Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-07-28

the little rebel. Wen find way to make
him tell. Up with him."
In an instant the man had swung Arthur
into his saddle, and leaping up behind him
struck spurs to his horse and dashed away.
Caesar, who had been shifting about, sus.
picious, but uncertain, attempted to leap
upon the horseman in the rear, but he,
drawing his pistol from his saddle, fired,
and Cesar dropped helpless.
The horsemen quickly vanished, and for
moment Dorothy stood pale and speech
less Then she knelt down by Caesar, ex.
amined his wound-he was shot in the leg
and bound it up with her handkerchief,
just as she saw Basha do the night before,
and then putting her arms around his neck
she kissed him. " Be patient, dear old
Cesar, and Abram shall come for you"
Covered with dust. her frock stained
with Cse iar's blood, pitiful sight indeed
was Dorothy as she burst into the kitchen
where Basha was preparing supper.
80 mamma, they've carried off Arty and
shot Cesar, those dreadful, dreadful Brit
isb.'
Between her sobs she told the whole
fearful story to the two women-fesrful,
say, for Mrs. Heath knew too well the re-
puted character of the British soldiery, not
to fear the worst if her boy should persist
in refusing to tell where he had seen the
British soldiers uniform. But even in her
distress she was conscious of proud faith
that he would not betIay her trust.
AS TO Basha, who shall describe her hor-
ror and Indignation? " The wretches
amt they content to murder our men and
burn our houses, that they must take our
innercent little boys ?" and she struck the
spit into the chicken she was preparing for
supper vindictiyely, as though she should
like to treat the whole British army. "The
dear little cretur what'll he do tonight
without his mamma, and him never away
from her a night in his blessed life, Pears
to me the Lords forgot the Colonies. o
dearie, dearie me-" utterly overcome she
dropped into chair, and throwing her
homespun check apron over head she gave
way to such ftof weeping as astonished and
perplexed Abram, one of whose principal
articles of faith it was that Basha couldn't
shed tear, even if she tried, morn if
she's made o. cast iron."
It indeed locked hopeless. Who was to
follow after these men and rescue Arthur
There was hardly any one left in town but
old men, women and children.
Mrs. Heath thought of this as she
soothed Dorothy, coaxed her to eat little
supper, and then sat by her side until she
fell asleep. She sat by the fire while the
embeTs died out, or walked up and down
the long, lonely kitchen, wrestling, like
Jacob, in prayer, for her boy, until long
after midnight.
And now let US follow Arthur's fortunes.
The men galloped hard and long over hills,
through valleys and woods, 30 far away 1t
seemed to the little fellow he could never
possibly see mamma or Dorothy again. At
last they drew up at large white house,
evidently the headquarters of the officers,
and Arthur was put at once into dark
closet and there left. He was tired and
dreadfully hungry, so hungry that he could
think of hardly anything else. He heard
the rafting of china and glasses, and knew
they were at supper. By and by servant
came and took him into the supper room.
His eyes were so dszzled at first by the
change from the dark closet TO the we'll
lighted room, that he could scarcely see.
But when the daze cleared he found him
self standing near the head of the table,
where sat stout man with red face, a
fierce mustache and an evil pair of eyes.
He looked at Arthur moment. Then
he poured out glass of wine and pushed it
towards him: Drink"
But Arthur did not touch the glass.
Drink, l say, he repeated impatiently.
"Do you hear %
81 have promised mamma never to drink
wine" was the low response.
1t seemed to poor Arthur as though ev-
erything had combined against him. It
was bad enough to have to say no to the
question about the uniform, and now here
was something else that would make the
men more angry with him. But the officer
did not push his command he simply
thrust the glass one side and said Now,
my boy, were going to get that American
spy and hang him. You know where he is
and you've got to tell Us, or it will be the
worse for you. Do you want to see your
mother again p
Arthur did not answer. He could not
have answered just then. a big bunch
came into his throat. Cry? Not before
these men. So he kept silence.
obstinate little pig speak !" thun'
dered the officer, bringing his great brawny
fist down upon the table with blow that
set the glasses dancing. "Will you tell
me where that Spy is p
"No. sir" came in very low, but very
firm tones. will not tell you the dread
! full words of that officer as he turned to
his servant with the command, Put him
down cellar, and well see to him in the
morning They're all alike, men, women
and children. Rebellion in the very blood.
The only way to finish it is to spill it with
out mercy"
| Now there was one thing that Arthur,
brave as he was, feared, and that was
rats. Left on a heap of dry straw he began
to wonder if there were rats there. Pres
emily he was sure he heard something
move, but he was quickly treasured by the
touch of soft, warm fur on his hand, and
the sound of a melodious "pur-r." The
friendly kitty, glad of companion, curled
herself by his side. What comfort she
brought to the lonely little fellow. He
lay down beside her, and saying his Our
Father, and Now l lay me, was soon in a
profound sleep, the purring little kitty
nesting close.
The sounds of revelry in the rooms above
did not disturb him. The boisterous songs
and laughter, the stamping of many feet,
continued far into the night. At last they
ceased and when everything had been for
long time silent, the door leading to the
cellar was softly opened and lady came
down the stairway. l have often wished
that L might paint her Jas she looked COM
ing down those stairs. Arthur was after
wards my great grandfather, you know, and
he told me this story when | was young
girl in my teens. He told me how lovely
this lady was.
Her gown was of some rich stuff that
shimmered in the light of the candle she
carried, and rustled unsteady as she
walked. There was a flash of jewels at
her throat and on her hands. She had
wrapped crimson mantle about her head
and shoulders. Her eyes were like stars
ON summers night, sparkling with a
yelled radiance, and as she stood and
looked down upon the sleeping boy, smile.
sweet, but full Of profound sadness,
played upon her lips. Then determined
look came intolher bright eyes.
He stirred in his sleep, laughed out, said