Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-04-14

CHAPTER XVIII.
1t was a lucky and a stubborn sea-
fight. More blood to the number I
never saw than fell on the Lawrence;
SO of our 102 men having beer killed or
laid up for repair. One has to search
a bit for record of a more wicked fire.
But we deserve not all the glory some
histories have bestowed, for we had
a larger fleet and better, if fewer, guns.
1t was, however, a thing to be proud
of, that victory Of the young captain.
Our men, of whom many were raw re-
cruits-farmers and woodsmen-stood
to their work with splendid valor, and,
for us in the north, it came near being
decisive. D'ri and l were SO put out
of business that no part of the glory
was ours, albeit We were praised in
orders for valor under fire. But for
both l say we had never less pride
of ourselves in any affair we had had
to do with. Well, as l have said be-
fore, we were at our best with a sa-
Der, and big guns were out of our
line.
We went into hospital awhile, D'ri
d lhS Odu6hL SOlu III 6OhO OIl VI Las
head with fever. We had need of a
spell on our backs for what with all
our s~teeplechasing over yawning
graves-that is the way l always think
of tive were somewhat out of breath.
No news had reached me of the count
or the young ladies', and | took some
worry to bed with me, but was up in
a week and ready for more trouble.
l had to sit with D'ri awhile before he
could noun a horse.
September was nearing its last day
when we got off a brig at the Har-
Dor. We were no sooner at the dock
than some one began to tell us of a
new plan for the invasion of Canada.
l knew Brown had had no part in it,
for he said in my hearing once that
it was too big a chunk to bite off.
There were letters from the count
and Therese, his daughter. They had
news for me, and would l not ride
over as soon as l returned? My
mother-dearest and best of mothers
had written me, and her tenderness
cut me like a sword for the way l had
neglected her. Well, it is ever so with
a young nan whose heart has found a
new queen. l took the missive with
wet eyes to our good farmer-general
of the north. He read it, and spoke
with feeling of his own mother gone
to her long rest.
Bell" said he, you are worn out.
After mess in the morning mount your
horses, you and the corporal, and go
and visit them. Report here for duty
on October 16."
Then, as ever after a kindness, he
renewed his quid of tobacco, turning
quickly to the Uttered desk at head
quarters.
We mounted our own horses a fine,
frosty morning. The white earth glim-
mered in the first touch of sunlight.
All the fairy lanterns Of the frost king,
hanging in the stubble and the dead
grass, glowed a brief time, fickered
family, and went out. Then the brown
sward lay bare, ave in the shadows Of
rock or hill or forest that were still
white. A great glory had fallen over
the ~far-reaching woods. Looking down
a long valley, we could see towers of
eve 3 CELL, ltll dCCS VI CT dllu DlOWu,
golden steeple-tops, gilded domes min
areted with lavender and purple and
draIed with scarlet banners. 1t seemed
as if the trees were striving after all
the green riot of summer, and making
ready for sackcloth and ashes. Some
stood trembling, and as if drenched in
their own blood. Now and then a
head was bare and bent, and naked
arms were lifted high, as if to implore
mercy.
Fine air." said I, breathing deep as
we rode on slowly.
cot is sart'n." said D'ri. Mother
used t say at the frost wus only the
breath O. angels, an when it melted
it gin us a leetle O. the the air O.
heaven"
Of earth or heaven, it quickened us
ell with new life. The horses fretted
for their heads, and went off at a gal
lop, needing no cluck or spur. We
pulled up at the chateau well before
the luncheon hour. D'ri took the
horses. and | was shown to the library.