The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-08-26

II shouldn't have cared for:rolling down
If it hadn't been for this bush. The
fern was soft enough. FL never stay
away IN woods at night again There,
free at last! And my jacket nearly torn
off my back" !"
With good deal of patience and a
great many. scratches, he got free of the
thorn that had arrested his progress
when llis feet were within a yard of the
water, manages to scramble up the bank,
and makes the best of his way through
the dark dreary wood.
And now, MS the clouds move slowly
onward tho moon shows her face on the
black surface of the water, and the little
white owl comes and hoots and frtters
over it like wandering snow drift. But
is in the wood again, and inows nothing
of the danger he has escaped.
All this time the dark passenger fol-
lows the main track, and believes that
the boy is before him. At last he hears
crashing of dead boughs, and presently
the little midshipman's voice, not twenty
yards before him. Yes, it is true; the
boy is in the cross track. He will pass
the cottage in The wood directly, and,
after tnat his pursucr will come upon
him.
The boy bounds into the path, but as
he sees the cottage, he is thirsty and so
hot that he must ask the inhabitants If
if they can sell hin glass of ale.
lie enters without ceremony aAle ?''
says the wood,nan, who is sitting at his
supper. "No, we have no ale; but per-
haps my wife CAN give thee drink Of
milk. Como in
So he comes i'll and shuts the door,
and whilo he. is waiting for the milk
footstcp, pass.
They are the footsteps of the pursuer,
who goes on with his stake in his hand
angry and impatient that he has not yet
Come up with. HIM.
The woman goes to the dairy for the
milk and the boy thinks that she is gone
long time. He drinks it, tlluusls her,
and then takes his leave.
Faster and faster the man runs after
him. 1t is very dark, but there is yell
low streak in the sky, where the moon is
blowing up u furrowed mass of grey
clouds and one or two stars are blinking
through the trees.
Fast the boy follows, and fast the man
runs on, with the weapon in his hand
Suddenly he hears the joyons whoop--
not before, but behind him He stops
and listens uoisesly.--Yes, it is so. He
pushes and raises his stake, when the
boy shall pass. On ha 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 very jaws of death to listen
II is the sound of wheels, aud it draws
rapidly nearer.
a man comes up, driving,a gig
"Halloa,' he says, in loud, cheerful
voice ''What, benishted, youngster %
"Oh, is it you, Mr.. D." says the
boy. mo, I'm not benightcd; or, u,
any rate, know my way out OF the
woods"
The man drew back farther among
the bushes.
"Why, bless the boy," says the farm
er, "to think o. our meeting in thi.
way. The parson told me he was in
hopes Of seeing thee some day this week
r". - 80 ,:r Tr: ,-i =
to be in this time of night"
"Lonc?:" says the boy laughing ~
don't mind that; aud, wish you the way
it's as safe MS the quarter deck"
So he gets into the farmers gig, ant
is once more out Of reach of the pursuer
But he man knows that the farmer,
house is quarter of n mile nearer thar
the parsonage, and in that quarter of ;
mile there is stiH change of committing
robbery. He determined still to make
tho attempt, and cuts across the wood
with such rapid strides that he reaches
the farmers gate just as the gig drives
up to it.
"Well, thank you, farmer,' says thc
m;dshipman, as he prepares to get dowr
: from the wagon.
81 wish you good night, gentlemen,
says the man when he passes.
"Good night, friend, /" the fnrmcr ro