The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-03-08

Iuey JetHereu TO GDe GreeS near Dy.
guessed that they had seen the light Of
our fire at distance and leaving Their
horses there had crept upon me.
"You will excuse us, Miss Howard,
while we eat and drink little" said
Crowder. We've ridden far today, and
we're tired and hungry"
Their appearance was sufficient indi-
cation that they needed food and rest,
for the CRIME of travel was thick upon
them They rummaged their haversacks
and saddlebags and produced bread and
meat. which they began to eat greedily.
They wero absorbed like wild animals
in their repast and paid no attention to
anything else.
The girl rose and walked over to me-
Reaching down, she seized the end of
my silk handkerchief, which was pro-
jecting from my pocket, and jerked it
forth. She threw it into the fire and
watched it burn, the red heat gripping
the delicate silk and converting it in a
moment to ashes. Then she turned upon
me face of flame.
"You dared to bind me, she said
you rebel and l an English woman,
the daughter of loyal English officer
You dared to insult me so!''
'And presume that is the reason
you burn the handkerchief with which
/ bound you. said.
Eyes -
Nov that you have begun the job
OF burning suppose you would like to
burn me, too, as I am the man who tied
the handkerchief, and l did SO because
you deserved it..
She was silent, but her cheeks were
as red as ever
81 congratulate you upon your rescue,
your rescuers, your company, 1 said.
'"They are loyal British soldiers -
"They wear the British uniform.
Any ruffian and robber may do that. :"
II have seen Captain Crowder him
self i'll the army of CORVALLIS. My ia
ther knows him, and du too. ="
"You know his face, and that is all.
He may be q good enough British sol
dicr when he is with CORVALLIS, but
elsewhere he is anything that suits his
purpose. Look at him and his comrades
now p"
Every man had produced bottle and
was drinking deeply from it. The odor
rose and was too strong to be swept
away by the wind
Look at them," repeated II con-
gratulate ycu on your company"
They drank deeply and replaced their
bottles i'll their pockets, where l was
suro they were not destined to remain
long. The red fled from the girls face
but she said nothing, and giving me the
same curious look of mingled triumph
and defiance went back to her old place
on the log. There she sat, staring
straight into the fire, as if she were
wholly obliyious of me and the other
men around her.
The partisans were in great glee.
They laughed and cracked rough jokes,
and presently, as had expected, pulled
out the bottles again and took long,
deep draft, rnce, twice, thrice Their
faces flushed from the effect of the
strong spirits, and the loudness and
roughness of their talk increased.
Crowder, the leader, was the loudest
and roughest of them all.
"That was fine song you sang to
that fellow there when you set him
a-napping for us to catch, Miss How
ard. !" he said presently, land we like
music. too, don't we boys?''
"Yes, yesr' they roared, all together
And won't you kindly sing that
song or another as good for us, Miss
Howard?" he continued
She made no answer, staring straight
at the red embers her cheeks pale
II say, Miss Howard, don't you
hear?" exclaimed Crowder roughly.
"Yes, hear" she replied, "but I'm
sorry I can't oblige you I can't sing
any more.
"If you can sing for that id rebel
there" continued Crowder, 81 should
think you could sing for US, who are
good and loyal English like yourself p"
She was silent again.
Didn't we rescue you?" he con-
tinued. AREN'T we your saviors? Don't
you owe us gratitude?"
Still unanswered, he sN ore an oath
and said to his comrades:
'Here's gratitude for you, lads Well.
if she won't sing for us, we can sing for
her. How do you VEe this, my lady?
It's called I'll Owre the Muir to Mag
gy,' and it goes very well with the song
that you sang. /"
Then he sang the old song, which,
like the girls, was Scotch:
"And I'll owre the muir to Maggy-
Her wit and sweetness call me
There to my fair I'll show my mind,
Whatever may befall me.
II she loves mirth, I'll learn to sing,
Or, likes the Nine to follow.
I'll lay my lugs in Pindus' spring
And invocate Apollo.
"If she admire martial mind,
I'll sheath my limbs in armor;
II to the softer dance inclined,
With gayest airs I'll charm her;
II she love grandeur day and night
I'll plot my nations glory,
Find favor in my princes sight
And shine in future story
"Beauty can work wonders with ease
Where wit is corresponding,
And bravest men know best to please
With complaisance abounding.
My bonnie Maggy love can turn
Me to what shape she pleases
If in her breast that iame>shall burn
Which in my bosom blazes.
His voice was not unmusical, and he
had some idea Of rhythm and measure
His comrades Joined him, and they
roared out a chorus which must have
penetrated to the farthest edge Of the
wood.