Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-07-27
can say, but you please me, my pretty Boni-


drew her upon his knee, and imprinted a
kiss upon her cherry lips The girl freed
herself from his embrace and rctreated in
confusion, but she did not seem very angry
at the liberty the soldier had taken. 1t
was something to be handsome captain
even i'll those days.
The sound of approaching wheels now
attracted their attention, and a light trav-
cling carriage, drawn by two horses and
driven by postillion, and accompanied by
four out-riders, drove up to the hostelry.
The attendants opened the carriage door,
and a young man in the handsome uniform
of Papenheim's Dragons jumped out and
assisted an elegantly attired young lady
to alight from the carriage. They were
the Baron Ravensburg, Colonel in the I'm
perial service, and his sister, the Countess
Adalia.
The landlord, who had returned from the
monastery, welcomed them, and conducted
them in the hostelry, while two rough look
ing hostlers took charge of the carriage
The outriders stabbed their own animals
The Captain had observed all that had
passed with very attentive eye. He had
expected much larger escort. The lady
was without male, and the Baron had but
five attendants :; and yet the landlord told
him there was no accommodations. There
was something wrong.
| The Baron came in from the hostlery
followed by Bonita, bearing fresh flask Of
Rhensh
"Good evening, Captain" he said cour-
teously, touching his plumed beaver with
graceful action which bespoke the finished
cavalier, perhaps you will do me the fa-
vor to drink this flask Of Renish with me z"
"With all my heart" answered the Cap
tain cheerfuly mine is empty"
The Baron seated himself on the bench
and Bonita placed the flask and cups be-
fore them
Stay !" cried the Captain, as she was
going how many monks are there in
yonder convent, my pretty Bonita 2"
Twenty, think, Captain" she answer
ed.
Thank you that will do"
She went into the house. The Baron re-
garded the Captain attentivcly. His qnes-
ton about the Monks seemed to surprise
him.
Do you think of retiring from the world,
Captain" he laughingy inquired, and
taking up your abode in yonder monas-
tery?"
al? faith, not | !" He filled the cups in
that careless otf-handed manner which per-
vaded everything he did, and raised his to
his lips Your health, Baron Ravens
burg"
"You have the advantage of me-" ans
wered Ravensburg, as he responded to the
toast
"Oh call me Captain Bernard"
I l. Al
landlord tells me it was yours. | also saw
the bodies Of the men slain by you a mar
row escape, Captain By-the-way, are you
III the Imperial service y
Il am not To be frank with you, my
sword is at present at liberty"
Then take service with me. There is
something in your appearance that be-
speaks the gentleman and the soldier and
like you. There is a Majority vacant III
my regiment which | can promise you"
On my word. Baron, returned the Cap
tain, smiling good-humoredly, you do me
much honor on so brief an acquaintance
but we are likely. to serve together i'll a
sharp campaign, which is nearer than you
imagine Whether you or | shall take di
rection of the affair depends upon yourself
after you have heard what | have to tell
you"
"In Heavens name what do you meanT
exclaimed Baron Ravensburg in astonish-
ment
Softly--in a whispcr--there may be
long ears about us. In a word, we are in
den of cut-throats. Yonder old monas-
terry is occupied by band of robbers i'll
the disguise of monks The landlord Of
this hostelry is in league with them. They
have been apprised of your coming, and
will either attack you here, or tomorrow
upon the desola:e road beyond AS they
know that | am here from the landlord, and
may warn you, should not be surprised if
they assailed us here tonight"
"Good Heavens my poor Adalla |
care not if can save her, Twenty ofthem,
the girl said-and have but five men
twenty against skip
excuse me your calculation is erron-
eous. There are but eighteen against
seven. You have counted two who are
killed, and you have not counted me-"
You will aid me, then. My dear Cap
tain, this is generous"
"My dear Baron it is nothing of the kind,
| merely enter into an alliance with you
for our mutual benefit as you have the
strongest party tiio advantage 10 uColucuiy
upon my side, You they might possibly
plunder and suffer to depart, but me they
would certainly kill in revenge for their
comrades slaughter"
Captain, place the direction of this
affair in your hands--myself and people
are at your orders, What is your best
course OF action !"
"Invite me into supper with you when
the landlord announces that it is served.
will secure him. Then your people must
secure the hostlers and put them in safe
place. Then collect your whole force into
the house and let us barricade it to the
best of our ability Eighteen men will find
it difficult to dislodge seven, even out of
this small framework Having deprived
the robbers of all means of obtaining infor-
nation in regard to our plans, will make
the landlord divulge theirs. You have no
idea what a persuasive way have"
This plan was carried out to the letter,
and pistol held by the firm hand Of the
Captain at the head of the guilty and trem-
bling landlord, compelled him to divulge
ALL The Baron and his sister were to be
held for ransom, and the Captain killed, he
not being considered worth a ransom. When