Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-09-08

way backward. When he had reached |
them he painted out, "Got no matches!"
thew all looked blank at this dilemma Ted
die searched all four of his pockets, and
shook his head. Bat had none The pros
pect of failure was overwhelming.
"Oh, lookn' said Teddy, who had never
ceased to explore every possible place on
his person where match might lodge;
and he gave a sudden flash in the sunlight.
The sun-glass!" exclaimed Lud. do
YOU think that it will do?'
"Of course" replied Teddie, holding it
to him. But Lud did not extend his hand.
..its yours. you take it," he said. Teddie
turned to Bat.
Bat said; Il can't do notin' wild dat
thing; ! want you to make fire wild it,
Marse Teddie.
"And I have done my part" added
Lnd.
Il found dc ness fust," Bat said. rs if
his duty was entirely discharged. Teddie
saw that his turn had rightfully come, and
made no further appeals.
But suppose there isn't any sun there?'
he said, after a moments hesitation.
"IIi" cried Bat Il see de sun shinin
OF de very ness"
| There was no excuse for delay, so Ted
die crawled to Lud's former position and
held the glass to the hot rays which poured
down between the thin leaves. His hand
trembed 4 little but he soon got the prop
er focus, and the slow match, taking fire,
began to splitter little sparks.
Teddie scurried back to the other boys
! ''Wait till de match mos burnt wills.
pered Bat, clutching Lud by the arm
The words were scarcely out of his mouth,
when there was a mutflel explosion. The
nest was thrown up against the limb with
out coming loose, and Immediately took
fire and blazed up. The boys had not
time to turn before the air was filled with
hornets which hummed like so many min
nie-balls, and come almost as fast. The
buzzing throng was upon them before the
unlucky lads had time to realize their dan
ger.
Teddie running back ward, fell over 4
bush. and two hornets flew up his paut;l-
looms. Bat turned to fly, when a hornet,
coming as straight as bullet struck him
in the back of his head and lodged there
and the young darkey went to the ground
as if he were shot dead.
Lud. being somewhat behind the others,
gained a little distance. and had the pres.
ence of mind to throw his jacket over his
head but he got stung on his hand as he
did So and one Just above the waistband.
of his pantaloons.
By the time he touched the ground, Ted
die was up again with a yell, and flew
across the field as fast as he could. Bat
made a somerset which crushed the hornet
in his hair. and then he fled, with both
hands to his head, and slid between two
rails of the fence. Lud threw himself flat
| J.. Il 81
ed that the hornets had all disappeared.
which they soon did. either passing on OF
returning to hover about their ruined
home.
The boys met where pathway crossed
a little stream Teddie. still crying, was
bathing his leg Bat, who had heard OF
such remedy. was seated on the bank, with
a mess of wet mud from the stream in a
pile on his head. while the tricklins mud
ran down his neck, and the tears streamcd
down his face
Il amt gwine fool wild dem things nc
mo'-hcre," he snutfled
"What did You have the match so short
for?' cried Lud. rubbing first his hant
and then his back
The forlorn boys stlid som time at the
stream, trying to make the best Of theil
SunS~. ana lntn started nome, resolving
to put the best face on the matter for fe:.l
of a Seeding. They met the Major (Bat ,:
old mastery in the road. on his way t,
dinner, and telling their adventure, Gainct
his sympathy.
The boys were really quite badly hurt
and it WAS some days before the swelling
completely subsidized.
When Bat made his appearance in the
kitchen the cook gave him u glance of un
utttrabc contempt.
What You been doing wild Your head
all full o NUDE
"IIornick~," replied the..creSt f,l.en Bat
ST. NicholdS Jor -4uguSt.