Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-10-24

mo, no." / said; "but if enlist now
on your size, will you join me in siege
afteiwardg"
"Siege2 what the deuce2 Why don't
you speak plain, sirG"
"WeIl," said, II mean about--abour
"a certain young lady at the Priory,
you know"
"Confound your thick head, sir! Why
If you had had an ounce of brains, you
could have seen what meant, and
Bang, bangw from the woods.
Forward" shouted my uncle; and
crossing small open field. we entered
the Spinney.
Now, il were to say that was brave,
the assertion would be tib, for | pos
sess but few of the qualifications tor max
ing good soldier; but all the same as
we pushed our way in that night amongst
the thick hazel stubs, felt sort OF
ringly sensation in my arm, which made
me grasp my weapon more tightly, asd
feel as if l wished there was something
to hit
Keep your eyes well open, Dick, ,
whispered my uncle, "aud il you come
across tall, thin, sqiunting rascal, with
his nose on one side, mind that's Il uddles
Fell him to the ground in an instant, sir.
No mercy; capture him as YOU love me.
And if you do take the scoundrel, you
shall save another cool thousand down
on you wedding morning"
"And if don't2" l whispered.
"Hold your tongue, you dog, and don't
talk nonsense"
On we went in silence as to our
tongues, but with the leaves rustiing and
sticks cracking as we pushed on. Now /
could hear my uncle circulating; then
he'd stumble and mutter, while once /
had to haul him out of small hole hall
full of water.
"Contound it!' growled the old gentle
man 'but J'Il pay some one for this
Open out bit to the right, Dick
Iseparated from the main body. and
on we still pressed, rustling and crack
ling along, while now and again, I could
make out the well-de6ned forms of pleas
ants roosting amid the low branches OF
the trees. All a. Cnce heard my uncle
stop short, for about hundred yards to
my right there came again sharp "bang
bang" of two guns.
Push on, my boy" whispered the old
gentleman, closing up; and then, as fast
as we could fort he dense underground
we made our way in the direction of the
sounds. They're out strong, my boy
but we're four determined men. with
right on our side, and prize to winch
you dog9"
; 'Oof!"I Involuntary exclaim ed, fol-
} just then my uncle gave me poke If
the ribs with his stock-very facetiously
no doubt; but it hurt.
We We're now in the thickest part o.
the wood; and. after going little further
felt my shoulder clutched, and
"Here they come" was whispered II
my ear. ''Seize one man, Dick, and hole
on TO him like bulldog"
Just then l could hear in front the
sharp cracking and rustling made by
bodies being forced through the under
wood; and, grasping my staff and press
ing eagerly forward, l waited, with beat
, ing heart, for the coming of the enemy
} did not have to wait long, for the mex
moment was face to face with Browsem
Lord, sir! l thought it had been one
on emp he exclaimed; and then, {
whispered consultation having been held
we opened out about twenty yards apart
and went straight away in the direction
we supposed the poachers to have taken
On, slowly and painfully, with thu
twigs flying back and lashing our faces
roots trying to trip us up, and the nigh
, growing darker and darker. Right anc
! and left I could hear my uncle anC
| Brosem, while right off beyond the ole
gentleman, Mr.. Todds, the reticent, wa
making his way. Every eye was strained
and every ear attent to catch the slight
J est sound; but for quite ten minutes w
: crept on, until right in our rear came tn
= sharp, loud report of gun; and then
after the interval of few moments, ancth
} er louder and apparently nearer.
"Back agaln!" cried my uncle; anc
, then, casting off all caution, we all pushed
forward eagerly, closing in as we went
2 till we were only separated by a few
z bushes, So that could hear the hare
3 breathing on either side. Hard work
laundering and stumbling along; bu
. the will was good, and at last we all drey
up again in small opening, painting, hot
and regularly breathed.
n "Hist" whispered my uncle, and W
all listened eagerly; but with the excep
" ton of wild strange cry some distanc
: off, all was silent.
d whats that9' whispered to Brow
2 sem.
Il "Only howl, sir" he whispered agar
BLESSED rum start this, amt it?"
d "Bang, bangl' again hundred yard
7, off.
o "Come ONT roared nv uncle, furiousl1
e "there won't be bird left in the place.
b And away we dashed again; bu tonly ,
e pull up once more, regularly puzzled.
i" faint no good, sir" whispered Brow
t. sem. "One might go on like this all nigh
= and ketch no one"
IS "Why2" said hopping my brow.
. "That ere, sir. as | said, was how
g must ha' been Munday' Ghost; and thel
!, ere shots as we keeps hearings the ont
as killed the poor fellow, and that's VIII
,; the poachers never comes to this bit
1t "Browsem," pulled up my uncle.
eyes, sir" said browsem.
"You're fool, Browsem," pulled m
lie uncle.
E "Thankv, sir" said Browsem.
"What do you mean by that, sir2' erie
3. my uncle, fercely.
s, "Nothlng, sir" said the keeper, midi
"For two pins, sir" cried my uncl
he fiercely, I'D discharge you, sir. Dy
I'd hear9 discharge you, sir, for talking SUI
foolery. Ghosts-posts poohl bal
puff! stuff yah! Forward"
e, Mr.. Todds, whe was at my ell o.
y murmured his approval Of his superior
I'd language, but gave superstltious shiv
at the same moment. And thence on,
more we opened out and tramped throus