Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17

aloft. Tbs whftewashed walls were stained
here and there with streaks and gouts of
darkish brown, In theirnature very sugges-
tive The Windows wsre set high up. de-
Tended by thick bars ,af iron. Three tall
backed chairs stepd ON Q raised platform
at one end, the highest being in the middle
and two a little retired in support. Above
the center chair swererthe insignia Of the
holy office of thu inQuisition.
saw now where we were. The abbot
had played US false. .Still. if we were to
that he would deal kindly with us; for my
liking had gone out to the little shy man
with his soft voice and gentle ways. On
the other hand, IDknew we had no chance
OF mercy from the abbot. l had mistrusted
him at first sight, And VIII Bowman
thought as did.
So We stood there. wondering what would
come next; and my mind flew to Anna and
my mother even when my eyes were wan
der1ng among the maze of wheels and ropes
oVefhead-the purporte of which l under
stood Well enough. though not the particu-
lar fortunes for which they were designed.
What would become of my mother and
Anna Mark? Would they also be shut up
In some den of cruelty and pain? Or would
the sisters be more merciful, seeing that
they also were women? Before my mind
had reached any conclusion 1 was recalled
to myself by the entrance of half a dozen
stalwart negroes. The first staggered in
with a smiths brazier and charcoal smoul-
dering red upon it. A second followed with
pair of bellows upon wooden stand.
Then came two others carrying back loads
of clanking chains. They were all laugh
ing and cracking jests at each others ex-
pense Two gigantic guards with muskets
over their shoulders and short swords by
their sides brought up the rear.
Tne negro with the bellows was evident
ly sort of master among them. He set
down his stand with an air of authority.
Then he looked closely at US, bending his
hams and laying his hands upon his knees
In the attitude which we of Moreham call
numbering" After studying Will and my
self for a minute with bloodshot-injected
eyes-the eyes of a bloodhound seeming the
tra1l-he slapped his thighs suddenly and
cut high caper with his feet. Then he
cracked his heels together and crowed like
a cock. The monks had retired to the fur
Their end of the chamber, where they stood,
leaning elbows on the black chairs and
talking quietly together.
"Ha. ha, haT broke out the huge black.
IF this here doan' beat cockhghtin'! En-
Smith my name. Once me live in the Caro-
linas. English overseer score poor Pom
pegs back. Now Pompey have de whip and
score Englishman's back. Ha, ha, ha!'
Then he took hold of Will Bowman rude
ly.
Hold out your Leg" he said. IT fit it
with one pretty bracelet So! Like him SO
much you never take him off-not even
when you go by byV'
He was STOPPING to take hold Of Wills
knee, when he received a direct left-handed
blow between the eyes and went down like
a log. Presently, however, he got up rub
bling his forehead, upon which a shiny
lump began to rise.
very WE'LL" he muttered q need not
follow his 5argon, which is as tiresome to
write to read), very well. Pompey
Smith will remember. You shall have one
most comfortable pair of bracelets. Nice
short chains, so that you rest easy. Here,
here! You Salazar Pedro Domingo!"
He called his other three companions to