, 1875-01-03

shock. that was al / could expect or hope for.
reached homo weak and hungry, for I had not
bad enterprise enough to cock anything for N.Y.
sell, and bad eatan nothing but bread ali tho
rant smell Of cooking from the kitch-
en-, and, entering, found David standiue
| over capital FIRE, his face glowing
in the blaze, "causht some trouts for
your supper. Captain" quoth David. Delicious
they wero' those crisp brown trout, to hungry,
weary man. David waited upon me- with graft
fed pride, aud urged On to eat still more and
more hot from the pan. He had come to tha
conclusion, he told me- after supper, to which be
had been prompted bv his wife, that he must
come and 1ook after me- and assist in the de-
tense OF the house, aud he would employ his
leisure Qaoments in looking after my hshlng-
tackle, and trying some particularly killing flies
for our next fishing expedition. Was very glad
of David's company. Tor had felt the strain Ut
loneliness aud isolation very much that day.
After supper, David produced truss OF straw.
and spread it over the oven and about tho kitch-
en- fire to dry.
Whats that for. Dayid?" asked.
livery likely I sleep in it, +" he replied, winking
knowingly.
There wsre plenty OF beds up-stairs, told
him but he went on in his operations with the
straw.
We had quiet night, but the patient got very
Little sleep a1 first, being nervous and fright
eued when I was out OF her sight, so that I took
my rest in armchair by hor bedside, and after
that she had some refreshing alumber. Day.
bieak brought our besiegers back again but
this time there we're three OF them, and they
carried among them something that took to be
ladder.
woks David and set him On the alert, and
went over the house once more to see that al
vas safe. David took up his position upon
table in the little c:oset-chamber, with his head
out OF the skylsht accommodating the neighoor-
hood. Suddenly heard him close the skylishi
and hurry down stairs. "Come along. Capta tain,"
he cried, II shall show you some fun" ]
followed him into the back kitchen, where there
was vide open chimney OF tho old-fashioued
sort. Upon its hearth WAS now piled
dried laat night. scramblins sound mas
hoard IN the chimney, and the bottom
OF Light ladder appeared, gently lowe1cd down.
Come you then. boys!" shouted David up tha
straw. which blazed up dercely. We heard
loud cry OF Eage and pain. and quick scram-
bling up the chimney. David laughed detiantly.
PLENTY more fire. down here ho cried and
dragged the captured ladder into the kitchen.
The enemy suddenly retahated By throwing soma
water down the chimney. But David did not
care for that; he had reserve Of d1r strnw ready
to set fire to il any further attempt were made.
They presently abandoned any active means to
gain an entrance, and contented themselves
wish strict blockade; but it WAS very nArrow
thing that attempt Oh the chimney, and il David
had not been warned ovez night BY the man they
borrowed tho ladder from it wodld have as
suredlY succeeded.
It was necessary now for David to make 3
sortie. 1Te had. not sent to the Post 0f6ce
during two days, and it WAS just possible thas
there might be lying there an answer TO one or
other OF the letters I had written. Tho POST
Office was milea away, aud David could no. bs
back in much less than three hours. Tho fear
was. that seeing the garrison so much weaseneL
the boeiege1s might make an attack On all sldes
at once. >
But the time of his absence passed quietly
enough, and David's honest face appeared on
the lawn IN front Of the house long before
expected to see it.
II can't como in, Captain" be cried; "for
they mean to make q rush upon me but let
down bit OF cord nth q hook at the end quiet
II out ct the window"
This line Of communication, which Was invisi-
tabliahed, and David. fixed the hook
into little bundle Of 1etters, which
quickly hoisted up. Two weza
excuses from friends" Awful1y sorry, 80 very
short themselves" and go on. The third, no
handwriting Was it !? I .oIe it hastily open, and
read: "Dear Harry, just come home On 1uriough
aboc: the affairs Of this blessed bank Things
are not 60 bad as they said. Tom Brown has just
shown me your letter. Here aro ESQ in notes to
to morrow" Sure enough, inside tho letter
we're ten nice crisp Bank of England :s5 notes.
ran down and threw wide open the hall-docs,
letting in tho mir and blessed sunshine.
''Are you mad, Captain" cried David, as my
three foes camo rushing down upon me.
"stand orr cried, making play with my
fists, and keeping them at distance. ''Whas
do you want7"
.'Five and forty pounds, halfa-year's rent.
for Mr.. Tranter. and expenses" gasped Motris,
preparing for another 1uah-
.sHere's the money for the rent-nov give ma
receipt. No; not inside the house." ! s.id.
Mr. Norris knelt down on the gravel to write
his receipt. ''Aud e1peases, si1 pounds ten"
he said, looking up.
..For which yon will apply to your employer"
David, who had been looking On wondering,
hore cut q caper high ip the air. Morris drew
his men away sullenly, and thus ended the siege
Of Brynmor.
Next day my father came down, confident and
cheerful Things we're bad enough, bnt there
was the chance Of something being saved ont OF
the wreck. In the meantime he must stop in
harness for another five years. Tor me be had
the offer Of the editorBhip OF an Indian newsDa-
per that was being established at Lahore, IN Of
fer ] gladly accepted And in duo time left
Brynnor with all the honors OF war, and found
myself with my wife and babe embarked for the
wondrous land OF Inde.-Chdm0ers Journal.