The silver star., 1900-02-16

Sill and dropped. / did not Jump, as
he did; and 1 landed plump on a stout
onicer who happened to rush out of
the door at that moment. He came
down with thud-but was up and
away in the opposite direction from
the major.
Some of them were after me in a
tick OF the clock. 1 felt the bullets
about my ears, as did at Lundy's
Lane. didn't expect to get clear.
But two OF us were running aud even
II didn't know the lay of the land, 1
might have chance.
dashed down into the thick shrubs.
l scrambled and sank in morasses: /
heard voices here, there, which
seemed to die. which again gained
force. I stumbled and fell on nv
face; and then at length I found my
self on little path. l had no more
notion than baby where it might
lead. Yet at last it seemed they had
lost the trail.
l am no Louisianian; didn't know
at all the woodcraft of that broken
land. while VALERIE knew it all. But
to be sure, I had to go somewhere.
80 followed that path; and after q
half-hour, although I heard voices and
shouts. 1 saw no one; and then the
path opened on great house.
L knew it, my friends; the house
the Comte de Maur had bought; the
plantation where brought my heart
beats to little Marie de Maur. And
then again l heard the pursuit. close
behind. knew they would have me ::
while to my dismay, on looking ont, I
saw the caps of some OF the jack-tars
on the road beyond.
Now the servants of the place had
rushed out, eager and fearful. The
comte himself was shouting strange
French words from his front door. A
midshipman, hat in hand, was ap-
proaching him.
looked about can tell you, I
looked about. l saw how the shrub
berry grew up close and Swallowed a
house, like that of the servants quar-
ters on those plantations. 1 edged
up to it. and saw an open window.
Ont of window had come; into n
window 1 would go. In brief
glance I saw a fat negro woman stand
ing arms akimbo, looking ont on the
King of England's men.
l leaped in. She turned about, as
if i were a ghost. / thought she
would cry out. As an actual fact, she
did nothing of the kind. She was
quick -witted, that old soul. Quickly
1 explained. In her dialect, half
=, 1xa1f E,cl.,l, ah
and taking some soiled linen from a
basket, motioned me in.
You may believe 1 understood.
Down went into that basket, and a
clean sheet was thrown over me, with
the soiled linen on top OF that.
Presently heard gruff voice. My
friend grunted as il she didn't under
stand English. She was a wonderful
person, / can assure you.
mot here, eh?"
A sword-point touched my shins,
and poked down there till 1 thought
I should cry ont; but I didn't, as was
lucky, for the owner of the sword
moved away, and the door shut.
l lay there half-smothered till 1
could stand it no longer, and then
stretched my head up, aud the first
sight ! saw was the little mademoiselle.
1 wasn't u prepossessing sight. I'm
agins the situation yourself.
monsieur the captain said she,
with sparkling eyes.
Begging your pardon" said I, as
best could.
81 had no notion you were the
man Celeste hid," she said, with
laughter.
''Or else you would have given me
up?" said !, much pilued. "where
are they?"
'rhey have gone, taking all the
meu aud my father. I didn't have
to use my dagger. They were very
courteous."
The dagger was little trinket at
her belt. Every lady Of the city and
the countryside wore one that week,
/ dare say thinking that their pretty
selves might have to fight the English.
For gossip had IL there had been o
toast on Admiral Cochrane's ship,
Beauty aud Booty"
~ will sing Yankee Doodle or the
'Marseiilaise,' II l can get away-to
New Orleans" said !. impatient!y.
"You must get there" said she.
soberiug. "You must let them know.
They've taken all our men with Them"
For moment she stood there re-
fiecting. and then taking "A step nearer,
she said. lyon shAll go back into the
basket"
"Well?" said !.
And Celeste aud another woman
shall carry you--as II you we're"
"Oid clothes" said I.
"No, u charming, brave gentle
man." said madcraoisellc. clapping
her hauds; and really It was the
yainest moment Of my life.
"That's good Of yon,' said I. "But
what followsp"
"Thoy will take you to q place In
tho bayou where thcre's = skiff. Keep
through tho passage to the right, aud
you will reach the river near the
city,"
"I will try H." said I. getting back
into the basket, wiiaro l stood for