The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-04-29

that was raging without. "What have
you TO do with that, you meddling, con-
ceited fool p said he, as he fixed his black
eyes, almost concealed by their overhang-
! ing brows, on the subject of his wrath
''Now, mark me, Master Gray, play off
no more of your jokes on me, This is not
! the first time have warned you, but it
will be the last" | learned afterward
/ that the gauger alluded to was Knox's
! halt-brother. who was supposed to have
met with his death by the hands of his
relation, his body being flung down a shaft
near the sea. What confirmed the suspi-
cion was that lie had frightful dreams
about his brother, and would tremble like
a child if left alone at night. Be that
as it might, however, fierce alteration
was now proceeding between Knox and
a friend of Gray's who had replied TO the
others threats, and serious consequences
might have ensued had not the attention
OF all been diverted by loud knocking at
the outer door. This seemed so unusual
an occurrence that the host hesitated TO
unbar the door, for never was a stranger
known to arrive there at such an hour,
and on such a night, too, for the rain was
still pouring i'll torrents. The knocking
continued, and although we were too many
to fear anything like personal danger, still
l could see an evident uneasiness spread
ing throughout the party. The knocking
was now fiercer than ever, and the host
was compelled TO unbolt and unbar As
the door opened, in stalked tall, weather.
shaggy great coat, and broad oil>skin
cap on his head.
What do you mean by this Z" he said,
dashng his hat upon the floor, and shak-
ing the rain from his coat like huge
water dog, excepting a traveller outside
your house on such a night"
AS he spoke, was heard heavy, boom
ing sound from the sea. "A wreck, a
wreck" shouted Knox, and instantly
dozen fellows were up and ready TO rush
like blood-hounds Oh their prey. keep
your places, you fools, cried the stranger;
''if she goes ashore it will be many miles
from here, with the wind in this quarter.
I've heard the guns some time, but she
has good offing yet, and she may manage
to keep off. I'd lay my life she is for
eign craft they are always in such
hurry to sing out"
The company had now seated them
selves and resumed their pipes, they like
wise took the liberty of scanning the new
arrival. There was nothing in his appear
ance very remarkable, beyond the fact
of his being tall, muscular man, having
short, black hair, and immense bushy
whiskers, meeting under his chin, together
with large, black eyes. Altogether, his
countenance was not an unpleasant one.
He did not apologize for his intrusion,
but called al once for his pipe and his
glass.
did you come from the Portreath
side" said Knox. The stranger took a
Whit and nodded assent. "Who brought
you across the moors %
"DJ you think no one can tread the
moors bat yourself and the louts of the
place ?" answered the stranger.
"None that / ever heard of, except the
DEVIL" said Knox, peering at the stranger
The latter laughed. ''The path is
dangerous by night said Thomas, ''few
strangers find the way alone" Then
am one of the few, for here | am,'' said
the stranger. give lived here, man and
boy, these forty years." said Knox, ''and
[ never knew stranger TO do that before.
And you must be stranger, for I've
never seen you before. Are you sure
of that 2" Knox scanned him attentively.
''You see, then, stranger can find his
ways IN these parts. l came by the
Gauger's Shati,' said he, significantly.
'Do you come here to mock me p said
the other, with furious imprecatlon 'if
you do, you had better return afore harm
comes to YOU ''You are a strong man"
said his opponent, ''but / am SO much
stronger that ! could hold you with one
arm on yonder fire until you were as black
as your own black heart. Come, If you
have a spark of courage, I'll put 1t now
to the test Courage! | fear neither
you nor the devil" 81 will wager you
this heavy purse of French louis d'ors
against that watch and ring that BELTS
thy finger so oddly, that you dare not 60
into yonder room alone and look on the
face YOU shall meet there. you are a
iuggler and a cheat" cried Knox. "Fll
have nothing further to say to thee
There's my gold," said he, throwing a
heavy purse on the table; ''look at it,
count it hundred as bright louis as
ever were coined in France, against your
watch aud ring not worth the half" The
eyes of the wrecker glistened at the bright
heap.
''What is the wager % he demanded.
eff you will dare to go in yonder room,
that l will raise the form of one whom
thou would 81 most dread to see.''
''I fear nothing, and believe you to be
a cheat"
"There's my gold.
ssTake the wager" cried several of
Knoxs friends, ''we'll see you have the
gold"
'sDone," cried Knox, with a sort of