The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-24

ed out that tie provost and council were at
the moment excitedly considering the ques-
tion of entertaining the Indian nabobs who
had SO unexpectedly honored their city.
But we were off before the good men could
decide, with half the population at our
heels, as IL we exercised the charm of the
Pied Piper Of Hamelin. And the mighty
sensation of the starting was continued all
along our route. People rushed gaping
from houses and fields to get a glimpse of
us at close quarters, and those whom we
met generally turned and followed us as
long as they had breath. Some saluted us
as if we were foreign potentates. others
stared as IL they had been turned into stone,
and yet others, by their looks, seemed to
apprehend an invasion.
When we swept through our little village,
there was the commotion that an earth
quake or the descent Of an armed band OF
robbers might have caused. Fain would i
have stopped to make myself known to the
villagers and see their astonishment, but at
that stage we could not bear to tarry. Two
miles ahead was Kilgour and little beyond
was the Elms So we sped on without draw
ing rein, our hearts beating short and fast,
with the expectation which the returning
exile alone knows. The carriage horses
were lathered and blowing after their 40
miles, though Fatima and Hassan, with
more trying work, did not show wet hair.
But no consideration for blown horses could
have induced us to delay. The coachman,
rather against his will. whipped up, and in
stead of slackening the pace increased.
AS we rolled, bumpipg and shaking, over
the mountain road in the midst of many
whirling thoughts, suddenly old Duncan's
parting words flashed upon me-
God bless ye, take 1t. II will be the sill
Ter pipes / learned We TO blaw on. Ayont
the seas ye'll can gle n skirl AZ times to
mind We OF old friends, and when We come
back ye'll can march TO your own quick
STEP"
Why shouldn't II In less time than 1t
takes me TO write this sentence the silver
pipes were out pf the green bag.
"You shall be played home like hero,
Gordonl" i cried. leaping upon the dickey
TO the great discomfort of the coachman,
who was evidently unable to make up his
mind whether we were great folks or sim
ply msniacs.
The scream of the pipes made the horses
almost as wild as was myself.
II Gamma haud theml" yelled the coach
man. laying his weight on the reins. "Tll
never win back TO Perth safe. Woal Woai
They're off, sure. May be burned alive
If ever take trip like this again. Woa,
Dandyl Woa, Megl All, ye thinner, TAX
ing the bit atween your teethl IL smash
this kerridge, 1 may just 20 and hang my
SELL"
"Let them ont, you fool" said breath
lessly. The speed was glorious TO me.
They could not 20 too fast. Another mile
--one short mile, but it was too much To
think OF.
blew as had never blown but once be
fore, and that was when / thought / was
playing n ranting air as my own dirge
"When Johnny Comes Marching Home"
was now my tune, and the birds flew in
terror from the rocks at the mad excite
ment Of the strain. Another half mile
two OF three minutes more Couldn't the
ass of n coachman use his whipi Then all
at once the chimney tops of Kilgour rose
amid the dusky heath as had seen them
rise when last returned from Edinburgh,
and almost dropped.
"There IL is, Gordonp' / screamed, pointing
TO the right. Don't you see IL standing
alone therep All the chimneys are smo&-
ing. They must have company"
And settling down to work again played
fiercer and fiercer, and Rance stuffed her
ears. and Donald encouraged me. and the
coachman, hanging on the reins, swore we
should be headlong over a precipice, but
the speed was not checked.
A quarter OF n mile more. and I saw
man in field near the house He stood
looking toward US. shading his eyes with
his hands. lie gazed thus for perhaps half
q minutes then suddenly turning he made
of ne II he were pursued by the enemy Of
mankind IL was Duncan. I shouted to
him. | waved his own pipes and but for the
pace WOULD baye leaped down snd Ess after