Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-01-26


my sword. ran in the direction Of the
noise and came suddenly upon Il man
struggling for his life in the close EN-
brace OF mountain bear. SO intent
was the animal upon its prey that it
did not notice my approach. With one
well aimed thrust / ran it through the
heart and the beast sank with con-
vulsive motion to the ground.
1.-THE man. exhausted and bleeding
from many wounds. fell at its side, I'LL
conscious of his close proximity to his
dead foe and sdead to everything about
| him. Sweet, | stanched his wounds
and from a brook near by brought cool
water and bathed his head, SO that his
wandering wits returned But the
man had received blow Oh the heart
and so many broken bones that lie
could not live. | saw that he was
sinking rapidly, so, kneelng at his side,
asked him his name, Offering to de-
| liver any messages he might wish to
leave. To make Il long tale short, sweet
Margaret us we have not much time
for tarrying, the PROSTATE man. was a
famous Puritan from parts distant
from here, by name Ezekial Mason,
and was on his way to Cragenstone to
sell his invention of a prison lock; also
to conduct the affairs of thine eXecu-
ton. When he had told me that much
and given me the password he expired.
Ii
packet he carried, | found bread and
wine, which | ate and drank raviShing-
ly; also the lock he wished to sell and |
letters of introduction to the elders |
and cOuncilmen from prominent men |
of his belief. Margaret, the mans face |
had not relaxed in death ere it had Oc-
CURED to me to don his clothing, stain |
my face and beard with the juice of |
leaves and berries, as EZekial Mason
was dark and swarthy, and return to
Cragenstone representing myself to be
this man. By the Lord, twas Il seri-
Gus undertaking, but with what sue
cess all was accomplished thou dOst
know tonight"
Gods mercy!' she exclaimed softly,
trembling in his embrace. "Thine adj
ventures were desperate and terrible,
but praise him that the man fell in thy
way, otherwise / fear we had both
been lost"
Just then light sound as of foot
fall under the window was heard.
Both sprang apart, listening with pale
faces La Fabienne, donning his hat,
pulled up his coat collar, carefully
closed the door upon Margaret and,
going by the recumbent figure of Mat
thew Allen, walked out of doors and
gave a careful, searching glance in all
directions, but all now was quiet. No
sounds reached his ears save the whin-
nying of an impatient horse not far
distant down the roadway. So, after
convincing himself that no intruder
was about, he re-entered the prison.
going at once to Margaret'S cell.
"All is WE'LL" he fastened to assure
her. ''The wind is rising, and the
sound no doubt was but the creaking
Of loose grating. Gads, the villagers
sleep sOundly tonight that they may
get good rest for tOmOrrOwS gala day.
But we do tarry here too long. Here's
q Puritan bonnet-'twill disguise thee,
throw this cloak over
thy shoulders. In passing through the
guard thou must droop thy head and
appear languishing, as thou art sup |
posed to be a maid suddenly taken i'll
If the pest Of measles now prevalent I
about here, whom we are anxious to
take to her home at SterndOrf AS |
friends of Ezekial Mason he hath per-
mission to see thee and thy relatives
safely out Of the village"
Sir Godfrey laughed grimly. {
by our lady, tits a grewsome joke, |
sweet, but thy face looks dOwncast. .
Thou vert ever one to enjoy spice [
# danger What gloom hangs over t
hee" b
His glance expressed great tender Il
less as he clumsily tied the gray bon u
let strings. s
"'Tis the awful fear Of my cousin a
hat still lies heavy on my heart" she S
eplied, hurriedly fastening Oh her a
hawl. "Mayhap he hath suspected "
bee, Godfrey, and may entrap us yet a
NAY, love, put by such fearsome n
lisgivings." La Fabienne laughed s.
ghtly. 'Parbleu, in all this village [
O man rests so securely in the trusti- d
ess Of the new jailer, no man hath n
UGH confidence in the stern Puritan. b.
,zekial Mason, as thy kinsman Josiah. 4
o throw fear of him from thee, Mar
aret. No man will modest u.s."
Taking her hand, he led her to II
mall door at the back of the prison to
lat was opened by the slipping back in
some heavy bolts, and he stepped m
ut on to the ground
AS the cool night wind blew on her bl
ice and the broad expanse Of country
retched out before her, with freedom fe
} close at hand, Margaret, trembling ps
nd terribly excited, drew back. Her af
yer held her hand strongly in his m
yn. Still she hesitated, afraid almost
venture forth. yC
Margaret, my love, take courage" ey
, urged. art thou never coming To-
rough the doorway" br
At his words she seemed to grow "
aver and, raising her head with a H
Ovement that indicated sudden reSo- 50
ton. said firmly: II am coming now,
ar rescuer. over the thresholdI-ever
i'll we bless it, Godfrey-of hope, lib
ty, love and lifen' flu.
La Fabenne retaining her hand in col
, strong clasp. they ran swiftly down liv
e dark pathway under the protecting rel
adows of the trees.
\ short time later Josiah Taunston,