Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-03-10
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D'ri and | |
By IRVING BACHELLER
Author of " Ebaa Holden" Darrell Of
the Blessed Isles, Etc.
CHAPTER XII.

lOuHu the uOOI, anu - II HuHS our
"duds" into the darkness that lay be-
You'd it, Then he made down the lad
der and | after him. 1t was pitch
dark in the ccllar-a deep, dank place
with a rank odor of rotting potatoes.
We CROPPED our way to a corner and
stood listening We heard the clink
of spurs on the stone step.
"Ah, my good woman" said man
with a marked English accent, have
you seen any Yankees? Woods are
full of them around here. No? Well
by Jove, you're a good-looliing woman.
VIII you give me a kiss?"
He crossed the floor above us, and
she was backing away.
Come, come. don't be so shy, my
pretty woman" said he, and then we
could hear her struggling up and down
the floor. | was climbing the ladder
in the midst of it, my face burning
with anger, and D'ri was at my heels
AS the door opened saw she had fall
len. The trooper was bending to kiss
her. had him by the collar and had
hauled him down before he discovered
us. In a twnkling D'ri had stripped
him of sword and pistol. But it was
one of the most hopeless situations in
all my life. Many muzzles were point
ing at us through the door and win
dow. Another hostile move from either
would have ended our history then
and there let go and stood back.
The man got to his feet-a handsome
soldier in the full uniform of a British
captain.
"Ah, there's fine pair!" he said
coolly whipping a leg of his trousers
with his glove Il II teach you better
manners, my young fellow. Some O.
those shipwrecked Yankees" he added,
turning to his men. IF they move
without an order, pin EN- up to the
wall"
He picked up his hat leisurely, step
ping in front of Dri.
Nov, my obliging friend" said he
holding out his hand, 81 II trouble you
for my sword and pistol"
Dri glanced over at me, an ugly
look in his eye. He would have fought
to his death then and there if | had
given him the word. He was game to
the core when his blood was up, the
same old Dri.
Don't fight" I said.
He had cooked the pistol and stood
braced the sword in his right hand.
noticed little culver in the great
sinews of his wrist | expected to see
that point of steel shoot, with quick
stab, into the scarlet blouse before
me
Shoot n be damned" said D'ri.
"Fore die we II hev a hole er tew n
tibet air karkiss O yourn. Shan't give
up no weepon tell we've gin me yer
word We II let tibet air woman alone. u
expected a volley then. A very
serious look came over the face of the
captain. He wiped his brow with a
handkerchief could see that he had
been drinking.
"Ah, l see! You have an interest in
her Well, my man l want no share
in your treasures. | accept the condi-
ton"
Evil as was the flavor of this poor
concession, Dri made the best of it
"She s an honest woman for all
know" said he, handing over the
weapons. Amt a-goin t see no ledy
mishused-nut eff can help it,
We gave ourselves up hand and
foot to the enemy; there was no way
out of it. | have read in the story
books how men of great nerve and skill
have slaughtered five to one, escapint
with no great loss of blood. Well, o
brave man | like to believe gooC
things. My own eyes have seen wha
has made me slow to doubt story o
prowess that has even the merit o
possibility. But when there are onl!
two of you, and one without arms
and you are in corner, and there ar
10 pistols pointing at you few fee
away, and as many sabers ready t
he drawn, say no power less remark
able than that of God or a novels
can bring you out of your difficulty
You have your choice of two evils
surrender or be cut to pieces. w
d, had neither of lis any longing to b
slashed with steel and bored with bul
lets. and to no end but a good epitapl
They searched the cellar and foun
our clothes, and wrapped them in bun
ole Then they tied our hands behind Ii
and took us along the road on which
had lately ridden. A crowd came jeeI
ing to the highway as we passed tn
little village It was my great fear tina
somebody would recognize either on
or both of us
Four of our men were sitting in
guard house at the British camp. Ate
noon mess a teamster drove up with
big wagon. Guards came and shackle
us in pairs, Dri being wrist TO wris
with me. They put a chain and ba
on D'ri's leg also. | wondered why, fC
no other was treated with like respec
Then they bundled US all into the We
gon, now surrounded by impatieI
cavalry. They put blindfold over tn
ewes Of each prisoner and went ava