Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-10-28
ast! And my jacket nearly torn off my

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backw
With good deal Of patience. and u
great many scratches. he gets tree of tho
thorn which had arrested his progress
when his ioet were within yard Of the
water, manages to scramble to the bank
and makes the best OF his way through,
the wood.
And now, rs the clouds move slowly
onward. the moon shows her lace on the
black surface Of the water and the little
white owl comes and hoots, and hutters
over it like wandering snow drift. But
the boy is in the wood again, and knows
nothing of the danger from which he has
escaped.
All this time the dark passenger follows
the main track, and believes that the boy
is before him. At last he hears crash.
ing OF dead boughs, and presently the
midshipman's voice not fifty yards before
him. Yes, it is too true the boy is in
the cross track. He will pass the cottage
in the wood directly, and after that his
pursuer will come upon him.
The boy bounds into the path but as no
sees the cottage. he is thirsty, aud so hot. 4.
that he thinks he must ask the inhabitants
if they can sell him n glass Of ale.
He enters without ceremony. "Ale p"
says the woodman. who is sitting Mt his
supper. NO, we have no ale; but per-
haps my wife can give thee drink OF
milk Come in.n So he comes in and
shuts the door. anil while he sits waiting
for the milk. footsteps pass. They arc
the footsteps OF his pursuer, who goes on
with the stake in his hand. angry and i'm.
patien, that he has not yet come up with
him.
The woman goes TO the dairy for the
milk, and the boy thinks she is gone 4
| long time. He drinks il thanks her and
takes his leave.
Fast and faster the man runs after him.
1t is very dark; but there is n yellow
streak in tho sky, where the moon IS
ploughing upa iurrowed mass OF grey
clouds. and one or two stars are blinking
through the branches OF the trees
Fast the boy follows, and fast the man
runs on, with his weapon in his hand
Suddenly he hears the joyous whoop-not
before, but behind him. He stops and
listens noiselcssly. Yet, it is so. He
pushes himself into the thickct, and rails
es his stake. when the boy shall pass.
On he comes. running lightly, with his
hands in his pockets. A sound strikes at
the same instant on the ears OF both; and
the boy turns back from the jaws Of death
to listen 1t is the sound Of wheels. and
it draws rapidly nearer. A man comes
up, driving gig. "IIilloa - he says, in
loud. cheerful voice. What, benight-
ed. youngster?" ?"
"Oh. is it you. Mr.. D." says the
boy mo. am not benighted; or, at any
rate, know my way out Of tho woods
The man drew farther back among the
shrubs. why bless the boy" he hears
the farmer say. Ito think of our meeting
in this way! The parson told me he was
in hopes Of seeing thee some day this
week. I'll give thee lift. This is
lone place TO be il this time onight.
Lone ?" says the boy laughing. 81
don't mind that; and. ii you know the
way, it's rs safe as the quarter deck.
So he gets into the farmers gig, and is
once more out OF the reach of the pur.u
er.. But the man knows that the farm.
er's house is a quarter of mile nearer
than the parsonage, and in that quarter
of mile there is still chance Of COM
hitting robbery. He determined still to
make the attempt, and cuts across the
wood with such rapid strides that he
reaches the farmers gate just rs the gig
drives up TO it.
well, thank you, ialmer," says the
midshipman, as he prepares to get down.
81 wish you good night. gentlemen"
says the man. when he passes.
Good night, friend the farmer re.
plies, II say, my boy, it's a dark night
enough; but have mind to drive you
on TO the parsonage. and hear the rest OF
this long tale of yours about the sea SER
pent."
The little wheels 60 on again. They
pass the man; and he stands still in the
road to listen till the sound dies away
Then he filings his stake into the hedge.
and goes back again. His evil purposes
have all been frustrated-the thoughtless
boy has bafilcd him at every step.
And now the little midshpman is at
home the joyful meeting has taken place.
and when they have all admired his
growth. and decided whom he is like, land
measured his height on the window-frame
and seen him eat his supper, they begin
to question him about his adventures,
more for the pleasure Of hearing him
talk than any curiosity.
"Adventures!" says the boy, seated
between his father and mother on sofa.
"Why, ma. did write you an account OF
the voyage, and there's nothing else 10
tell Nothing happened today-at least
nothing particular"
"You came by the coach, we told you
Of" asks his father.
80. yes, papa; and when VIC got about
iunnir inilas thorn nan,a Nm q haOOar