Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-06-19
The mans bold face fell blankly.

morning, afore ye were up,
Mohun shrugged his shoulders, whistl-
ing softly.
"Man proposes" he said. "Ifs al
most pity we found so many cocks in
the lower copse this afternoon. have
fifteen charges or so in my pistol-case.
We must make that do, loading the rifles
light"
Then he went to window, whence he
could see down the road; the moon was
shining brightly.
81 thought so; they have got scouts
posted already. The barbarians know
something of skirmishihg, 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 60 out
by the back gates, keeping well under
the shadow of the trees. When you
clear them, ride straight at the -ai!s at
the end OF the paddock. You'll get over
with scramble, think. Keep fast hold
of his head-you mustn't fall. Then,
make the best of your way to A,
and tell Colonel Harding, with my COM
pliments, that shall be glad If he WI
send me over troop as quickly as posi-
bic. They ought to be here in two
hours. And, mind, don't spare the
horse going, but bring him back easy.
You will be of no use here, and | won't
have him lamed if | can help it. You
will have to risk bullet 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 went on, go and
saw the ladders that are in the yard half
through. They will hardly try the bar
red windows; but it looks more work.
man-hke to take all precautions. Then
come back, and help Fritz to pile chairs
and furniture all up the staircase, 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 clearly after the smoke
of the first dozen shots. When you have
finished, come TO me. Now, shall We go
back to dinner -
am not ashamed to own that | had
little appetite; nevertheless, | sat down.
Kate had gone to her room. If her
courage was failing, she did not wish to
show it.
Suddenly our host got up and went to
the window. His practised 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,
lust as the horse was rising at the fence.
He hit it hard, and the splinters flew up
white in the moonlight. but he was over.
We held our breath, as 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 long
stretching gallop, and the wind brought
back CHEEKY hollo-" Forr ard. forr ard
away"
$50 far so good" said Ralph Mohun,
as he sat down again, and went in stead
lily at a woodcock. Don't hurry your
selves, gentlemen. We have three-quar-
ters of an hour yet; they will take that
time to muster. Clontarf, some hook -
The boy to whom he spoke held out
his glass with pleasant smile. The
The coming peril had not altered tint
on his fresh, beardless cheeks-rosy and
clear as pages in one of Boucher's pic
lures.
| A good contrast he made with the
miserable attorney, who had followed u:
unlimited (it seemed he only felt safe ii
our presence). and who was crouching II
a corner, his lank hair plastered rounC
his liyid, convulsed face with the swea
of mortal fear.
II struck Mohun, ! think. He lai
his hand on Clontarf's shoulder, ant
, smoke with kindliness of voice and man
ner most unusual with him:
rweIl quell the savage mountaineer,
As their Tinchell cows the game:
They come as feet as forest deer,
Wen drive them back as tame"
Even at that anxious moment / coul
not help laughing at the idea Of RalP
4 quoting poetry-of that grim Saul anon
e the prophets.