The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-06-10

fettle and worse luck"
How are the ladies?"
quite well,' said he, blowing long
puff.
Ready to deliver them?" I in
quired.
Presently" said he. There are
some formalities."
(Which ARE" I added quickly.
"a triGe of expenses and condi-
tion." said he, lazily.
"How much, and WHAT" inquired,
- Dri turned his ear.
Zone thousand pounds" said his
lordship. quickly. Not penny more
than this matter has cost me and his
majesty"
"What clse?" said I.
This man." he answered calmly,
with little gesture aimed at Dri.
My friend rose, sNuck his palm with
the pipe-bowl, and put up his knife.
EFF we re goin' t tex me-" said he,
better begin right off err We won't hev
time fore breakfast"
Then he clapped the moose-horn to
his lips and blew a mighty blast. 1t
made the two men jump and set the
near thirkct reclinr. The weird barry
tone went off moaning in the far
wastes of timber. Its rush of echoes
had begun. put my hand to my
sabre, for there in the edge of the
gloom | saw thing that stirred me to
the marrow. The low frs wore moving
toward us. root and branch. their twigs
falling. Gods of war! it made nv
hair stand for fifty to SEQ the very
brush take feet and legs. On sea or
land | never saw thing that gave
me so odd a feeling. We stood for
a breath or two. then started back, our
sabres flashing: for. as the twiss fell.
we saw they had been decorating a
squad Of the British. They came on.
struck al the lantern, but too late.
for his lordship had swung it away
Gle stumbled. going TO his knees; the
Lantern hit the earth and went out. I
had seen tho squad break. running each
way, to surround lis. Dri grabbed my
hand as the dark fell. end we went
plunging through the little pines. hit
ting man heavily. who fell @runting.
We had begun to hear the rattle or
boats, shouting. and quick steps on
the shore. We crourhcd Il moment
D'ri blew the moosc-horn. pulling mo
aside with him quickly after the blast
Lights were now flashing near | could
sec little hope for us. and Dri, |
thought, had gone crazy. He ran at
the oncomers, yelling, Hey Rubc!" at
the top of his lungs. lay low in tho
brush moment. They rushed by me,
D'ri in the fore with Tending sabre. A
tawny hound was running in tho lead,
his nose down, baying loudly. Then
saw the truth, and made after them
with all the speed of my legs. They
hustled over the ridge. their lights
flashing under. For iiffy could SEQ
only, here and there a leaping glow in
the tree-tops. | rushed on, passing
one who had tumbled headlong. The
lights below me scattered quickly and
stopped. heard a great yelling, n
roar Of muskcts, and clash of swords.
A hush fell on them as l came near
Then heard voice that thrilled me-
"Your sword, sr!" it commanded.
STOP" said I, sharply, coming
near.
There stood my father in the lantern
light, his sword drawn, his gray hair
stirring in Tic breeze. Before him
was my old adversary. his lordship,
sword in hand Near by the squad Of
British, now surrounded, were giving
up their arms. They had backed to
the rivers edge; could hear it lap
ping their heels. His lordship sncercd,
looking at the veteran who stood in
a gray frock of homcspun for all the
world, fancy, like one of those old
yeomen who fought with Cromwell
"Your sword, sir" my father re-
peated.
Pardon me-" said the young man,
with q fascinating GOODNESS Of man.
ner, "but ! shall have to trouble YOU"
He hesitatcd, feeling his blade.
"How?" said my father.
ITO fight for It," said his lordship
quietly.
"surrender-fool!" my father an
swered. you cannot escape"
'"rut, TUT" said his lordship. 81
never heard so poor compliment
Come in reach, and shall make you
think better of me-"
"Give up your sword"
"After my life then my sword" said
he, with a quick thrust.
Before | could take a step, their
swords were clashing in deadly COM
bat | rushed up to break in upon
them, but the air was full of steel, and
then my father needed no help. He
was driving his man with fiery vigor.
I had never seen him fight; all had
seen of his power had been mere play
1t was grand TO see the old man
fighting as if, for a moment, his youth
not go far. His fire would burn out
quickly; then the blade of the young
Britisher, tirclcss and quick as l knew
1t to be, would let lis blood before my
very eyes. What to do | knew not.
Again | came up to them; but my
father warned me off holly. He was
fighting with terrific energy. I swear
to you that in half minute he had
broken the sword of his lordship, who
took to the water, swimming for his
life. leaped in, catching him half
over the eddy, where we fought like
madmen, striking in the air and bump
ing on the bottom. We were both
near drowned when D'ri swan out and
gave me his belt-Qd. hauling us in.