Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-28

hours with many tale of the river and that island we were soon to visit once the refuge of Tadusac, the ole river pirate, so he told us, with cave now haunted by some ghost. We start. ed for the shore near ten o'clock, the 1nnkeeper leading us with lantern, its light f1ickering in a west wind The sky was cloudy, the night dark. Our host lent us the lantern, kindly offer ing to build bonfire on the beach at Il, to light us home.
 Careful, boys" said the innkeeper as we got aboard. Aim straight fer tn head O tn island. Can't ye see it right ever yer heads there? Mem Der, they s awful rough water below. " ' We pushed off, Dri leading. l could see nothing of the island, but D'ri had better eyes, and kept calling me as he went ahead. After few strokes of the paddle could see on the dark sky the darker mass of tree-tops. Better light up,"'I suggested Wa were now close in.
 ''Hush!'' he hissed. Then, as came up to him, he went on, whispering: "'T ain't bes t mek no noise here Don know none tew much bout this here business. Don cal'late We re soin' t hey any trouble, but if we dew | --Hark!"
 i We had both heard a stir in the bushes, and stuck our paddles in the sand, listening. After little silence heard D'ri get up and step stealthily into the water and buckle on his sword. Then I could hear him sinking the canoe and showing her anchor deep into the sand. He did it with no noise that. 50 feet away, could have been distinguished from that of the ever murmur1Eg waters. In a moment he came and held my canoe, while I also took up my trusty blade, stepping out of the canoe into the shallow water. Then he showed her off little, and sank her beside the other. I knew not his purpose, and made no question of it, following him as he strode the shore with measured paces, the lan- tern upon his arm. Then presently he stuck his paddle into the bushes. and mine beside it. We were near the head of the island, walking on a reedy strip of soft earth at the river margin. After few paces 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 groped along in utter darkness among the big tree trunks on muffle-footing. After a moment or so we got spray of light. We halted. peering at the glow that now sprinkled out through many a pinhole aperture in fairy lattice of pine needles.
 My heart was beating loudly. for there was the promised lantern. Was l not soon to see the brighter light of those dear faces? It was all the kind of thing I enjoyed then-the atmos- phere of peril and rumance-wild youth that ] was. It is pity, God knows. I 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 tall tree, and beneath it was wide opening we'll carpeted with moss and needles. We peered of into the gloom, but saw nothing.
 D'ri blew out thoughtful breath, looking up into the air coolly, as he filled his pipe.
 ''Consarned if ever I wanted t have smoke s bad n all my born days" he remarked.
 Then he moved his holster, turned his scabbard, and sat down quietly, pulling his pipe with some look of weariness and reflection. We were sit ting there less than five minutes when we heard fOotfall near by; then sud denly two men strOde up to us in the dim light I recognized at once the easy step. the long. 1.-the figure. of his lordship in the dress of citizen, sav- ing sword and pistols.
 "Ah. good evening" gentlemen" said he. quietly. How are you?"
 Better than-than when we saw you last 1 answered.
 D'ri had not moved: he looked at me with 8 sympathetic smile.
 T presume" said his lordship, in that familiar. lazy tone. as he lighted a 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: IT vas in bad fettle and worse luck"
 How arc the ladies?"
 Quite well" said he. blowing a long puff.
 Ready to deliver them." in auired.
 Presently" said he. There are some formalities'
 Which are-?' added quickly.
 "A trifie of expenses and condi- fiOn," said he. lazily.
 How much. and what" inquired. as D'ri turned his ear.
 One thousand pounds said his ioriship. quickly. Not penny more than this natter has cost me and hiz majesty"
 "Whai eise?" said I.
 This man" he answered calmly. with a little gesture aimed al D'ri.
 My friend rose. struck his palm with the pipe-bowl. and put up his knife.
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