The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-12-08


been hurt too often. Fast riding over
a new trail is leaping in the dark and
worse than treason to ones self. Add
TO il a saddle wet with your own blood,
then You have something TO give you
a turn OF the stomach thinking of il.
When | was near tumbling with
kind of rib-ache and could hear no pur-
suer. | pulled mp. There was silence
about me, save the sound Of a light
breeze in the tree-tops. | rolled Off
my horse, and hooked my elbow in
the reins, and lay on my belly, grunt-
ing with pain. | felt better, having
got my breath, and a rod of beech TO
bite upon-a good thing if one has been
badly stung and has a journey to make.
I'm five minutes | was up and off at a
slow jog. for knew | was near safety.
| thought much of poor D'ri and
how he might be faring. The last
had seen of him, he was making good
use Of pistol and legs, running from
tree TO tree. He was a dead shot, little
given TO wasting lead. The drums were
what worried me, for they indicated
a big camp, and unless he got to the
stirrups in short order he must have
been taken by overwhelming odds.
1t was near shutdown when | came to
a brook and falls | could not remem-
Der passing. | looked about me. Some
where | had gone off the old trail
everything was new TO me. 1t widened,
as | rode on. up steep hill. Where
the tree-tops opened, the hill was Gov
cred with messy turf, and there were
fragrant ferns on each side of me.
The ground was clear of brush and
dead timber Suddenly | heard a voice
singins-a sweet girl voice that thrilled
me, | do not know why, save that |
always longed for the touch of a wo-
man if badly hurt But then | have
felt that way having the pain of neither
lead nor steel The voice rang i'm the
silent woods, but | could see no one
nor any sign of human habitation.
Shortly l came out upon a smooth
roadway carpeted with sawdust 1t
led through a grove, and following it,
| came suddenly upon a big green man
sion among the trees, with Doric pill
lars and a great porticO where ham,
mocks hung with soft cushions in
them, and easy-chairs of old mahog-
any stood empty. / have said as little
as possible of my aching wound: l
have always thought il bad enough
for one TO suffer his own pain. But |
must say l was never so tried
10 keep my head above me as
when l came to that door. Two
figures in white came out to meet me.
At first / did not OBSERVE had enough
to do keeping my eyes open-that they
were the Miles. de Lambert.
God save u.s." l heard one of them
say. He is hurt; he is pale. See the
blood running of his bootleg"
Then. as one took the bit, the other
easeG me down from my saddle. calling
loudly for help She took her hand
kerchief-that had a perfume l have
not yet forgOtten-as she supported
me, and wiped the sweat and dust from
my face. Then / saw they were the
splendid young ladies l had seen at
The counts table. The discovery put
new life in me; it was like a dash Of
water in The face / lifted my hat
and bowed 10 them.
Ladies my thanks TO you l said
in as good French as | knew. Il have
been shot May l ask you to send
for a doctor?"
\ butler ran down the steps; a gar
a. nd cfa no, D tod Of
The grove.
ITO the big room-the Louis
Quinze,' said one of the girls excited
~. as the men came TO my help.
The fat butler went putting upstairs.
and they followed, on each side of
me.
Go for a doctor, quick" said one Of
them TO the gardener, who was coming
belinda Frenchman who prayed to
saint as he saw my blood.
They led me across a great green rug
in large hall above-stairs to a cham
Der of which ! saw little then save its
size and the wealth of its appoint
ments. The young ladies set me down,
bidding one TO take off my boots, and
sending another for hot water. They
asked me where | was hurt. Then
they took off my blouse and waist
coat.
Mon Dier," said one to the other.
What can we do? Shall we cut the
shirt"
Certainly. Cut the shirt" said the
other. I'VE must help him. We can
not let him die"
God forbid" was the answer. "See
the blood Poor fellow! 1t is terri
ble!"
They spoke very tenderly as they
cut my shirt with scissors, and barred
my back. and washed my wound with
warm water. l never felt a touch so
caressing as that of their light fingers,
but, gods of war! it did hurt me. The
bathing done, they bound me big with
bandages and left the room until the
butler had helped me into bed. They
came soon with spirits and bathed my
face and hands. One leaned over me.
whispering. and asking what | would
like 10 eat Directly team of horses
came prancing 10 the door.
The colonel" one of them whis-