The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-09-30
dame. Let me tie your boat to mine: =

There is no way. We shall have to
feel for the shore. Fut Lake George is
narrow, and know it WE'LL
II want to keep near you"
"Come into my boat, and let me tie
the other one astern.
She hesitated again, but decided,
''That would be best"
I drew the frail shells together-they
seemed very frail above such depths
and helped her cross the edges. We
were probably the only people on Lake
George The moon played tricks, for
now she was astern and now straight
ahead, in that confusing wilderness of
vapor.
Madame" I said to my companion,
''why have you been persuaded to so
back to France?'
She drew deep breath.
81 have not been persuaded. have
been forced by circumstances. Pauls
future is everything
"You said you would rather make
him woodchopper than suppliant
to the Bonapartes."
''I would But his rights are to be
considered first. He has some small
chance Of regaining his inheritance
through the influence Of Count de
Chaumont now. Hereafter there may
be no chance You know the fortunes
and lands Of all emigres were forfeit
ed to the state. Ours have finally
reached the hands Of one Of Napoleon's
officers I do not know what will be
done. I only know that Paul must
never have cause to reproach me-"
was obliged to do my duty in my
place as she was doing her duty in
hers, but I wished the boat would sink
and so end all journeys to France. It
touched shore, on the contrary, and
grasped a rock which jutted toward
US. 1t might be the point Of an island,
it might be the eastern land, as was
inclined to believe, for the moon was
over our right shoulders.
Probing along with the oar, l found
a cove and shallow bottom, and there
beached our craft with great shove.
"How good the earth feels under
footw said Nine. de Ferrier. We were
both stiff. I drew the boats where
they could not be foated away, and we
turned our faces to the unknown. l
took her unresisting arm to guide her,
and she depended upon me.
There was no path. Creeping un-
der and climbing over obstacles, some
times inclosel by the whiteness Of
steam, sometimes walking briskly
across lighted spaces, we reached
gorge smoking as the lake smoked in
the chill Of early mornings. Below,
medallion shaped rift widened out and
showed US scene as have since be-
held such things appear upon the
stage. Within the round, changing
frame of wispy vapor two men sat by
a fire Of logs and branches. We could
smell wood smoke and hear the
branches crackle, convincing us the
vision was real. Behind them stood
cabin almost as rude as my shelter on
the island.
One man was grand fellow, not at
all Of the common order, though he
was more plainly clothed than De
Chaumont. His face was SO familiar
that I almost grasped recognition-but
missed 1t. The whole cast was full
and aquiline and tie lobe of his left
ear, as noticed wiicn light fell on his
1,:>
The other man worked his feet upon
the treadle of small wheel. which re-
yolred like a circular table in front OF
him, and on this lie deftly touched
something which appeared to be an
earthenwarc vessel. His thin fingers
moved with spider swiftness and
shaped it with kind Of magic. He
was mad looking person, with an air
Of being tremendously driven by inner
force. He wore muStaches the like OF
which / had never seen, carried back
over his ears, and these hairy devices
seemed to slit his countenancc in two
crosswise.
Some broken crockery lay on the
ground, and few vessels. colored and
lustrous so they shone in the freight,
stood on stump near him.
The hollow was not deep one, but
if the men had been talking their
voices did not reach US until the cur
tain parted.
"You are a great fool or great ras-
cal, or both, Bellenger," the superior
man said.
"A1ost people are, your highness," re-
sponded the one at the wheel. He kept
it going, as if lis earthenware was OF
more Importance than the talk.
"You are living a miserable life, row
ing about
"Many other Frenchmen are no bet
ter off than am, my prince
"True enough. I've roved about my
self"
"Did you turn schoolmastec in Swift
zerland, prince?'
'I did. My family is in Switzerland
now"
"Some Of the mobiles were pillaged By
their peasants as we'll as by the gov
ernment. But your house should not
have lost everything"
.You are mistaken about our losses.
The Orleans Bourbons have little or no
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