Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-12-06
Harry beseeches Sir Humphrey
10 save Mary

I Caught a glimpse of mighty re-
treat Of plunging launches of Parson
Downs horse, and indeed the gist OF
the blame for it all was afterward put
upon the parsons great fiery horse,
which 1t was claimed had run away
with him first into the fight, then away
from it, such foolish reasons do men
bve to give for the lapses of the clergy.
However, to do the parson justice,
he did not fly until he saw the day was
lost. and, trow, did afterward better
service to me than he might have done
by staying. AS for the burgesses,
know not whittier nor when they had
gone, for they had melted away like
shadows by reason of the great OBJ
loouy which would have attached to
them should men in their high office
have been discovered in such work
Ralph Drake was left, who made a
push toward me with hoarse shout,
and then he fell, though not severely
wounded, and then the soldiers pressed
closer. And then felt again the door
Weld at my back, and before / knew II
l was dragged inside, and, in spite OF
the pressure Of the mob, the door was
pushed to with incredible swiftness by
Humphrey Hyde's great strength ana
the bolt shot. =.
There | lay on the floor Of the hall
we'll nigh spent, and Mary Cavendish
was chatting my hands, bandaging my
wounds with some linen got | knew
not whence. and Catherine was there,
and all the time the great battering
blows upon the door were kept up, ana
also on the window shutters, and the
door began to shake.
Then remembered something. There
was behind the house creek which
was dry in midsummer, but often, as
now, in springtime, swollen with rains'
and of sufficient depth and force to
float boat. And when it was possible
II had been the custom to send stores
of tobacco for lading on shipboard to
England by this short cut OF the creek,
which discharged itself into the river
below, and there was for that purpose
great boat in the cellar, and also u
door and little landing.
l. remembering this, whispered TO
Mary Cavendish with all the strength
which could muster.
For Gods sake" cried, "go you to
the cellar-the bOat-the creek
But Mary looked at me, and l can
see her face now.
think you l did not know OF that
way?" she said. "And you think
would leave you here to die? NO, lei
them come in and do their worst"
Then I turned to Sir Humphrey HYDE
"For Gods sake, lad," 1 cried, III you
love her, save her! Only moment and
they will be in here. Hear the dool
tremble. and then twill be arrest and
Imprisonment, and-I tell thee, lad
/ leave ME and save them"
"They can do as they choose" CRIED
Mary. Then she turned to Sir Hum
phrey. "Take Catherine, and she will
show YOU the way out by the creek
she said. "As for me, remain here
Catherine bent over me and tighteneo
q bsndage. but she did not speak. Sill
, Humphrey looked at me palely ano
doubtfully.
Harry" he said, II can carry thee
TO the boat, and we can all escape IN
that way"
"Yes," replied, "but II l escape
through them twill serve to convic,
them, and-and-besides, lad, / cannot
be moved, for the bleeding OF my
wounds, such long way; and, besides
II ia at the best arrest for me, since
have been, seen by the whole posse and
have shot down Captain Waller
Whittier could fly, pray? Not BACK
to England. Nc they will take In Gus
tody in any case, and they Will mol
shoot a wounded captive. My life II
safe for the time being. Humphrey
With that l beckoned him to lean ovel
me, which he did, putting his ear close
"seize Mary by force and bear he'
away, lad" whispered; down cellal
to the boat. Catherine will show thet
the way"
81 cannot, Harry" he Whispered
back. and as live the tears were In tn
boys eyes. 81 cannot leave thee
Harry"
"You must. There is no other wa!
| II you would save her." l Whispered
back. "And what good can You DO D!