The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-05-20

yard of the water, MANAGES to scramble to the
bank. snd makes the beat Of his way through the
wood.
All this time the dark stranger is following the
main track, and believes that the boy is before
him. At last he hears crushing of dead
boughs, and presently the little midshipman's
voice fifty yards before him. Yes, it is true the
boy is in the cross track. He will pass tn. cot
tags in the wood directly, and after that his pur-
suer will come upon him.
The boy bounds into the path but as he sees
the cottage he is thirsty, and so hot that he
thinks he must ask the inhabitants if they can
sell him glass of milk.
he enters without ceremony, and while he
sits waiting for the milk footsteps pass They
are the footsteps of hispursuer, who goes on with
the stake in his hand, angry and impatient that
he has not yet come up with him.
The woman goes to the dairy for milk. and the
boy thinks she is gone ii long time. He drinks
it, thanks her, and takes his leave
Fast and faster the man runs after him.
1t is very dark; but there is yellow streak
in the sky, where the moon is blowing up fur
rowed mass of gray 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. de pushes himself into the tbicket and
raises his stake ready to strike when the boy
shall pass.
On he comes, running lightly with his hands
in his pockets. A sound strikes at the Same
time the ears of both, and the boy turns back
from the very jaws of death to listen. 1t is tho
sound of Wheels and it draws rapidly nearer A
man comes up, driving gig. "Hillo. !" he says,
in a loud cheerful voice. What, benighted,
youngster 7"
'Oh, is it you, Mr.. DIP says the boy "no,
| am not benghted; or, at any rate, know my
way out of the woods
The man drew further back among the shrubs.
"Why, bless the boy" he heard the farmer saw,
ito think of our meeting in this way? The par
son told me he was in hopes of seeing thee some
day this week I'll give thee lift This is
lone place to be IN this time ongh..'
Lone says the boy, laughing, "[ don't mind
that; and If you know the way It's as safe as
quarterback
So he gets into the farmers gig and is once
more out Of the reach of the pursuer But the
man knows that the farmers house is quarter
OF mile nearer than the parsonage, and in that
quarter Of mile there is still chance of com.
uniting robbery. He determined still to make
the attempt, and outs across the wood with such
rapid strides that he reaches the farmers gate
just as the gig drove up 10 it,
"Well, thank you, farmer" says the midship.
man, as ne prepares to get down.
IL wish you good night, gentlemen" says the
man, when he passes
Good night, friend" the farmer replied. 81
say, my boy, it's 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 serpent ~
The little wheels go on again. They pass the
man, and he stands still by the side of 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 been frustrated-ths
thoughtless boy has baffied him at every step.
And now the little midshipman is at home :;
the joyful meeting has taken place. and when
they have all admired his growth, and decided
whom he is like, and 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 !" said the boy, seated between
father and mother on sofa. why, ma, 1 did
write you an account of the voyage, and there's
nothing else to tell. Nothing happened to-day
or at least nothing particular.
"You came by the coach we told you Off"
ooh, yes, papa, and when We got about twenty
miles, there came up beggar, while we were
changing horses, and threw down las 1 thought)
shilling; but as it fell saw 1t was sovereign
She was very honest, and showed me what it
was, but 1 didn't take it back, for you know
mamma, it 10 long time since gave anything
to anybody"
"Very true, my bsy," his mother answered {;
"but you should not be careless with your mo-
ney, and few beggars are worthy objects of
charity"
81 suppose you got down at the crossroads ?"
said his elder brother
Eyes, and went through the woods. should
have been here sooner, if l hadn't lost my way
there"
"Lost your way!' said the mother alarmed ::
my dear boy, you should not have left the path
after dusk"
"Oh, ma" said the little midshipman, with a
smile, ''you are always thinking Of danger. If
you could see me sometimes sitting at the jib.
boom end, or across the main-topmast cross-tree,
you would be frightened But what danger can
there be in wood ~
swell, my dear boy" she answers, II dom
want to be over-anxious, and make my children
uncomfortable by my fears. What did yon stray
from the path for?"
"Only to catch little owl, mamma but
didn't catch her. after all got roll down a
bank, and caught my jacket against thornbush,
which was rather unlucky. All three large
holes see in my sleeve. And 80 scrambled u D
again, and got into the right path, and asked at
the cottage for some milk. What long time
the woman kept me, to be sure I thought it
would never come But very soon after Mr. -
drove up IN his gig, and he broaght me on to
the gate"
"And SO, this account of your adventures be-.
ing brought to close" his father says, 1--WE dis.
cover there are no adventures to tell ?"
NO papa, nothing appened-nothing partic-
ular, mean"