The mountain Democrat., 1864-05-28
"Ay! ay!" cried Finn, gaily yet trem-

1t was proper and natural that the poor
fisherman should be awkward and alarm
ed before two boat loads of soldiers
The coarse brutes enjoyed what they
thought was the trepidatiOn and energy Of
fear, and as they stood up, their boats
reeled under their shouts Of laughter, as
the fishermaA's skif, urged by his nerv-
Gus arm, shot towards them.
A scream from the lubbers! a splash !!
The awkward fishers clumsy boat has
struck their bows, with its whole momen.
tum, and awkward soldiers fall over the
gunwalc all around into the sea. Nor is
there less confusion among the other skitf
load of soldiers. Their boat dipped water
first over one Of its sides, then over the
other, as the soldiers swung their arms,
and swayed. and fell upon each other, in
vain attempts to succor their drowning
brethren. What another accident! The
awkward and frightened fisherman had
taken a sudden sweep, and run into them
! too. And now he is pulling away for dear
life, without a thought for the safety of
the soldiers Of Denmark What! head
peeping over the side Of the fisherman S
,boat-a woman's head Never mind the
men verboard-pursue
But the oars have all been thrown to
the drowning men.
" Fire upon them!"
But the muskets have fallen overheard
with their owners or from their armS-or
they are in the bottom Of the boat-in
soak.
i
That night the fisherman and his wife
laughed long but not loud, for there might
have been listeners. The good man Finn
never made any inquiries about the sol
diers who had taken cold bath and as
all were saved they did not care to bruit
their own discontinue by single stupid
fisherman, and as be was too modest to
! boast Of his victory to any body but his
wife, the honest couple lived on in quiet
and content, until they had almost forgot.
ten the adventure.
On an April morning, six years from
! that of the shipwreck, party of soldiers
entered the fisherman's cabin. Without
the waste Of a word, they were seized and
bound, hurried into carriage, conveyed
to a seaport, embarked on board vessel,
and confined in small cabin, where their
bonds were taken off They were treated
with kindness, but not allowed word of
communication with any person. The
sailor who brought them food did not un.
derstand word of the Danish language,
and never opened his mouth to speak to
them.
Thus they sailed-to t. en- it seemed
many tedious days--for they could not
help connecting the adventure with their
succOr to the beautiful outlaw and her
children. The rattle of cordage, and the
tramp Of men on deck told the practiced
ear Of Finn that the voyage was ended
But to what purpose? They were hur-
ricd from their floating prison TO a close
carriage-the horses dashed away for an
hour-the carriage stopped. They were
led from one surprise to another. In a
magnificent apartment, amid glare Of
light, the poor fisherman and his wife
confronted an array of noblcs and ladies
clad in all the gorgeousness which in that
age marked the difference between prince
aud peasant.
"You arc the fisherman, Finn ?"
For the first time the fisherman and his
wife, in their confusion, saw that there
were grades Of rank even among the no.
bles who blazed before them, in what
seemed to the poor peasants almost the
majesty Of Heaven. The parsonage who
in q stern voice uttered the above ques.
ton, alone was seated.
81 am that man." the poor fisherman
tremblinsly replied.
You live on the SeacoaSt Of Denmark,
near the village of Lorgen
Finn bowed assent.
"You extended hospitality to woman
and to two prescribed children?"
1" | did,"
Without regarding the edict which
put price on their heads, you not only
frustrated the vengeance of the Danish
people, but audaciously and alone diScom.
/ fitted and overturned two boat loads Of
soldiers sent in pursuit Of the fugitives ~
A smile Of gr0tesque triumph at the
success Of an encounter under such odds,
lighted the Danes eye a moment-then u
shade of sadness crossed his features
"The tale, though marvellous, is ex'
actly true"
"And do you know" continued his
questioner, with increased sternness in
his manner, "what penalty you have in
Cured ?"
"Death !" answered the hero, his form
erect, and his first confusion and fear en-
tirely thrown of.
And do you know who were the pro
scribed whom you dared to Savei"
Il knew her majesty Isabella, the wife
of Christian, my sovereign. knew equal
ly we'll the two children, for if their Orna.
ments had not betrayed them, the edict
against them told me who they were. If
have merited death, my life is in your
hands"
And the wife of the fisherman dragged
him almost resisting to his knees beside
her. A murmur ran through the assem-.
bly-they thought it was their death war
rant.
"Thou hast noble and worthy heart
Finn" said the interrogation, in kinder
voice. ave have but practiced this ap-
parent harShness to be sure Of thy iden-
uty. An imposter might have claimed
thy good deeds-no imposter could have
braved death as thou hast done. Thou
hast saved, at the peril Of thy life, the
we'll, beloved sister and nephew Of the En-
peror Charles Fifth. Charles is no in.
grate-rise, Finn, and kiss the hand tina;
he presents thee. Fortune and honor at
tend thee; express but wish, aud | swear
its qualification"
"Sire," replied the fisherman, al am
old. l have neod only of a cabin by the
seashorc, If have done well in perform
ing the duties of a faithful subject, in sa-
wing the lives of my fellow creaturcs-in
exposing my own life for my sovereign
are not the words of appreciation which
have heard from your majesty sufficient