Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-15


50 We are to be attacked, it seems"
The mans bold face fell blank.
By the powers, yer honor, l haven't
the value of an ounce of pouther in the
house. ] meant to get some the morrow
morning afore you were up"
Mohun shrugged his shoulders, whist
ling softly.
MAN proposes" he said. "It's al
most a pity we found SO many cocks in
the lower copse this afternoon. l have
fifteen charges or SO in my pistol case
We must make that do, loading the rifles
light"
Then he went to the window, whence
he could see down the road the moon
was shining brightly.
81 thought so; they have scouts post
ed already. The barbarians know some
thing of skirmishing after all. Maddox
come here"
The groom was strong English boy,
very much afraid of his master, but of
nothing else on earth.
Saddle Sunbeam, and go out by the
back gates, keeping well under the sha-
dow of the trees. When you clear them,
ride straight at the rails at the end OF the
paddock. You'll get over with a scram-
bic, think. Keep fast hold of his head
you mustn't fall Then make the best
of your way to A, and tell Col.
Harding, with my compliments, that l
shall be glad if he will send over troop
as quickly as possible. They ought to
be here in two hours. And, mind, don't
have him lamed if you can help it. You'll
have to risk bullet or two as you get
into the road but they can't shoot. It's
odds against their hitting you. Now
60.
The groom pulled his forelock as il
the most ordinary commission had been
given him, and vanished.
Connel," Ralph went on, " go and
saw the ladders that are in the yard hall
through. They will hardly try the bar
red windows; but it looks more work.
manlike to take all precautions. Ther
come back, and help Fitz to pile chairs
and furniture all up the staircase, ant
about the hall near it. Line the gallery
with matterasses, two feet deep, leaving
spaces TO fire through. Light all tht
lamps, and get more candles to fix about
we shall not see very clearly after tn
first dozen shots. When you have fin
ished come to me. Now shall we g
back to dinner ?"
/ am not ashamed to own I had littl
appetite; nevertheless, sat down. Kat
had gone to her room. If her courag
was failing she did not wish to show it.
Suddenly our host got up and went t
, the window. His practiced ear ha
caught the tread of the horse which Mad
dox was taking out as quickly as poss
BILE. We watched him stealing alon
under the trees till their shelter faile
him. Then he put Sunbeam to speet
and rode boldly at the rails. A yell wei
= up from the road, and we saw dark fe
- ures running: then come shot, just {
Il the horse was rising at the fence. b
T. bit it hard and the splinters few up whit
in the moonlight, but he was over. W
{ held our breath, while several flash,
/ told of dropping shots after the fugitiv
= They did not stop him, though; and,
" our great relief, we heard the wild ru:
of the frightened horse, subside into
il long, stretching gallop, and the viii
brought back cherry hollo-' Forr' ar
o F orr ard away p
So far 50 good,' said Ralph Mohu
!" as he sat down again, and went in steaC
ly at a woodcock. Don't hurry you
II selves, gentlemen. We have three qua
p ters of an hour yet; they will take til
g time to muster. Clontarf, some Hook
The boy to whom he spoke held Q
al his glass with a pleasant smile. I
coming peril had not altered tint up
Vi his fresh beardless cheeks-rosy a
Il as clear as a pages in one of the Be
cher's pictures.
A good contrast he made with
miserable attorney, who had followed
as uninvited Git seemed he only felt safe
h our presence,) and who was crouching
IT. corner, his lank hair plastered rou
. his livid convulsed face with the sweat
'er mortal fear.
1t struck Mohun, / think. He i
his head on Clontarfs shoulder, and spo
~ with kindliness of voice and mann
n's most unusual with him
:, Wen quell the savage mountaineer,
All As their Tinchell COWS the game;
He They come as feet as forest deer