The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-05-25


the horn were again audible, and the
stag was Just going to dart like an arrow,
when the report of fire-arm burst from
under the vault OF the foliage, and the
noble animal fell, struck dead by 4 ball
which pierced his neck. The
| poacher commenced to clean the
stag, thinking all the time how he could
carry the animal away without being
seen, when he suddenly paused, hearing
the rapid g;lllop ola horse in the woods.
He picked up his gun, which was lying a
few steps from him, reloaded the barrel
which he had just empticd, and then
plunging into the thicket, awaited the Sc
puel, hidden among the bushes of broom
and fern. Bib was in front of him sniff
ing toward the noise, which seemed to
disturb him Us much as it did his master.
| The horseman came right on, regardless
Of all obstacles, and in a few minutes
| would have been in the glade where
Jacqucs's victim lay dead.
"Rameau is the only person who can
gallop that way through the thicket,"
thought Jacques. "If stay here there'll
be trouble. It's best for me to 60 away,
and leave my game to him"
He was about to carry out thus wise res
| olution, when he heard noise as if pro-
duced by a violent collision, followed by
Il cry from a man in distress. jacques
smiled maliciously
"Rameau has fallen into the bog
thought he "Let him stay there, and
God have mercy on his soul"
While muttcring these words with al
| most ferocious joy, he returned to his
first occupation. Meanwhile Rameau,
who was the chief Of the marquis's hunts
man, howled with despair, for he had, in
fact, fallen intoa deep and miry, bog,
where both he and his horse would UNI
doubtedly. perish if no one came to his
assistance.
"Help! Help" he cried. tIsn't there
anyone who hears me? Poacher or hum
for mercy's sake come and give me your
hand, for the mud has already reached
my shoulders"
Jacques was touched in spite of him
self. He advanced towards the hole,
where Rameau was vainly struggling, and
suddenly appearing before the wild eyes
of his mortal enemy, said in a hooking
tone:
AHA! It's the head keeper who is
enjoying cold bath, alth ough the sea-
son isn't warm. Take your time, your
lordship, and l shall get some white
| clothes ready for you, for it's my opinion
you'll have great need of them when you
get out of your bath-tub."
"Jacques," replied Ramcau, raising
himself with violent effort, whatever
your reasons for hatred toward me, you
sure] v will not leave me hear to die like
a dog. Help me out, then go your way
and say nothing; but try never to meet
me again. 1t will be the best for both of
| us"
''That is to say" said Jacques, gloomily
that once safe and sound, YOU will begin
| again tomorrow to hunt me like wild
deer. That won't do. Promise me to
turn away when am in your path, and
I will give you my hand. If not, by St.
Jacques, my patron, you can lie there and
| rot, and the wolves can tear your carcass
to pieces for food"
"But, wretch, even if I should make
you this promise the other keepers will
not have the same reason to spare you,
and some day or other you will certainly
be caught"
''Thc other keepers" exclaimed JAG
ques. with supreme contempt. II don't
care Tor them any moro than for the skin
of a dead rabbit. They are afraid to come
within grnshot of me, and I must say YOU
! are the only one brave enough to deal
| with Jacques, the poacher."
the unhappy keeper. 'Even you would
regard to YOU Then he commenced to
shout again, in a pitiable voice, "Help!
Help" .
"Dic then, fool!' said jacques, pre-
tending to goaway. "Pd be very foolisl,
to supply the whip to beat myself with"
Rameau anxiously followed him with
his eyes.
"See here, Jacques, you won't aband-
on {; Christian in this way, who personal
ly never did you any harm?
Ask something else of me, and
as I hope to save my soul.
you can have tho choice Of everything l
possess, except my rifle"
II know | can rely on you, friend
Rameau,'" said Jacques, in an undecided
tone. 'You'rc the only one I'd look at
twice down there, before sEouldering
my gun. But you must promise what I
YOU can stay there till judgment day, if
Ramcau Uttered a sigh Of DESPAIR. His
horse had completely disappeared in the
mire, and he knew that if this support
failed him, the slime would soon be over
his head, and that would be the end of
him. At last he said
"l4et 1t be then as you WISH Your
person shall be sacred to me, and if ever
you arc sent to prison, l swear will
never accuse you. But how are you 60
ing to manage? The pond is large, and
you can't reach me without risking your
! own life"
"Don't let that trouble you," said
Jacques, spying Il Young and plant oak,
which he climbed like Young wildcat.
Reaching the top, he let himself hang
down, shaking the tree violently, and
forming an arch, one end Of which was
directly over Rameau Then he held on
by one hand, and extended the other to
the head keeper. Giving an oscillating
movement to the supple branch, he sue
ceeded in completely pulling his enemy
out of the slime.
'"There's enough of water here for a
good swimmer like YOU to reach the
shore. AS for me, lookw
tie caught hold of the young sapling
with both hands, and as it sprang back
fell twenty PAGES distant right on his feet.
| Rameau was very pale, he rose up all
covered with mud. He looked sadly at
the hole where his faithful courser was
forever immured, and then extended his
hand to Jacques, who looked at him de-
family.
"Well, jacques" he said, with cordial
manner, II owe you my life, and you
have my promise; but perhaps it would
be better if [ were dead or you changed
your occupation.'
"Nevero' answered Jacques, with a
savage JOY. "You don't know what it is
to feel the delights of wandering alone in
the midst of this vast forest, especially
when the wind whistles throug Oh the tops
! of the old oaks, when the lightning flash
es through the depths, and the rumbling
thunder seems to make the echoes howl.
see the deer, the wolves; and even the
boars run away, frightened, while !, my
posed to the lightning, which respects it,
stride through the forest saying: "God
disturbs the elements up there; the
tempest breaks the tops of aged oaks,
but around me His breath does not dis
turb a blade Of grass" Why should any