The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-10-31

AN%A AAOL1 tLO PcyCAIA hNhb W." -
quietly with him. Fortunately be lay
stone dead, and did not kick | lay mo-
tionless on bis body and waited for fur
ther developments. Two men with car
bines in their hands emerged from the
thicket and came rapidly toward me-
When they were within ten feOt of me |
rose and called upon them to surrender,
as [ was anxious to learn the cause of this
unpr0voked attack, there being nothing
in my appearance, I thought to suggest
the idea of booty. But the rascals, who
evidently thought me dead were so terri
fed that they beat a hasty retreat towards
the woods, so l was obliged 70 send a
couple of bullets after them to stop them;
and, being an Indifferent good shot, they
did stop, and unless some good Christian
gives them burial, they are likely to stop
for some time"
"You shot them both 2" stammered
the landlord and bis teeth chartered and
he grew very pale, all but the tip Of his
noae, which, from contrast with the rest
Of his face, looked redder than ever.
"What would you haze had me done?"
asked the soldier, in his usual careles tone.
"Tbey might have fred with better
success at some other poor devil of trav.
eler, who might aos have got of so easily
as l did"
"What could have possessed them to
have fred on you?" exclaimed the land
lord, and 1t almost appeared that be was
asking himself the question as much as he
did the soldier.
Precisely the question I asked myself
returned the soldier; and since you have
mentioned the expected arrival of the
young Baron of RaveDsburg, think, l
have cine. to the whole affair. Some
outlaws, having heard Of the Barons jour
ney, have formed a plan to waylay him.
These two men were sent out as scouts
to apprise the others Of his approach
Seeing solitary hOrseman approach, they
concluded to piunder little on their on q
account. As [ vas not molested further
on mJ way hlther, the rendezvous of the
band must be beyond there, consequently
the Baron will reach this house in safety.
Now, if you cannot accommodate me with
bed / shall take up my quarters tonight
upon this bench, for | know something of
his family, Of the danger which threatens
him"
The landlord gazed curiously at bis al.
ceremonious guest. There was DO mis-
taking the man. Courage and determin-
alton were highly stamped upon his fair
features.
You are an officer 2" he said inqui-
ringly.
YES"
Captain" 2"
Exactly"
"Disbanded 7"
"No."
The quiet smile that accompanied this
answer bewildered the landlord. In fact,
the captain was an enigma that the wor-
thy host of the "Tra7eler's Rest" found it
impossible to solve.
The appearance of the maid of the hos
telry with flask Of wine and the refresh
ments the Captain had orderded, inter
rupted the conversation.
The host whispered to the CIR, and then
hurried away.
hat did he say to you ?" asked the
captain, abruptly, fixing his keen eyes up
on the girls face.
'To wait upon you while he went up to
the monastery T. answered the girl en-
besitatingly.
''The monastery ?" rejoined tie Cap
tain, leisurely inspecting the contents of
the flask of Rhenish, which seemed to be
much to his satisfaction. "That old ruin
upon the hill yonder. Is it then occu-
pied p
ooh, yes; about a year ago party of
wandering mouks, whose manastery had
been destroyed by the soldiers ofthe league
occupied it and they have remained ever
since. They call themselves the "Black
Brotherhood of St Bruno" And very pi-
Gus and self-denying men they aIe, too.
They keep wrapped up in an odor of
sanc:ity all the time. They never hold
any communication with the world with
out nos.ranger is admitted beneath their
walls and whenever one of the brother.
hood comes out, he always has bis black
cowl drawn closely over his face. Though
| have been here as long as they have, [
ueveryet saw one with his face uncovered" !"
~ thought you said your uncle was 60
I ing there 2" remarked the captain, care
lessly slipping his wine.
"Oh he only goes to the porters wick
ct; he never goes in. He supplies the
monks with food"
"Aud how many bottles of this capital
wine month %
81 am sure | Go not know how many,
out | know that we have more empty
aasks at the end of the week than the