The literary echo. (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1851, 1851-05-22

the publican, threw gold coin on the ta-
BILE, and said ''This is for the wine these
good folks have drank they are my guests.
But now, ,"he continued addressing the rob
bers, '' it is time to sleep, In the a1join-
ing room is sick lady; the entertain
m5nt has lasted long onou-h; cannot
allow any one longer to occupy this room
Or disturb the lady's rest by noise"
at this imperative command, one IF the
robbers jumped from his seat, and COM
temptuously laughing, cried out :-"Does
the gontloman fancy that because he has a
carriage and four, and plenty of money in
his pocket, he has a right to command
US :"
Anuproar followed. The men yocifera
ted: " We are poor lads, and, therefore,
We are masters here"
=" We arc no timorous peasants, who take
off our hats to every gontloman."
" We have yet money and credit enough
to swallow draught when we are thirsty" "
" We do not accept any gifc from people
who fancy themselves better than we are. "
/" We will not be ruled"
All this was almost simultaneously ut
tered, with loud tumu]t, from all sides
All the robbers mad got up. The Prince
mechanically caught ho.d Of the pistols,
and threw off his cloak
/ am master of the craft of which
YOU are but apprentices" he exclaimed
with dignity. " You are robbers; | am a
soldier, and fear neither the mouth Of a III
ae nor the edge of an axa'
Du.ing this uproar, man Of middling
height and strongly-markod features had
;s.n from the bench beside the stove,
where he had quietly sat during the whole
time, without partakia4 Of the wine. He
now said ia a commanding tone:
"Siience !!
The robbers grew sp2cchless at this Or
Ter, and again sat down to the table.
'lIr. Officer" continued the man, "l)n't
,hink that you f.ightsn us. | too have
been a soldier, and have most probably
smelt more powder than YOU ever did
am Habucak. If desired TO do you
my har,n, single whistle would suffice.
III. table at which you have sat would b.
)verthrown, the caudle5 extingui he'd, and
before YOU wore aware OF what WAS going
IN, YOU would be dead man, no less
tltn your servant there at the window,
who thinks he watches us, whilst we watch
aim. But | saw you help q lady out Of
the carriage, and take her to the adjoining
.oom. We never will disturb lady's
rest We war with men, not with woman.
For the present we shall leave this shelter
yet, remember, sir, that it is the first time
for fortnight that these men have been
undc:a roof, and that the couch here be-
low on the damp oak-loaves is by no means
comfortable. Farewell !"
"Friends, let us go," he ca led to his
men. They took up their arms and went.
The Prince WIS greatly struck by the
whole proceeding. He did not entirely
trust the robbers wor' and relieving
his servant, they paced up and down, thus
keeping watch the whole night. But no
yobber again appeared.
On the morrow, the lady continued the
,ou'uoy with her companion. The wealth
,r had cleared up, and only tho pudles
in III lanes, ani the drops OF rain gliston-
jn., on the branches, reminded tham Of IL,
clouds of tn previous day. After they
had iil,a . 81. an hou., th,y suddenly
heard tho discharge Of lie clos, to them
10 the woods. Habutak stepped forth
fom tho.bushes and bid the coachman
halt.