The Cairo bulletin., 1904-12-14

Consumed If ever | wanted t have
a smoke S bad n all my born days,
| he remarked
Then he moved his holster, turned
his scabbard, and sat down quietly
putting his pipe with some look Of
WEAKNESS and reflection. We were sit
ting there less than five minutes when
we heard football near by; then sud
denly two men strobe up TO us in the
dim hight recognized at once the
easy step. the long. 1.-The figure, of his
/ lordship in the dress of a citizen. saw
4 ing sword and pistols.
4 "Ah. good evening. gentlemen said
4 he quietly. How are your
! Better than-than when we saw you
/ last" | answered.
D'rf had not moved; he looked az
me with a sympathetic smile.
~ presume" said his lordship in
that familiar, lazy tone, as he lighted
cigar there ah good room
for improvement, was there not?'
Abundant" said !. thoughtfuly
you were not in the best of health
7 yourself that evening"
True" said he; IL was IN bad
fettle and worse luck"
How are the ladies?"
"Quite WELL" said he, blowing a long
pun
Ready to deliver them?" in.
quired.
Presently" said he. There are
some formalites.
(Which are" added quickly.
"A trihe Of expenses and a cond-
| tion." said he. lazily.
How much, and wiat?" I inquired
as D'ri turned his ear
Zone thousand poEnds.' said his
lordship, quickly. Not penny more
than this matter has cost me and his
majesty"
What else?" said T.
This man. he answered calmly
with a little gesture aimed at D'ri.
My friend rose, struck his palm with
the pipe-bowl and put up his knife
"Ef We re goin' t tex me-" said he
better begin right off, er ye won't hey
TIME lore breakfast.
Then he clapped the moose-norn to
his lips and blew mighty blast. II
made the Two men jump and set the
near thicket reeling. The weird barry
tone went off moaning in the far
wastes OF timber Its rush of echoes
had begun. | put my hand to my
sabre, for there in the edge of the
gloom ] saw thing that stirred me to
the marrow. The low frs were moving
toward us, root and branch, their twigs
falling. Gods of war, 1t made my
hair stand for a iiffy to see the very
brush take feet and legs On sea OF
land | never saw thing that gave
mo so odd a feeling. We stood for
breath or two. then started back, our
sabres flashing; for. as the tWigs fell
squad of the British They came on
7 struck al the lantern. but too late
for his lordship had swung ii away
He stumbled. going to his knees: the
lantern hit the earth and went out. !
had seen the squad break. running each
way. TO surround us. D'ri grabbed my
hand as the dark fell. and we went
plunging through the little pines. hit
ting a mar heavily. who fell granting
We had begun to hear the rattle or
boats. a shouting. and quick steps on
the shore. We crouched a moment
D'ri blew the moose-horn. pulling me
aside with him quickly after the blast
Lights were now flashing near. | could
see little hope for us. and D'rl |
thought. had gone crazy. He ran al
the oncomers, yelling, Hey Rube!" al
the top of his lungs. | lay low in the
brush moment. They rushed by me
D'ri in the fore with Tending sabre. A
tawny houed was running in the lead
his nose down, baying loudly. Then
| saw the truth. and made after them
with all the speed of my legs. They
hustled over the ridge. their lights
flashing under For a jiffy could see
only. here and there. leaping glow in
the tTee-tops. rushed on. passing
enc who had tumbled headlong. The
lights below me scattered quickly and
stopped ! heard a great yelling. a
roar of muskets. and a clash of swords.
hush fell on them as came near.
Then | heard voice that thrilled me.
Your sword sir" it commanded
Stop" said T. sharply. coming
near.
There stood my father I'm the lantern
light. his sword drawn. his gray hair
stirring in the breeze. Before him
was my old adversary, his lordship
sword in hand. Near by the squad OF
British. now surrounded, were giving
MP their arms They had backed to
the rivers edge; | could hear it lap
ping their heels. His lordship sneered
looking at the veteran who stood in
a gray frock of homespun. for all the
world 4 fancy. ike one of those old
women who fought with Cromwell.
"Your sword. sir" my father re-
pested.
Pardon me-" said the young man
with fascinating GOODNESS of man
ner, but shall have to trouble you"
He hesitated feeling his blade
How" said my father.
ITO fight for It," said his lordship.
quietly
'.Srrrender. fool" my father an