The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-11-21
q fha HaWL and Raven y

He bowed and pointed with his hat
to the snloldering fire a short distance
ahead. They had turned a bend in the
overhangng cliff and were very close
to the retreat before she saw the glow.
The fire was in the open air and dl-
rectly in front Of deep cleft in the
rocky background. Judging by the
sound the river could not be more than
200 feet away. Men came up with
lanterns and others piled brush upon
the fire. In very short time the glen
was weirdly Illuminated by the dane
ing flames. From her seat on the huge
log Beverly was thus enabled to survey
portion of her surroundings. The
oyerhanging ledge Of rock formed
wide, deep canopy, underneath Which
was perfect shelter. The floor seemed
to be rich. grassless loan, and here and
there were pallets Of long grass, evl-
IDENTIFY the couches Of these homeless
men All about were huge trees, and
in the direction Of the river the grass
grew higher and then gave place to
reeds. The foliage above was so dense
that the moon and stars were Invisible.
There was deathly stiffness in the air.
The very loneliness was so appalling
that Beverly's poor little heart was IN
q culver Of dread. Aunt Fanny, who
sat near by, had not spoken since leav-
ing the coach, but her eyes were ex-
pressively active.
The tall leader stood near the ire
conversing with half dozen OF his fol-
lowers. Miss CaIhoun's eyes finally
rested upon this central figure in the
strange picture He was attired In a
dark gray uniform that reminded ner
oddly of the dragooni choruses in the
comic operas at home. The garments,
while torn and soiled, were well fitting.
His shoulders were broad and square,
his hips narrow, his legs long and
straight. There was an air of s1mpu-
dent grace about him that went we'll
with his life and profession.
Surely here was a careless free lance
upon whom life weighed lightly, while
death ."stood afar Off and despaired.
The light of the fire brought his gleam-
ing face into bold relief, for his hat
was off. Black and thick was his hair,
rumpled and apparently uncared for.
The face was lean, smooth and strong,
with devil-lnay-care curve at the cor
ners Of the mouth. Beverly found her
self lamenting the fact that such an in
teresting face should be marred by an
ugly black patch, covering she knew
not what manner of defect. AS for the
rest of them, they were a grim COM
pany. Some were young and beardless,
others were old and grizzly, but all
were active, alert and strong. The
leader appeared to be the only one in
the party who could speak and under
stand the English language. AS Bev-
e-ly sat and watched his virile, mock
Ing face and studied his graceful move
ments she found herself wondering
how an ignorant, homeless wanderer
il the hills could be SO poetic and 80
Cultured as this fellow seemed to De.
Three or four men, vino were unmis-
takably Of lower order than their
companions, set about preparing q sup
per. Others unhitcbed the tireu G01S2s
and led them off toward the river. Two
dashing young fellows carried the seat
cushions under the rocky canopy and
constructed an elaborate couch for the
princess" The chief, with his own
hands, soon began the construction OF
a small chamber in this particular cor
ner of the cave near the opening. The
walls of the chamber were formed OF
carriage robes and blankets, cloaks and
oak branches.
1.-THE guest chamber, your highness,"
he said. approaching her with smile
at the conclusion Of his work.
'It has been most interesting 70
/ watch you," she said, rising.
"And it has been delight to inter-
est you,'' he responded. 'sYou will find
seclusion there, and you need see none
of us until it pleases you
She looked him fairly in the eye for
| uOuGuL duu lueu luIpuIS1NCly C-AlOA0r-A
her hand. He clasped it warmly, but
not without some show Of surprise.
II am trusting you implicitly" she
said.
"The knave is. glorifed,' was his
simple rejoinder. He conducted her
to the improvised bedchamber, Aunt
Fanny following with loyal but un-
certain tread II regret, your high
ness, that the conveniences are so few.
We have no landlady except Mother
Earth, no walters, no porters, no maids,
In the Inn Of the Hawk and Raven.
This being a mems hotel, the baths are
on the river front am having water
brought to your apartments, however,
| but it is with deepest shame and Sor-
row that confess we have no towels"
She laughed SO heartily that his face
frightened perceptjbly, while the faces
of his men turned in their direction as
though by concert.
"lt is typical mountain resort,
then,'' she said. II think l can man
1