Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-03-17
PEG WESSON.

pany raised in Gloucester to Join the ex
petition against Louisburg was TO leave
town with the rising Of the morrow's
sun. In the spring twilight three young
men made their way, with noisy jest
and song, toward n wretched cottage
that stood in the outskirts Of the town
and raped loudly for admittance.
The door was opened by a withered
old crone. A candle, burning on a
small table, dimly revealed the black.
ened walls Of the interior, the punches
Of herbs hanging from the ceiling, a
scant supply Of battered pewter plates
and coarse e~arthenware on some shelves
in a corner, a few old chairs and n pack
Of worn and greasy cards apparently
just flung down.
what We here for? OF with yer cried
the old woman when she saw who hei
visitors were.
"Oh, now, Peggy" said the tallest OF
the three in a wheedling tone, 'we'ro
off in the morning for Louisburg, you
know, and we thought we'd pay you q
farewell visit and get our fortunes told"
an warrant we've no siller to pay mo
wi, Martin Sanders" said Peggy, keep
ing a firm grip on the door and pushing
it a little closer as she spoke.
Here's a bright new silver s~ixpence
for ye," displaying it as he spoke, "and
Tom and Job have more Of the same
sort, SO now let us come in and give
rs a good send Off"
The money proved an argument not
to be gainsaid, and Peggy admitted
them. When they were seated she took
up her cards, shufiled them and pro-
ceeded totell the young mems fortunes.
Job Ayers came first, then Tom Good
win. When Martin Sanders turn came,
and Goody Wesson crossed his palm
with the coin he handed her, his upper
turbable gravity, contrasted with the
irrepressible snickering Of his compan.
ions, made her suddenly suspicious. Shs
gave him a searching glance; then, az
she was about to place the coin on the
table with the others, she scrutinized il
keenly and balanced it ON her hand
Ayers and Goodwin giggled and moved
toward the door. But not the ghost Of
A smile passed over Martin Sanders
face. Peg struck the coin smartly
against the base of the iron ~candlesticl
and listened to the sound, then pressed
it against the edge of the table. 1t ben
with the pressure.
Curse ye, Mart Sanders" she crieC
in a sudden fury; 'it's leadr"
Then Martin Sanders laughed, and tn,
three, roaring with laughter at tn,
result of their poor trick, opened thu
door of Goody NELSON'S cot and rushed
out into the night.
She ran after them, brandishing he.
staff and raving like a mad woman.
Course ye, Mart Sanders!" shl
screamed; course tn three Of We, bod,
and breath, flesh and bonel Curse Y,
lying down and rising up, sleeping ant
waking, living and dyingl I'll talk,
vengeance on ye at Louisburgl" Tn.
night wind bore the dismal threat an,
its repetition to their ears and silence,
their laughter as they RAJ down the hill
to their homes in the more thiclkly set
tied part Of tho town.
The great feet Of nearly 100 vessels
that made up the expedition agains
Louisburg sailed from Boston on tn
LIST day Of April. Favored by wind an
weather it soon reached Cape Breton
and was coasting along the shore of tina
island toward its destined haven. L
many of the vessels the soldiers wer
watching the hills and woods on shor
with the interest inspired bynew scene.
but every indentation Of the coast wa
familiar to most of the Gloucester me1
for they had often been there ON thei
fishing voyages. Their attention wa
attracted to the singular movements q
a solitary crow that lowered persistent
above them. now and then aighting o
the topmast.
AS they were entering the harbor c
Louisburg. Martin Sanders was sent FOL
ward to assist in furling the jib.
rope parted suddenly under his feet an
he fell headlong into the sea.
The last sound that fell upon his ear
before the rushing waters closed owe
him was the hoarse screaming Of I'll
crow. Apowerful current was running
and it was only with great difficult
that Sanders was rescued.
When the excitement was over, an
She half drowned man was once MOI
safely ON deck, the crow had disappeared
The feet cast anchor in the harbC
and countless boats took the men 0
shore. Before the siege could con
mence the cannon must be landed an
placed in favorable position. 1t wa
arduous toll, for the soil vas DOGGY an
the men often sank to the knees, but a
worked with a will and the guns, OF
after another, were landed.
Goodwin and Ayers, with others, wei
dragging a cannon on a sledge thrOug
half frozen mud when suddenly With
whir of wings a cro alighted ON !
Job Ayers made a dash ut it with Il
cap. At the very instant that he did
ihe rear Of the sledge sank in the treacI
erous soil, the ann0n gave a sudde
lurch and the arn he had flung out vi
caught between the annon and sledi
and hopelessly crushed. The unfortl
nate man was carried into camp and h
arm amputated.
The work Of the siege went on da
after day. Foragiug parties were Eel
aut sometimes. for the rations we.