Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-02-07

Which a,e-?" added quickly.
"a trifle of expenses and a condi-
tion," said he, lazily.
How much, and what?" I inquired,
as D'ri turned his ear.
Zone thousand pounds" said his
lordship, quickly. mot a penny more
than this matter has cost me and his
majesty"
What else?" said I.
This man." he answered calmly,
with little gesture aimed at D'ri.
My friend rose, struck his palm with
the pipe-bowl, and put up his knife.
EFF ye re goin' t. TEX me-" said he,
"better begin right off. er 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 thicket Keeling. The weird barry
tone went off moaning in the far
wastes Of timber. It's rush of echoes
had begun. l 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 were moving
toward us, root and branch, their twigs
falling. Gods of war! 1t made my
hair stand for jiffy to see the very
brush take feet and legs. On sea or
land never saw thing that gave
me so odd feeling. We stood for
breath or two, then started back, our
sabres flashing; for, as the twigs fell,
we saw they had been decorating
squad Of the British. They came on.
struck at 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. I
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 man heavily who fell granting.
We had begun to hear the rattle OF
boats. shouting, and quick steps on
the shore. We crouched moment.
D'ri blew the moose-horn, pulling me
aside with him quickly after the blast.
Lights were now flashing near. could
see little hope for us, and D'ri, l
thought, had gone crazy. He ran at
the oncomers, yelling, "Hey Rube!" at
the top Of his lungs. lay low in the
brush moment. They rushed by me,
D'ri in the fore with Tending sabre A
tawny hound was running in the 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 a jiffy l could see
only. here and there, leaping glow In
the tree-tops. l rushed on, passing
one who had tumbled headlong. The
lights below me scattered quickly and
stopped l heard great yelling, a
roar of muskets, and clash of swords.
A hush fell on them as came near
Then heard voice that thrilled me-
"Your sword, sir!" it commanded.
"Stop," said I, sharply, coming
near.
There stood my father in the lantern
light, his sword drawn, his gray hair
stirring in the 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 sneered
looking at the veteran who stood in
a gray frock of homespun, 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 fascinating GOODNESS of man
ner, "but shall have to trouble you"
He hesitated, feeling his blade.
"How?" said my father.
ITO fight for it." said his lordship.
quietly.
"Surrender-fool!" my father an
swered. you cannot escape"
'"Tut, TUT" said his lordship. 81
never heard so poor a compliment.
Come in reach, and 1 shall make you
| think better of me-"
"Give up your sword"
after my life, then my sword" said
he, with quick thrust.
BEFORE l 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.
had never seen him fight; all had
seen Of his power had been mere play,
1t was grand to see the old man
lighting as If, for moment, his youth
had come back to him. knew It could