The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-09-16

And looked round for my fowling
piece, while Croisette jumped upon the
wall, and, forming a trumpet with his
hands, shrieked at the top of his voice;
"BackI he bears letter from the
vicomte!"
But the device did not succeed, and
could not find my gun. For moment
we were helpless, and before I could
have fetched the gun from the house
the horseman and the hooting rabble
at his heels had turned corner and
were hidden by the roofs.
Another turn, however, would bring
them out in front of the gateway, and.
seeing this, we hurried down the ramp
to meet them. 1 stayed moment to
tell Gil to collect the servants, and, this
keeping me, Croisette reached the mar
row street outside before me. AS / fol-
lowed him was nearly knocked down
by the rider, whose face was covered
with dirt and blood, while fright had
rendered his horse unmanageablc.
Darting aside, I let him pass-he was
blinded and could not see me-and then
found that Croisette-brave lad!-had
collared the foremost of the rufllans
and wps beating him with his sheathed
sword, while the rest of the rabble stood
back, ashamed, yet sullen, and with
anger in their eyes. A dangerous crew,
l thought; not townsmen, most OF
them.
down with the Huguenots!" cried
one, as l appeared, bolder than tie
rest.
"Down with the canaille!" Iretorted,
sternly, eyeing the Unlocking ring
"Will you set yourselves above the
kings peace, dirt that you areP Go
back to your kennels!"
The words were scarcely out Of my
mouth before I saw that the fellow
whom Croisette was Furnishing had got
hold of dagger. shouted warn
ing, but it came too late. The blade fell,
and-thanks to God-striking the
buckle of the lads belt, glanced or
harmless. l saw the steel flash up
again-saw the spite in the mans eyes;
but this time was step nearer, and
before the weapon fell passed my
sword clean through the wretch's body.
He went down like log, Croisette fall
ing with him, held fast by his stiffen-
ing fingers.
l had never killed man before, nor
seen u man die; and if had stayed to
think about it, l should have fallen sick
perhaps. But it was no time for
thoughts; no time for sickness, The
crowd were close upon us, q line of
flushed threatening faces from wall to
wall A single glance downwards told
me that the man was dead, and l set
my foot upon his neck. Hounds!
Beasts!" 1 cried, not loudly this time,
for though 1 was like one possessed
with rage, it was inward rage, "go to
your kennels! Will you dare to raise
hand against Caylus? Go-or when
the vicomte returns, dozen of you
shall hang in the market placel"
l suppose l looked fierce enough
know felt no fear, only strange eX-
altation-for they skunk away. Un-
willingly, ,butwith little delay the group
melted, Brezers' following-of whom /
knew the dead man was one-the last
to go. While still glared at them, lo!
the street was empty; the last had dis
appeared round the bend. l turned to
find Gil and half dozen servants stand
ing with pale faces at my back. Croi-
sette seized my hand with sob. "Oh,
my Lord" cried Gil, quaveringly. But
shook one off, l frowned at the other.
"Take up this carrion!" l said, touch
ing it with my foot, "and hang it from
the justice elm. And then close the
gates! See TO 1t, knaves, and lose no
time"