Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-08-24

Decimus Saxon whistled few bars of a
sprightly tune and then continued:
My perseverance in these exercises
soon led TO my being singled out from
among the other prisoners. until so pre-
vailed upon my jailerS that the doors
out on condition of presenting myself at
the prison gates once IL day. What use,
think We. did | hake of my freedom
Nay, you are capable of anything.
said l.
Il set off forthwith TO their chief
mosque-that of ST Sophia. When the
doors open and the mueZZln called,
was ever the first TO hurry in to devo
tions and the last to leave them. Did |
see a MusSuman strike his head upon
the pavement, | would strike mine twice.
Did l see him bend and bow, | was
ready TO PROSTATE myself. In this way
ere long the piety of the converted Gia
our became the talk of the city. and |
was provided with a hut in which to
make my sacred meditSq ions. Here |
might have done well, AID indeed | had
well-nigh made up my mind to set up as
prophet and write an extra chapter to
the Koran. when some foolish trifie made
the faithful suspicious of my honesty.
1t was but some nonsense of Il wench
being found in my hut by some who
came to consult me upon point of faith.
but il was enough to set their heather
tongues wagging; SO | thought it wisest
to give them the slip in a Levantine
coaster and leave the Koran uncomplet
ed. 1t is perhaps as well, for it world
be sore trial to have to give mp Chris
tian women and pork for their garlic
breathing hours and accursed kybobs of
sleeps flesh"
We had passed through Fareham and
Botley during this conversation. and
were now making our way down the
Bishopstoke road The soil changes
about here from chalk to sand. SO that
our horses h0ofS did but make a dull,
subdued rattle, which was no bar to our
talk-Or rather to my companions. for /
did little more than listen. In truth. my
mind was so full of articipations of
what was before us. and of thoughts of
the home behind. that | was in no hui
NOR for sprightly chatter. The sky was
somewhat clouded. but the moon glinted
out between the riffs, showing us the
long road which wound away in front of
us. On either side We're scattered houses
with gardens sloping down towards the
road The heavy, sickly scent of straw
berries was iii the air.
Hast ever slain man in anger?"
asked Saxon. as we galloped along.
Never" | answered.
"Ha! You will find that when YOU
hear the clink of steel against steel. and
way forget all rules. maXims, and pre-
cepts Of the fence which your father
or others may have taught YOU"
Il have learned little of the sort" said
l. My father did but teach me to
strike an honest downright blow This
sword can shear through a square inch
of iron bar"
'Scanderberg's sword must have Scan
derbegS arm" he remarked. Il have
observed that it is fine piece Of steel.
One of the real old text compellers and
psalm expounders which the faithful
drew in the days of yore, when they
would
Prove their religion orthodox.
BY Apostolic blows and knocks
You have not fenced much. then?"
Scarce at all" said |.
1T is as well. With an old and tried
Swordsman like myself knowledge of the
use of his weapon is everything. but with
young HotSpur of your temper.
strength and energy go for much. |
have oft remarked that those who are
most skilled at the shooting of the popin-
jay, the cleaving of the Turks head, and
other such sports. are ever laggards in
the field. Had the popiniay a crossbow
as well, and an arrow on the string or
had the Turk fist as well as a head.
our young gallants' nerves would scarce
be as steady over the business | make
no doubt. Mater Clarke, that we shall
make trusty comrades. What saith old
Butler?
Never did trusty squire with knight.
Or knight with squire e'er jump more
right.
have scarce dared to quote Hudibras
for these weeks past. lest | should set
the Covenant fermenting in the old mans
veins"
IF we are indeed to he comrades. !"
SAID l. sternly. you must learn to speak
with more reverence and less fiippancy
Of my father, who would assuredly new
err have harbored you had he heard the
tale which you have told me even now"
Belize not" the adventurer answered,
chnckling to himself. at is a long stride
from mosque TO a conventicc. But he
not so hot-headed. my friend You lack
that repose of character which will come
to you. no doubt, in your more mature
years. What, man! within five minutes
of seeing me You would have smitten me
on the head with an oar. and ever since
you nave been like a bandog at my heels
ready TO bark if | do but set my foot
over what you regard as the straight
line. Remember that YOU 90 now among
men who fight on small occasion of quar-
rel. word awry may mean a ripier
thrust"
DO you bear the same in mind" |
answered, hotly: my temper is peaceful.
but covert threats and yelled menace
shall not abide"
odds mercy" he cried Il see that
you Will start carving me anon. and take
me to Monmouths camp in sections
Nay. nay. we shall have fighting enow
without falling out among ourselves
What houses are those on the left?"
The village of SwathIng," | replied
The lights of Bshopstoke lie TO the
right. in the hollow"
Then we are fifteen miles on our way.
and methinks there is already some faint
flush of dawn in the east Hrllo. what
nave we here Beds must be scarce If
folk sleep on the highways"
dark blur which | had remarked
upon the roadway in front of MS had re-
solved itself as we approached into the
figure OF man stretched at full length.
with his face downwardS and his head
resting upon his crossed arms
Some reveller. mayhap, from the VII
lage inn" | remarked
There's blood in the air. said Saxor
raising up his bead-like nose like a vult-
Va r.