Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-04-20
lcoNTIyuED.i

Look at them, ! repeated. II con-
graduate You on your company.
They drank deeply and replaced their
bottles in their pockets, where l was
sure 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 oblivious 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 once, 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 toughest 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, yesi' they reared, 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
1t the red embers. her cheeks pale
81 say, Miss Howard, don't 20
hear?'' exclaimed Crowder roughly.
Eyes, hear, she replied, "but I'm
sorry can't oblige you / can't sing
any more.
eff you can sing for that id rebel
there, " continued Crowder, II should
think you could sing for us, who are
good and loyal English like yourself. y
She was silent again.
Didn't we rescue youY' he con-
timed. "Aren't we your saviors? Don t
you owe us gratitude?"
Still unanswered, he swore 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 like this, my lady?
It's called TN 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:
sAnd I'll owre the muir TO Macy
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 Tugs in Pindus' spring
And inyocate 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;
If she love grandeur day and night
III Pic. ny nations glery,
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 Astounding.
Ny bonnie Maggy love can turn
Me 10 what shape she pleases
If in her breast that flame 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.
"I'll not only sing for you, Miss
Howard, - said Crowder, but III dance
for you too. "
1t was plain enough that the man
was drunk and was relapsing into his
natural condition of savagery. / hoped
that he would fall into the fire, but he
did not His drunken head swayed from
side to side, but he kept step to the
beat Of the song.
One of the men drew his empty bot
tie and beat upon its side with his
knife blade. 1t made a lively tinkle
that sounded like music, and the others,
seeing his success, initiated him. Crow
der had not only vocal but an instru-
mental chorus as well. His zeal in
creased, and he danced like an Indian
at a scalp dance, while the men roared
out the song and beat their bottles with
enthusiasm.
again l congratulate you on your
company, your glorious band of res
cuers, Miss Howard " / called out tc
her
| know she heard me, but she die
not reply. Her lips were set firmly, but
her cheeks were growing paler anc
paler, and she seemed to be white to the
hair. tugged at my bonds bat could
not move them.
The song stopped for a moment, and
Crowder. looking around for further
amusement, spied me-
"a good song, boys, and good fun, u
he cried, "but here's better fun. Let's
hang the prisoner and see him squirm >
The others, as drunk as their leader
shouted their approval, but the CIR
sprang up.
"You shall not do thati' she cried
land why not. miss?'' asked Grow