The Irish standard., 1905-05-06
'@
D'ri and /
By IRVING BACHELLER
Author Of "Eben Holden" "Darrel Of
the Blessed Isles" Etc.
Copyright, 1901. by Lothrop Publishing Company. 5
CHAPTER XIII.-CoSr1NuEp.

CHAPTER RX1lI.-CoNTINUED.
Some seconds of brief silence fol-
lowed. could hear them slowly drip
ping out OF eternity in the tick of
watch near me. felt the stare of
many eyes invisible to me. A broad
beam OF bright light shot through the
gloom, resting full upon my face.
started back upon the strong hands
behind me. Then l felt my muscles
tighten as began to measure the fall
and to wonder if l could clear the
bayonets. l had no doubt l was to
die shortly, and it mattered not to
me how, bound as l was, so that it
came soon. For breath of silence my
soul went up to the feet of God for
help and hope. Then l bent my knees
and leaped. I saw much as my tody
went rushing through the air an
empty grave, its heap of earth be-
side 1t, an island of light, walled
with candles, in a sea of gloom,
faces showing dimly in the edge
of the darkness. THANK God!
] shall clear the bayonets," l
thought, and struck heavily on soft
mat, covered over with green turf, a
little beyond that bristling bed. I
staggered backward, falling upon it.
To my surprise, it bent beneath me.
They were no bayonets, but only shells
of painted paper. l got to my feet
none the worse for jumping, and as
dumfounded as ever man could be-
l stood on a lot of broken turf with
which wide floor had been overlaid.
Boards and timbers were cut away, and
the grave dug beneath them. l saw
one face among others in the gloom
beyond the candle rows-that of his
lordship. He was coming up little
flight of stairs to where l stood. He
moved the candles, making a small
passage, and came up to me.
you're brave man." said he, in
that low. careless tone of his.
"And you a coward" was my an
swer, for the sight of him had made
me burn with anger.
Don't commit yourself on a point
like that" said he, quickly, "for, you
know, we are not well acquainted. l
like your pluck, and offer you what
Is given to few here-an explanation"
He paused, lighting a cigarette l
stood looking at him. The cold po-
likeness of manner with which he had
taken my taunt, his perfect self-mas-
terry, filled me with wonder. He was
no callow youth, that man, whoever
he might be. He was boring at the
floor with the end of a timber cane
as he continued to address me.
"Now, look here" he went on, with
a little gesture Of his left hand, be.
| tween the fingers of which a cigarette
was burning. "You are now in the
temple of a patriotic society acting with
no letters patent but in the good cause
of his Most Excellent Majesty King
George ILL.,, to whom be health and
happiness"
AS he spoke the name he raised his
hat, and cheer came from all sides
of us.
ut is gathered this night" he con-
| tinued, "te avenge the death of Lord
Ronley, friend of his Majesty, and OF
| many here present, and an honored
member of this order. For his death
you, and you alone, are responsible,
and, we suspect, under circumstances
! Of no credit to your sword. Many of
! our people have been cut off from
their comrades and slain by cowardly
stealth, have been led into ambush and
| cruelty cut to pieces by overwhelming
number, have been SHUT in prison and
done to death by starvation or by
stabs of knife there in your country.
Not content with the weapons Of q
soldier, you have even resorted to the
barbarity Of the poison-wasp Par
don me, but you Yankees do not seem
to have any mercy or fairness for a
foe. We shall give you better treat
ment You shall not be killed like a
rat in trap. You shall have chance
for your life. Had you halted, had
you been a coward, you would not have
been worthy to fight in this arena.
You would not have come where you
are standing, and possibly even now
your grave would have been filled. II
Jou Jul NANO CuO VI uCdl tudJ " CO1A01
hope it will prove an example to you
of the honor that is due to bravery,
of the fairness due foe"
Many voices spoke the word amen
as he stopped, turning to beckon in
to the gloom about us. 1 was now quite
over my confusion. l began to look
about me and get my bearings. could
hear stir in the crowd beyond the
lights, and mu1mur of voices. Re-
fiecting lanterns from many pillars
near by shot their rays upon me.
stood on platform, some 30 feet
square, in the middle of large room.
Ms floor was on level with the faces
of the many who stood pressing to
the row of lights. Here, took it, l
was to fight for my life l was looking
at the yawning grave in the corner of
this arena, when four men ascended
with swords and pistols. One Of them
removed the sha,kles, letting my
hands free. thanked him as he
tossed them aside. was thinking of
D'ri, and, shading my eyes, looked of
In the gloom to see if could discover
him. I called his name, but heard no
answer. His lordship came over to
me, bringing a new sword He held
the glittering blade before me, its hilt
in his right hand, its point resting on
the fingers Of his left.
1T s good" said he, quietly; "try
It."
1t was beautiful! weapon, its guard
and nominal and I11lillnns snarl1lin