Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-04-21

mine beside it, We were near the
head of the island, walking on a reedy
strip of soft earth at the river margin.
After a few PAGES we halted to listen,
but heard only the voice of the water
and the murmur of pines. Then we
pushed through thicket of small fir
trees to where we CROPPED along in
utter darkness among the big tree
trunks on a mulIle-footing After a
moment or SO we got a spray of light.
We halted, peering at 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? 1t was all the kind
of thing I enjoyed then-the atmos-
phere of peril and romance-wild youth
that | was. 1t is pity, God knows, |
had so little consideration for old Dri;
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 off into the gloom, but saw
nothing.
D'ri blew out a thoughtful breath,
looking up into the air coolly, as he
filled his pipe.
Consumed if ever l 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 a football near by; then sud-
denly two men strobe up to us in the
dim light l 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.
D'ri had not moved; he looked at
me with a sympathetic smile.
81 presume" said his lordship, in
that familiar, lazy tone, as he lighted
cigar, there was-ah-good room
for improvement, was there not?"
Abundant" said I, thoughtfully.
"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 ladies?"
quite we'll" said he, blowing a long
puff
Ready to deliver them" I in
quired.
Presently" said he. There are
some formalties.'
(Which are" I added quickly.
"a tri1e of expenses and a condi-
ton" said he, lazily.
How much, and WHAT" inquired
as D'ri turned his ear
zone thousand pounds" said his
lordship, quickly. mot penny more
than this matter has cost me and his
majesty"
What else?" said I.
lHlS man, ne 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.
EFF We re goin' t. TEX me-" said he
better begin right off. er We won't hey
time fore breakfast"
Then he clapped the moose-horn to
his lips and blew a mighty blast. It
fun inn, of he
near thicket reelng. The weird barry
tone went off moaning in the far
wastes of timber. It's rush of echoes
had begun. I put my hand to my
sabre for there in the edge of the
gloom I saw thing that stirred me to
the marrow. The low frs were moving
toward MS root and branch. their twigs
falling. Gods of war, ii made my
hair stand for a iiffy to see the very
brush take feet and legs. On sea or
land I never saw a thing that gave
me so odd feeling. We stood for
a breath or two, then started back. ON
sabres flashing; for as the twigs fell
we saw they had been decorating a
squad of the British. They came on
I struck al the lantern. but too late
for his lOrdship had swung it 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 man heavily, who fell grunting
We had begun to hear the rattle OF
boats, shouting, and quick steps or
the shore. We crouched a moment
D'ri blew the moose-hOrn. pulling ms
aside with him quickly after the blast
Lights We're now flashing near. could
, see little hope for us. and D'ri,
: thought, had gone crazy. He ran a
: the oncomers, yelling. Hey Rube!" a
the ton of his lungs I Law low in tn,