The Winslow mail., 1900-01-25
bit such a man back, in way to make him

dul1liIliSIGIGO, ILG only IuluR was 10 IdhG
from him his worthless life; this he doubt
less valued most of all things, and | meant
to deprive him of it, if he stood at the altar
of Christ. Moved by such thoughts, and
with my cloak drawn well over the lower
part of my face, hastened towards the
Roman gate, reaching it just as it was to be
closed for the night. In fact, as | passed
out, the huge doors came together behind me
with a groaning, and at the same time |
heard the dull boom of the evening gun
from the camp, followed Immediately by the
distant peals of the trumpets of the cavalry
brigade.
AS the crow flies, Florence was but few
leagues distant; but obviously would have
to journey by side paths, over hill and
across valley to avoid observation, and this
would occupy at least two days, unless my
travels were permanently stopped by my
being cut off by privateering party from
the camp, or by any other untoward acci'
dent Neither contingency was unlikely,
for the writ of the king ran barely league
from the army, and the country was full OF
banditti.
In this mind l pressed on, intending to
lie at Bucine for the night, or, if no better
accommodation offered, to sleep as SOL
dier should, wrapped in my cloak, with the
sky for roof. AS went on, l found | was
relying little too much on my knowledge
Of the road, and blue mist, which rose
from the ground, made it impossible to pick
my way by landmarks. The moon, come
out by this time, shone ftfully through the
bank of Clouds which was shifting uneasily
overhead, and the wind, rising steadily,
marked rain. | stirred myself all the faster,
for l was in no mind to add wetting to my
misfortunes, and a drop or two of rain that
caught me showed | had but little leisure to
lose. | made out narrow cattle track, and
hurried along this; but before | covered a
mile the moon was obscured, and the wind
dropped. 1t now began to rain, and the
darkness was SO thick, that l could only
just follow the road Soon the track died
away into nothing, and found myself floun-
dering, over my ankles in mud, and up to
the waist in wet rushes. At any moment
might strike a quicksand, with which these
marshes abound, so | used my sword as
search-pole, stepping only where | found
foothold, dozen inches or SO below the
surface of the bog. In this perplexity, i'm
agine my relief to see the blaze of a fire
shoot up beyond small rising ground before
me, and throw an arc of light into the dark
ness, against which the falling rain glittered
like fine wires of silver. ! shouted aloud
and to my joy got an answer.
"Who is there? What is the matter?"
"a traveller" | replied, who has lost his
way in this cursed swamp. Whoever you
are, you will make friend and find a re-
ward if you lead me out of this"
Come straight Oh, there is no danger be-
yond getting your feet wet
''They are that already" l answered, and
pressed on, having absolutely to force my
way through the wet rushes, which wound
themselves around me impeding my progress
terribly Moreover, so sticky was the slime
below that thought every moment it would
pull the boots off my feet. Struggling in
this manner for hundred yards or more,
guided by the fire, and an occasional shout
from my unknown friend, | at last touched
hard ground, and with Thank heaven!"
got out of the swamp, and found myself at
the foot of the hillGck, behind which the
fire was blazing.
(Which way to Bucine?" l called out.
care you out of the swamp"
eyes"
"Then come round the shoulder of the
hill to your right, and follow your nose.
You will find shelter here. Bucine you could
never reach tonight, and dog should not
be out in this weather"
''True, friend" | muttered, and with q
loud ''thanks" to the apparently hospitable
unknown, / followed his directions and,
rounding the hillock, saw before me, splut-
tering in the rain, huge fire Of pine logs,
at the entrance to hut Of the rudest de-
scription Inside, l perceived sitting fig
ure, over which the light from the fire alter
nately cast glare and then left it in dark
ness. made my way to the open door,
which hung back on hinges of rope, and en-
tered without further ceremony.
"Humph" snorted my host, without NOV
ing from his position. II said it was no
night for dog to be out. did not say any
thing of wolf"
This change of tone was not so surpris-
ing, for, dripping wet, covered with mud,
and white with fatigue, my general appear
ance was but little calculated to reassure
anyone. Yet, as | hung my cloak on a
rough wooden peg which caught my eye, [
could not help laughing in mockery as / an
swereG:
Evolves, friend, come to wolves lairs."
He took no notice of my remark; but,
pointing to heap of rushes opposite to
him, said "Sit down there" He then rose
and went toward the fire with an unlit torch
in his hand. This gave me some opportunity
of observing him. ] saw he was Of spare,
but elastic figure. His head was bare, and
his white hair hung in matted locks over a
lean neck to mis- shoulders. His dress was
fantastic and entirely out of place to his
surroundings. 1t consisted of tight fitting
jerkin Of parti-colored velvet, with puffed
breeches to match, pulled over thick black
hose On his feet were the ordinary san
dals of the peasantry, and, as he stopped to
light the torch wood, | saw his face was
scanned with wrinkles, and that his lips
moved rapidly, as if he was speaking, al
though no sound issued from them. He did
not delay about his business; but hastened
in, and, sticking torch in hole in the
floor between US, resumed his seat, and said
abruptly:
"Let me look at you?"
Apparently his scrutiny was satisfactory,
and l did nothing to interrupt him.
Hungry"
mo. All that | ask is to be allowed to
rest here till tomorrow"
THAT is well, for | have no food to offer
you; but here is some wine in this skin"
He reached to a corner and pulled out a
small wine skin. This he placed before me
with the single word drink
mo, thanks" The whole manner and as
pect of the man were so peculiar, that, al
though | was much fatgued, L judged it
prudent to decline His quick eye seemed
bitterly as he said
...Ngp DgDi IDtTr bDO te9E lm beOE