The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-10-31

send Connen up: he is below some
where.
Thicker e. came. looking very much
surpris q. He had been In the stables,
and had only Just heard Of the dlstur-
bance.
..Get the rifles and guns ready, with
bullets and buckshot. his master said.
1--WE are TO be attacked. it seems
The mans bold face fell blankly.
BY the powers, yer honor, hav-
en- It the value of an ounce of p~oudther
in the house. | meant to get some
the morrow morning, afore ye were
up"
whistling softly.
Man propose he said. Its
almost "a pity We found so many cocks
in the lower copse this afternoon. l
have fifteen charges or SO in my pls-
toI-case. We must make hat DO,
leading the rifles light" Then he
went to a window. whence he could
see down the road; the moon was
shining brightly.
Il thought so they have got scouts
posted already. The barbarlans know
30 netting Of skirmishing after all.
Maddox, come here" THE groom
was a strong English boy, very much
afraid of his master, but OF nothing else
on EARTH Saddle Sunbeam, and go
out by the back gates. keeping well
under the shadow of the trees. When
you clear them, ride straight at the
rails at the end of the paddock. You'll
get owe with a scramble, l think.
Keep fast hold of his head-you mustn't
fall. Then make the best of your way
- IN Ill -nJ II,-l1r
with my compliments, that | shall be
glad if he VIII send over a troop as
quickly as possible. They ought TO be
spare the horse going, but bring him
back easv. You will be of no use
here. and | won't have him famed if |
can help it. You'll have to risk a bull
let or two as you get into the road /;
but they can't shoot. It's odds against
their hitting you Now CO."
The groom pulled his forelock as if
the most ordinary commission had
been given him, and vanished.
..Connell," Ralph wen on, ''go and
saw the ladders thai are in the yard
half through. They will hardly try
the barred windows; but it looks mor
workman like to take all precautions
Then come back, and help Fritz to pile
chairs and furniture all up the stair
case, and about the hall near it. Line
the gallery with mattresses, two deep,
leaving spaces to fire through. Light
all the lamps, and get more candles to
fix about we shall not see very clear
ly after the smoke of the first dozen
shots. When you have finished, come
to me. Now. shall we 90 back to din
ner:"
| an not ashamed to own had little
appetite nevertheless. | sat down.
Kate had gone to her room. If her
courage was failing, size did not wish
to show it.
Suddenly u host got UP aid went
to the window. His prs ctlsed ear had
caught the tread Of the horse which
Maddox was taking out as quietly as
possible. We watched him stealing
along under The trees till their shelter
failed him. Then he put Sunbeam to
speed, and rode boldly at the rails. A
yell went up from the road, and we saw
dark figures running then came a
shot, just as the horse vas rising at the
fence. He hit it hard, and the spiinters
flew up white in the moonlight, but
he was over. We held our breath,
while several flashes told of dropping,
shots after the fugitive. They did not
stop him, though and, to our great
relief, we heard the wild rush OF the
frightened horse subside into a long
stretching gallOp.and the wind brought
back a CHEEKY hollo-"Forrard, forr'-
ard away"
so far so good" said Ralph Mohun,
as he sat down again, and went in
steadily at a wood cock. Don't hurry
yourselves, gentlemen. We have
three-quarters of an hour yet they
will take that time to muster. ClOn-
tart. some hook"
The boy to whom he spoke held out
his glass with a pleasant smile. The
coming peril had not altered a tint on
his fresh, beardless cheeks-rosy and
clear as a pages in one of Boucher's
pictures.
A good contrast he made with the
miserable attorney, who had followed
us unlimited Git seemed he only felt
safe in our presence), and who was
crouching in a corner, his lank hair
plastered round his livid, convulsed
face with the sweat of mortal fear.
1t struck Mohun, | think. He laid
his hand on Clontarf'S shoulder, and
spoke with a kindline5S of voice aud
manner most unusal with him
(IO be cOntinued.)