The Cairo bulletin., 1904-12-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

j., cf our 1902 men having been killed O.
's,d up for repair. One has to search
G bit for record OF a more wicked fire
But We deserve not all the glory som,
histories have bestowed, for we hat
larger feet and better, if fewer, guns
II was, however, thing TO be proud
Of that victory of the young captain
Our men. Of whom many were raw re-
eruits-farmers and woodsmen- stood
to their work with splendid valor, and
for us in the north. it came near being
decisive. D'ri and | were so put out
OF business that no part of the glory
was ours, albeit We were praised in
orders for valor under fire. But for
both | say we had never less pride
Of ourselves in any affair we had had
20 do with. Well, as | have said be-
fore, we were at our best with a sa-
Der, and big guns We're out of our
line.
We went into hospital awhile, D'ri
having caught cold and gone out of his
head with fever We had need of a
spell on our backs for what with all
cur steeplechasng over yawning
craves-that is the way | always think
OF tive were somewhat out of breath
No news had reached me of the count
or the young ladies, and took some
worry TO bed with me, but was up in
week and ready for more trouble.
had to sit with D'ri awhile before he
could mount a horse
Crnt0n, I.o,. ,,o,,.s.,..
when We got off brig al the liar-
hor. We were no sooner at the dock
than some one began to tell us OF a
new plan for he invasion of Canada
knew Brown had had no part in it,
for he said in my hearing once that
It was too big a chunk to bite off.
There were letters from the count
and Therese, his daughter. They had
news for me, and would | not ride
over as soon as | returned? My
mother-dearest and best of mothers
had written me, and her tenderness
cut me like sword for the way had
neglected her. Well, IL is ever so wish
young man whose heart has found a
new queen ] took, the missive with
wet eyes TO our good Encouragement
OF The north. He read it. and spoke
with feeling OF his own mother gone
TO her long rest.
Bell, said he, you are worn out
After mess in the morning mount your
horses. you and the corporal. and 90
and visit them. Report here for duty
on October 16."
Then as ever after kindness. he
renewed his guild of tobacco, turning
quickly to the Uttered desk at head
quarters
We mounted our own horses a fine,
frosty morning The white earth glim-
mcred in the first touch of sunlight.
All the fairy lanterns of the frost king
hanging in the stubble and the dead
grass, glowed brief time, fickered
family, and Went out Then the brown
sward lay bare, save in the shadows Of
rock or hill or forest that were still
white. A great glory had fallen over
the far-reachins woods Looking down
a long valley we could see towers of
evergreen. terraces of red and brown.
golden steeple-tops, gilded domes min
areted with lavender and purple and
draTed with scarlet banners. II seemed
as if the trees were striving after all
The green riot of summer, and making
ready for sackcloth and ashes Some
stood trembling, and as If drenched in
their own blood. Now and then a
lead was bare and bent. and naked
arms were lifted high, as if TO implore
mercy
Fine air" said /, breathing deep as
we rode on slowly.
IT is sart'n," said D'ri. Mother
used { say at The frost wus only the
breath O. angels. an when it melted
it gin us a leetle o. the the air o
heaven"
OF earth or heaven, il quickened us |
al with new life. The horses fretted |
Tor their heads. and went on at gal !
Top. needing no cluck or spur. We
pulled up at the chateau we'll before |
the luncheon hour. Dr took the /
horses. and / was shown to the library.
where the count came shortly, TO give /
me hearty welcome.
And what of the captiyes?' | in |
quired, our greeting over.
Alas, it is terrible; they have not I
returned, said he, and | am in great |
trouble, for | have not written to |
France of their peril Dieu. | hoped I
they would be soon released. They are [
well ana now we have good news. En- /
bien. we hope TO see them soon. But
of that Therese shall tell you. And /
You have had a terrible time on Lake I
Erie?"
He had read of The battle. bur /
wanted my view Of it. | told the story |
of the Lawrence and Perry; Of what
D'ri and ] had hoped to do. and OF |
what had been done 10 us My &C
count of D'ri-his droll comment. his /
valor his misfortune-touched and /
tickled the count He laughed. he 1
elapped his hands. he shed tears of en-
lhusiasm: then he rang a bell.
The M'sieur D'ri-bring him here,
said he to a servant
D'ri came soon with worried look. 1
his trousers caught on his boot-tops,
Al old felt hat in his hand. Somehow
he and the hat were as King and coro-
nal in their mutual fitness. if he lost /