The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-06-01
CHAPTER III.
tContinued.)

A pretty Sn0ut went up as 4 PiCh u
myself of the turf and rush'd for the
back door. Twas unbarr'd. and in q
moment / found myself tearing down
the passage and out into the Corn
Market, with q score or so tumblirG
downstairs at my Heels, ard yelling 10
stop me.
l knew there was no possibility to
get past the city gates, which We're
well guarded at night. Ny hope
reach'd no further than the chance Of
outwitting the pursuit for 4 while
longer. In the end I was sure the pot
boys evidence would clear me, and
therefore began to enjoy the fun. Even
my certain expulsion from College
on the morrow seem'd CT a piece with
the rest of events and (proSpectiVelyl
O matter for laughter. For the strug-
gle at the Grown had unhinged my
wits, as l must suppose and you must
believe, if you would understand my
behavior in the next half hour.
a bright thought b d struck me; and
taking a fresh wind, ! set of again
round the corner of Oriel College, and
down Merton street toward Master
Timothy Carriers house, my mothers
cousin. This gentleman, who was
Town Clerk 10 the Mayor and Corpora
ton of Oxford-was also in a sense
my guardian, holding in trust about
1900 (which was all my inheritance.
and spending the same jealousy on my
education. He was a very small, pre-
else lawyer, about sixty years Old,
shaped like q pear, with q prodigious
self-important II that came OF
associating with great men; and all
the knowledge l had Of him was pick'd
up on the rare occasions fabout twice
q YEAR, that ! din'd at his table. He
had early married and lost an aged
shrew, whose money had been the
making of him; and had more respect
for law and authority than any three
men in Oxford. So that l reflected,
with a kind of desperate hilarity. on the
greeting he was like to give me.
This kinsman of mine had a fine
house at the east end of Merton street
as you turn into Logis Lane; and l
was ten yards from the front door.
and running my fastest. when sudden
~ I tlipp'd and fell %headlong.
Before l could rise, a hand was on
my shoulder, and q voice speaking in
my ear:
Pardon, comrade. We are two Of n
trade. I see"
Twas 4 fellow that had been lurking
at the corner Of the lane, and had
thrust out a leg as l pasS'd. Ee was
pricking up his ears now 10 the cries
of "Thief-thief!!' that had already
reach'd The head of the street, and
Were drawing near.
Il am nc thief" said I.
Quick He dragged me into the
shadow of the lane. Hast a crown
in thy ~pocket!"
Why"
"Why? For a good turn. I'll fog
these gentry for thee. Many thanks,
comrade," rs ! pulrd out the last few
shillinss of my pocket money. Now
pitch thy sword over the wall here,
and set thy foot On my hand. IT'S a
rich mans garden, tother side, that l
was meaning to explore myself; but
another night will serve"
"'Tis Master Carter's," said I, "and
he's my kinsman.'
'Zounds.- but never mind, up with
thee! Now mark a pretty piece OF
play. IT'S pity thou shouldst be across
the wall and unable to see"
He gave a great hoist; catching at
the coping Of the wall. l pulld myself
up and sat astride of it.
Coed turf below-ta-ta, comrade".
But now the crowd was almost at the
corner. Dropping about eight feet on
to good turf. as the fellow had said, l
pick'd myself up and listen'd.
(Which way went he?" call'd one,
as they came near.
Down the street" "No; up the
lanew! Hush. up the lane, I'll be
sworn" Here, hand the lantern"
etc, etc.
While they debated, my friend stood
close on the other side Of the wall;
but now I heard him dash suddenly
out, and up the lane for his life.
"There he goes" stop him." the
cries broke out afresh. Stop him, i
the Kings name" The whole pack
went pelting by, shouting. stumbling,
swearing.
For two minutes or more the strag-
glcrs continued to hurry past by ones
and twos. AS soon as their shouts died
away, l drew freer breath and look'd
around.
Il was in a small, turfed garden. we'll
stocked with evergreen shrubs, at the
back of 4 tall house that / knew fol
Master Carriers. I remembered that
the Princes Rupert and Maurice lodged
with my kinsman, ard. breaking in
upon them. / so gained their favor
that they obliged Master Carter to pay
me my inheritance on the spot and
escorted me themselves to the city
gates, whence l set out on my travels.
CHAPTER ".
NV Adventure at the Three Cups"
So puffed was ] by the condescen.
sion Of the two princes and my head
so busy with big thoughts that not till
l was over the bridges and climbing
the high ground beyond South Hinck'
sey, with a shrewd northeast wind al
my back, could I spare time for a sec