The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-11-21
. fhaHaUL and Rayenc

He bowed and pointed with his hat
TO the smoldering fire a short distance
ahead. They had turned bend in the
overhanging cliff and were very close
TO the retreat before she saw the glow
The fire was in the open air and di-
rectly in front Of a 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
q portion of her surroundings. The
overhanging ledge Of rock formed
wide. deep canopy, underneath which
was perfect shelter. The floor seemed
to be rich, grassless loan, and here ana
there were pallets Of long grass, evil
dentIy the couches Of these homeless
men. All about we're 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
a culver of dread. Aunt Fanny, VINO
sat near by, had not spoken since ieav-
ing the coach, but her eyes were ex-
pressively active.
The tall leader stood near the fire
conversing with half dozen of his fol
lowers. Miss Calhoun's eyes finally
rested upon this central figure in the
strange picture He was attired IN
dark gray uniform that reminded her
oddly of the dragoon 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 impu-
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-nay-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 de1ect. AS for the
rest Of them, they were grim COM
pany. Some were young and beardless,
others were old and grizzly, but all
were active, alert and strong. Inc
leader appeared to be the only one IN
the party who could speak and under
stand the English language. AS Bev-
erly sat and watched his virile, mock
ing face and studied his graceful move
ments she found herself wondering
how an ignorant, homeless wanderer
ia the hills could be SO poetic and 30
Cultured IS this fellow seemed to De.
Three or four men, who were unn'is-
tqSably Of g lower order than the1r
companions, set about preparing sup
per. Others unhitched the tired horses
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, ;,
be said, approaching her with smile
at the conclusion Of his work
"It has been most interesting to
watch you," she said, rising.
"And it has been a delight to inter-
est you," he responded. "You will find
seclusion there, and you need see none
of us until it pleases you"
She looked him fairly in the eye for
moment and then impulsively extended
her hand. He clasped it warmly, but
not without some show Of surprise.
II am trusting you implicitly" she
said.
1.-THE knave is glorifed,' was his
simple rejoinder. he conducted her
to the improvised bedchamber, Aunt
Fanny following with loyal but un-
certain tread. Il 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 perceptibly, while the faces
of his men turned in their direction as
though by concert.
"It is typical mountain resort,
then," she said. L think l can man