The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1906-01-26


/ shall clear the bayonets,"
thought, and struck heavily on a soft
mat, covered over with green turf, a
little beyond that bristling bed.
staggered backward, falling upon it.
TO my surprise, it bent beneath me.
They were no bayonets, but only shells
of painted paper | got to my feet
none the worse for jumping, and as
dumfounded as ever man could be.
l stood on a lot of broken turf with
which a wide floor had been overlaid
Boards and timbers were cut away, and
the grave dug beneath them. saw
one face among others in the gloom
beyond the candle rows-that of his
lordship. He was coming up a little
flight of stairs to where l stood. He
moved the candles, making a small
passage, and came up to me.
You're a brave man" said he, in
that low, careless tone of his.
And you a coward" was my an
swer, for the sight of him had made
me burn with anger
Don't commit yourself on a point
like that" said he, quickly, for, you
know, we are not we'll acquainted. |
like your pluck, and | offer you what
is given to few here-an explanation.
He paused, lighting a cigarette. l
stood looking at him The cold po-
likeness of manner with which he had
taken my taunt, his perfect self-mas-
terry, filled me with wonder He was
no callow youth, that man, whoever
he might be. He was boring at the
floor with the end of a timber cane
as he continued TO address me.
Now, look here, he went on, with
a little gesture Of his left hand be-
tween the fingers of which a cigarette
was burning you are now in the
temple of patriotic society acting with
no letters patent, but in the good cause
of his Most Excellent Majesty King
George III, to whom be health and
happiness"
AS he spoke the name he raised his
hat and a cheer came from all sides
of us.
1T is gathered this night" he con-
tinued TO avenge the death of Lord
Ronley, a friend of his Majesty, and Of
many here present, and an honored
member of this order For his death
you, and you alone, are responsible,
and, we suspect under circumstances
of no credit TO your sword Many of
our people have been cut off from
their comrades and slain by cowardly
stealth, have been led into ambush and
cruelty cut to pieces by overwhelming
number, have been shut in prison and
done 10 death by starvation or by
stabs of knife there in your country.
Not content with the weapons of a
soldier, you have even resorted to the
barbarity of the poison-wasp. Par
don me, but you Yankees do not seem
foe. We shall give you better treat
ment You shall not be killed like a
rat in a trap. You shall have a chance
for your life. Had you halted, had
you been a coward, you would not have
been worthy 10 fight in this arena.
You would not have come where you
are standing, and possibly even now
your grave would have been filled. If
You survive the ordeal that is to come,
| hope it will prove an example to you
of the honor that is due to bravery,
of the fairness due a foe.
Many voices spoke the word Amen"
as he stopped, turning to beckon in
TO the gloom about us. | was now quite
over my confusion. | began to look
about me and get my bearings. | could
hear a stir in the crowd beyond the
lights and a murmur of voices. Re-
fiecting lanterns from many pillars
near by shot their rays upon me.
stood on a platform, some 30 feet
square, in the middle of a large room.
It's floor was on a level with the faces
of the many who stood pressing to
the row of lights. Here, l took it,
was to fight for my life. l was looking
at the yawning grave in the corner of
this arena, when four men assembled
with swords and pistols One of them
removed the shackles, letting my
hands free. thanked him as he
tossed them aside. | was thinking Of
Dri, and, shading my eyes, looked off
in the gloom to see if l could discover
him. ! called his name, but heard no
answer. His lordship came over to
me, bringing a new sword. He held
the glittering blade before me, its hilt
in his right hand, its point resting on
the fingers of his left.
1T s good" said he, quietly; "try
II"
1t was a beautiful weapon, its guard
and pommel and quillons sparkling
with wrought-silver, its grip of yell
low leather laced with blue silk. The
glow and the feel of it filled me with
a joy had not known since my father
gave me- the sword of my childhood.
1t drove the despair out of me, and l
was new man. l tried the blade, it's
point upon my toe. 1t was good metal
and the grip fitted me-
WELL how do you find it?" said he,
impatiently
81 am satisfied" was my reply.
He helped me take off my blouse and
waistcoat, and then | rolled my sleeves