Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-23
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII. "VHE desperadoes were as much astonished as was De Catinat when they found that they had
 recaptured in this extraordi- nary manner the messenger whom they had given up for lost.
 "A thousand thundersw cried one. "And this is the man whom that devils brat Latour would make out to be deadp'
 And how came he hereY
 "And where is Etienne Arnaud z
 "He has stabbed Etienne, and taken his coat and hat"
 "What! While we were all within stones castY
 "Aye, there is no other way out of It."
 By my soul" cried old Despard. T had never much love for old Etienne, but have emptied cup of wine with : him before now, and shall see that he has justice. Let us cast these reins round the fellows neck and hang him upon this tree" | Several pairs of hands were already unbuckling the harness of the dead horse when De Vivonne pushed his way into the little group. Tt is as much as your lives are worth 1, to touch him." said he.
 But he has slain Etienne Arnaud."
 "That score may be settled after ward. Tonight he is the kings mes senger. Is the other all safe?"
 "Yes, he is here."
 "Tie this man and put him in beside him. Unbuckle the traces of the dead horse. So! Now, De Carnac, put your own into the harness. You can mount the box and drive, for we have not very far to go."
 The changes were rapidly made. Amos Green was thrust in beside De Catinat. and the carriage was soon toiling up the steep incline which 1t had come down so precipitately. The American had said not word since his capture and had remained abso- iutely stolid. with his hands crossed over his chest while his fate was un- der discussion. Now that he was alone once more with his comrade. however. he drowned and muttered. "Those internal horsesw he grum- bled. "Why, an American horse would have taken to the water like duck. Once over the river. we should have had a clear lead to Paris"
 My dear friend" cried De Catinat, laying his manacled hands upon those of his comrade. ''how nobly you have stood by me! But how came you therei Never in my life have I been so aston ished as when saw your face." Amos Green chuckled to himself. T thought that maybe 1t would be sur prise to you if you knew who was driving you," said he. "When was thrown from my horse I lay quiet, partly because 1t seemed to me to be more healthy to lie than to stand with all those swords cllnking in my ears. Then they all got round you, and l rolled into the ditch, crept along 1t, got on the crossroad in the shadow of the trees and was beside the carriage be- fore ever they knew that was gone. I saw in a flash that there was only one way by which could be of use to you. The coachman was leaning round. with hls head turned, to see what was going on behind him. I out with my knife. sprang up on the front wheel and stopped his tongue"
 "And thenY
 T pulled him down into the ditch. and I got into his coat and his hat I had hardly got the relns before they were all back and bundled you into the coach. I was not afraid of their see ing me, but I was scared lest should not know which road to take. and 60 set them on the trail. But they made it easy to me by sending some Of their riders in front, so I did well until saw that by-track and made a run for It."
 The guardsman again pressed his comrades hands. You have been as true to me as hilt to blade," said he. Tt was . bold thought and a bold deed"
 And what nowy" asked the Ameri. car.
 q do not know who these men are. and I do not know whither they are taking us. I fancy that they are talk ing us to some place where they can shut us up until this business blows over"
 well. theyn need to be smart about it.-
 "whyr
 -Else maybe they won't nnd us when they want us"
 "what do you meany
 For answer the American. with . twist and a wriggie. drew his two hands apart and held them in front of his comrades face
 "Bless you, its the first thing they teach the papooses In an Indian wig van. Put your hands out With a few dextero7s twists he loo>eDed De Catinars bonds until be also vas able to slip his hands free Nov for your feet. if youn put them up. They'Ii find that we are easier to catch than to hoid--
 But at that moment the czrTises b. gan to slow down, and the clank Of the boofs of the r5ders in froat Of them died suddenly away. Pesping thro1gh