Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-04-06

way of the Mediterranean-Take care
where are you goingY'
had thought to take advantage of thf
new path into which his troubled mind
had wandered, to divert our course lit
tie more shoreward; but his cunning
rowing eye was upon me in an instant.
1t is getting very hot here" / STAN
mered. 81 thought, perhaps, we should
find it cooler on shore.
Ah-hahl" he hissed, putting his face
so close to mine as to glare up into my
eyes under the very shadow of my wide
brimmed hat; you're traitor and a
hypocrite, like all the rest of EN-. But
I'm prepared for you Seel"
And with burst of laughter, so dis.
sonant that the very tide seemed to
tremble and culver, he flashed long
sharp knife in the air, describing circle
Of cleaning light round his head. Ny
blood seemed to turn to ice in my veins
as it dazzled across my vision.
/" Put up the knife, your Royal High
ness said, counterfeiting an off-hand
ease that | by no means felt. Where s
the use of it between friends2 Let's
talk about the Queen. "
was the more anxious to secure his
attention, as / saw moving figures on
the shore, scarcely half a mile away
from us, the hutter ofthe white handker-
chief, and then a total disappearance OF
the figures. Help was at hand, | felt
quite sure, if / could only maneuyer so
as to reach it.
"No, not about the Queen" said the
poor maniac; that grieves and afflicts
me-" He closed his knife as he spoke.
i" But, do you know" continued he, that
| am hauntedY
Haunted?" said |.
Yes, haunted by a horrible, ugly, old
woman-a witch, or ogress, female
fiend. Now, do you know" he said,
moving close up to me, and speaking in
a low, mysterious voice, "she won't let
me aloneY
"NoY
"She went. Sometimes she climbs
up among the stars at night, and she sits
there winking through my bedroom win
dows all night long. Sometimes she
comes jumping down from the clouds in
the rain-drops, and sometimes-there
she is now, with three pair of fins, and a
face like fsh'sP'
He uttered an eldritch screech, as he
looked down into the clear, shining
deeps
I" Let's escape from her' exclaimed,
vigorously seizing my oars. She can't
follow us on dry land, that's certain
Pull away"
No, she can't We might hide
among the woods, oEly, if she should
turn into squirrel and jump up and
down among the trees--she does, some
timesp .r..4
"Well, then, we'll borrow gun, and
dispose of her" said, pulling despe-
rately toward the shore, while the per
spiration, cold and clammy as midnight
dews, streamed down my temples.
What are you in such devilish
hurry for9' demanded my companion,
rather morosely. Hold hard little,
can't your"
| checked my exertions. Evidently he
was in no humor TO be trihed with
No hurry at ALL" said, as calmly
as possible; "only, you see, the old witch
is following you pretty closely, and"
We are too near the shore" he ut
tered, abruptly.
We were within few rods of the clus-
tering bushes that / knew contained
help. Oh, heaven, could / but have
reached their friendly shelter! How like
mass of lead my heart sank in my
bosom, as | saw him catch up the oars,
and strike out once more in contrary
direction.
But as he turned his head away, ]
caught up the sheathed knife, and flung
it hurling upon the shore.
Whats that?" he demanded, turning
quickly around
"Its your witch, / said as uncon-
cernedly as | could Don't you think
we ought to go ashore, and see what has
become of herY'
His eyes roved restlessly along the
green bank.
II don't know; what do you thinkT'
"Why, she is your enemy. No doubt
it was she who spread the report of your
death. You ought to address her in a
manner; and if you could
Dnce bring her to terms, what would pre-
vent You from assuming your proper sta
ion once more in EnglandY
That's very true. Here, head her in |
oward the land | wonder / never
hought of that before
Poor fever-brained lunaticl Even in
he consciousness of my own mortal !
peril, my heart ached for the crazy
lights of his sick fancy.
We were close to the friendly land; the /
ong, silver-green tresses of the willow
.lmost touched my throbbing forehead,
vhen my strange companion started TO
lis feet with a yell that aroused all the
choes floating over the peaceful lake
Traitor-spyl double-dyed villainl
-ou have been deceiving me. Your hire
ings lurk among youder bushes. But It
5 In vain the royalty Of England shall
ever fall a prey to base articles like
hese.
He sprang toward me ike an infuri-
ted tiger. AT the same instant the
hore seemed tobecome alive with hurry
ng figures: and with last impulse |
aught up the rope that lay coiled in the
ottom Of the boat, with one end affixed
o an iron hook, and threw It desperately
horeward Icouid see tall form plung-