The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-12-02
CHAPTER XVIII.

9A LACKNESS surrounded the pos;
| 1 carriage in which I awoke,
/ 81 n and it seemed to stand In a
tunnel that was a6re at one
end. Two huge trees, branches and all
were burning on big hearth. stones
glowing under them, and figures With
long boards in black robes passed be-
twixt me and the fire. stirring cal
dron. If ever witches brewing was
seen it looked like that.
The last eclipse Of mind had come
upon me without any rending and tear:
ing in the head, and facts returned
clearly and directly. I saw the blacs
robed figures were Jews cooking sup
per at large fireplace, and we had
driven upon the brick floor Of post
house which had door ne::-ly the size
of a gable. At that end sprea;. 4 ghost
" fim Of open land, forest and sky.
lay stretched upon cushions as well as
! the vehicle would permit, and was
aware by a shadow which came be-
tween me and the Jews that Skene'
dork stood at the step.
"What are you about?' spoke, with
a rush Of chagriu, sitting up. care we
on the road to Paris?"
YES" he answered.
"You have made mistake, Skene'
donk"
"No mistake" he maintained. "Wal1
until I b-ing you some supper. After
supper we can talk
"Bring the supper at once then, for
am going to talk now
care you quite awaken"
"Quite awake How long did it las1
this time?"
1.-TWO days"
eve are not two days journey out OF
Mittau?'
Eyes"
"Well. when you have horses put ir
tomorrow morning turn them back tt
A1ittau."
Skenedonk went to the gigantic
hearth, and one Of the Jews ladled
him out bowlful Of the caldron stew
which he brought to me.
The stuff was not offensive, and ]
was hungry. he brought another
bowlful for himself. and we ate as we
had often done IN the woods. The fire
shone on his bald pate and gave out
the liquid lights of his fawn eyes.
Il have made fool Of myself in
Mittau, Skeledonk.'
'.Why do you want to so back?'
Because I am not going to be
thrown out Of the palace without
| hearing"
What is the use?' said Skenedonk.
The old fat chief will not let you
stay. He doesn't want to hear you
talk. He wants to be king himself
Did you see me sprawling on the
floor like the idiot:'
Not like the idiot. Your face was
down"
did you see the duchess:'
eyes"
what did she do:''
Nothing. She leaned On the wo-
men. and they took her away
'Ten me all you saw
when you went IN to hold council.
watched and saw q priest and Bel
lenger and the boy that God had
touched all 60 in after you. So I
knew the council would be bad for
you, Lazarre, aud I stood by the door
| with my knife in my hand. When
the talk had gone on awhile I heard
something like the dropping Of buck
on the ground and sprang in, and the
men drew their swords and the women
screamed. The priest pointed at you
and said, God has smitten the pre-
tender Then they all went out Of the
room except the priest, and we opened
your collar. ! told him you had fallen
like that before and the stroke passed
OF in sleep. He said your carriage
waited, and if valued your safety l
would put you in it and take you out
of Russia Re called servants to help
me carry you. thought about your
jewels, but some drums began to beat
and thought about your life"
"But. Skenedonk, didn't my sister
the lady led by the hand, you remem-
ber-speak to me again, or look at me,
or try to revive me-"
"No. She went away with the wom-
en- carrying her,
"She believed in meat first! Before
said a word she knew me! She
wouldn't leave me merely because her
nnnla md a nriest thought me an i'm