The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-12-07

DotleI eyes, anu Acpl NdliluS uf- 90 nt
went ahead. After few strokes oil the
paddle could see on the dark sky the
darker mass Of tree-tops.
Better light up" | suggested. We
were now close in.
"Hushl" he Kissed. Then, as l came
up to him, he went on, whispering:
"'T amt bes' { mex no noise here.
Don know none tew much bout this
here business. Don' callate We re
goin' { hev any trouble, but il We dew
--Hark!"
We had both heard a stir in the
bushes, and stuck our paddles in the
sand listening. After a little silence
heard D'ri get up and step stealthily
into the water and buckle on his
sword. Then / could hear him sinking
the canoe and showing her anchor deep
into the sand. He did IL with 10 noise
that, 80 feet away, could have been
distinguished from that OF the ever
murmuring waters. In a moment he
came and held my canoe, while l also
took up my trusty blade, stepping out
of the canoe into the shallow water.
Then he showed her on a little, and
sank her beside the other. knew not
his purpose, and made no question OF
IL. following him as he STROBE the
shore with measured PAGES, the Ian
tern upon his arm. Then presently he
stuck his paddle into the bushes, and
mine beside IL. We were near the
head of the island, walking on a reedy
strip of soft earth at the river margin.
After few PAGES We halted to listen.
but heard only the voice of the water
and the murmur of pines. Then We
pushed through a thicket Of small fir
trees to where We CROPPED along in
utter darkness among the big tree
trunks on a mufle-footing. After a
moment or so we got a spray Of light.
We halted, peering al the glow that
now sprinkled out through many
pinhole aperture in a fairy lattice Of
pine needles.
My heart was beating loudly for
there was the promised lantern. Was
| not soon to see the brighter light Of
those dear faces? II was all the kind
of thing | enjoyed then-the atmos-
phere of peril and romance-wild youth
that | was. 1t is a pity. God knows, !
had so little consideration for old D'ri;
but he loved me, and--well, he himself
had some pleasure in excitement
We halted for only a moment.
pushing boldly through a thicket OF
young pines into the light. a lantern
hung on the bough of a tall tree, and
beneath it was a wide opening well
carpeted with moss and needles. We
peered OF into the gloom, but saw
nothing.
Dri blew out a thoughtful breath,
looking up into the air coolly. as he
filled his pipe.
"Consarned If ever wanted { 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 we're sit
ting there less than five minutes when
we heard a football near by; then sud
denly two men strobe up to US in the
dim light recognized at once the
easy step. the long, 1.-the figure Of his
lordship in the dress Of a citizen, saw
ing sword and pistols.
"Ah. good evening. gentlemen" said
he. quietly. How are you?"
Better than--than when we saw you
last" | answered.
Dri had not moved: he looked az
me with a sympathetic smile.
81 presume" said his lordship. in
that familiar, lazy tone as he lighted
a cigar, there s-ah-gOod room
for improvement. was there not?"
Abundant" said I, thoushtfully.
"You were not In the best of health
yourself that evening""
True" said he; IL was IN bad
fettle and worse luck"
How are the ladles?"
Quite WELL" said he, blowing long
puff.
Ready to deliver them" in
quired.
Presently" said be. "There are
some formalHles"
(which are--7v I added quickly.
"A trifle OF expenses and a condi-
tion." said he, laziiy.
How much, and what7" I inquired,
as D'ri turned his ear.
"One thousand pounds" said hts
lordship. quickly. Not a penny more
than this matter has cost me and his
majesty"
What else?" said l.
This man." he answered calmly. !
with q little gesture aimed AT D'ri
My friend rose, struck mis- palm with |
the pipe-bowl, and put up his knife.
"Ef ye re goin' Z TEX me-" said he.
better begin right of. er ye won't hey
time fore breakfast"
Then he clapped the moose-horn to
his lips and blew a mighty blast II
made the two men jump and set the
near thicket Keeling. The weird barry
tone went of 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