Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-03-03

orally a calm, for, the ships passed in
safety, the travellers went about two
leagues in tranquility The night was
splendid and the shadows fell thick
and black from a wood which skirted
one side of the road.
! Decidedly" said Pompey at last
II DO not like moonlight When one
is seen from afar, one runs great
risk, and / have always heard that
! when two men meet each other, the
moon only favors one. We are full
in the light. vicomte; it is not pru-
dent"
"WeI, let us 90 in the shade, Pom
pey"
"UnIuclily then, if any men were
ambushed in the wood, we should
march right upon them"
We'll, then. what are we to dog
"Oh, NJ. lie Yicomte, I think the shade
IS best"
Very well"
you are afraid, monsieur"
NO, PUmpey, / assure you
You would be wrong. for YOU are
with me, and I watch; were 1 alone,
| should fear nothing, you understand,
but require as much care as the tIoney,
and the double responsibility frightens
me- All what is that black shade !
see there? this time it walks
NO doubt Of that"
"See the advantage of being In the
shade; we see the enemy and he does
no. see US. Do YOU not think that the
wretch has a musket?'
Yes, but it Is a single man, Pompey,
and we are two
M lie Vicomte those who travel
alone are the most to be feared; II
shows a determined character The
famous Baron des Adrets always went
alone and see! I believe he is going to
fire"
mo, Pompey lie Is only changing
his muskct to the other shoulder"
"Ah, our determined attitude mus,
have frightened him He is afraid,
let me speak 70 him Halloa! who are
y0u?" he cried.
The figure stopped in visible terror.
"YOu cali also, NJ lie Vicomte," said
Pompey
1T is useless, the poor wretch is
frightened enough"
"Oh, he is afraid said Pompey, fiv-
ing his gun.
Have pity, sir said the man falling
on his knees. Il am a poor pedlIr,
who for a week has not sold a single
thing, and has not a sou in his pocket"
what Pompey had taken for a mus
ket was only a yard measure.
Know, my friend said Pompey,
majesricalIy. that we are not rob-
hers, but gentlemen. Pass on your
way, You are free"
"And here" added the vicomte, as
a pist0ie for the fright we gave YOU"
The poor fellow went away full OF
gratitude
"You were wrong. vicomte," said
Pompey; you should never al
low y01r enemy 70 know that you
travel Did you not hear that the first
cry Of that coward was, that he had
Inothing2"
yes; because he was a coward, and
we, yoU know, are so brave"
Yes. but between fear and prudence
there Is a great difference, and it was
not prudent to let that man see that
You had money"
a single man, unarmedF'
"Te may belong to a troop Of ban
dts. ami what coul1 we do against
numbers, brave as we are?"
The vicomte did non reply, and they
travelled on. He began to regain con
| Gdenee as they proceeded, without an
noyance, when all at once they heard
the galloping Of horses behind them.
"Tnis time" said P0mpey. ia q stified
voice and Selling the reins Of the
vieomte's horse 4 hope you will he
doci1e, and be guided by me I hear
a troop Of horses pursuing us; 1t is all
/ the doing Of that false pediar; let lis
save our lives ana our money, and fiy.'
/ yes Pompey said the vic0mte
I trembling
They Spurrcd their horses which were
both excellent, and for half an hour
went at full speed, but sin it seemed
to them that their pursuers were gain
ing on them, and they atIast heard DIS
tinctly a voice crying stop"
\, "Wel. shall we stop?7
NO; on the contrary, 80 faster than
ever"
"Thcy gain on rs Pompey.%
"Alas! yes. I am sure there are
thirty Of them"
oh" cried the yicomte, more dead
than alive. 1--WE are lost"
"Slop, vtcomte, cried the voice
"Pompey. You old fool stop"
"Oh! it Is some one who knows that
we are carrying money to the prin
cess. Some one who knows we are
conspir,ug We shall be broken on the
wheel
stop cried the voice again.
shall we get into that field and
perhaps, they win pass Us byY' said
the vicomte.
YES. It is an excellent idea,' said
Pompey; ami they proceeded to put 3
i'm execution The vicomte's horse
easily cleared the hedge which lay be
tween: but Pompey's which was heavi
or. fell In the attempt and his rider
Il