The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1906-03-16


beneath ii was a wide opening well
carpeted with moss and needles. Wo
peered off into the gloom, but saw
nothing.
Dri blew out a thoughtful breath,
looking up into the air coolly, as he
filled his pipe.
"Consarned if ever / wanted L have
smoke s. bad n all my born days
he remarked.
Then he moved his holster, turned
his scabbard, and sat down quietly,
putting his pipe with some' look of
WEAKNESS and reflection. We were sit
ting there less than five minutes when
we heard a football near by then sud-.
denly two men strobe up to us in the
dim light recognized at once the
easy step. the long 1.-the figure. of his
lordship in the dress of a citizen, saw
ing sword and pistols.
"Ah, good evening, gentlemen" said
he, quietly. How are your"
Better than-than when we saw you
last" | answered
D'ri had not moved he looked at
me with sympathetic smile.
81 presume" said his lorlship. in
that familiar. lazy tone, as he lighted
a cigar, there was-al@-good room
for improvement, was there not?"
Abundant" said I. thoughtfully.
"You were not in the best of health
yourself that evening"
True" said he; II was in bad
fettle and worse luck"
How are the ladies?"
Quite we'll" said he, blowing a long
puff
Ready to deliver them?" I in
CURED.
Presently" said he. ''There are
some formalities."
(Which are" I added quickly.
"a trife of expenses and a condi-
ton" said he, lazily.
How much, and what?" I inquired,
as D'ri turned his ear.
One thousand pounds" said his
lordship. quickly. Not a penny more
than this matter has cost me and his
majesty"
"What else?" said I.
This man." he answered calmly.
with a little gesture aimed at D'ri.
My friend rose, struck his palm with
the pipe-bowi, and put up his knife.
EFF ye re goin' t TEX me-" said he,
better begin right off, er we won't hey
time, fore breakfast"
THEN he clapped the moose-horn 10
his lips and blew a mighty blast II
made the two men jump and set the
near thicket Keeling. The weird barv-
tone went off moaning in the far
wastes Of timber It's ruch of echoes
had begun. I put my hand to my
sabre. for there i'm the edge Of the
gloom I saw a thing that stirred me to
the marrow. The low frs were moving
toward us root and branch. their twigs
falling Gods of war, il made my
hair stand for a fifty TO see the very
brush take feet and legs On sea or
land | never saw a thing that gave
me so odd a feeling We stood for
a breath or two, then started back, our
sabres flashing; for as the twigs fell.
we saw they had been decorating a
squad Of the British They came on
J struck ar the lantern. but too late.
for his lordship had swung it away
He stumbled, going to his knees; the
lantern hit the earth and went out.
had seen the squad break. running each
way. to surround us. D'ri grabbed my
hand as the dark fell and we went
plunging through the little pines. hit
ting a man heavily. who fell grunting
We had begun TO hear the rattle OF
boats a shouting, and quick steps on
the shore. We crouched a moment
D'ri blew the moose-horn. pulling me
aside with him quickly after the blast
Lights were now flashing near. | could
see little hope for us, and D'ri, I
thought. had gone crazy. He ran at
the oucomers, yelling, Hey Rube!" al
the top of his lungs. I lay low in the
brush a moment. They rushed by me.
D'Ti in the fore with Tending sabre. A
tawny hound was running in the lead,
his nose down, baying loudly Then
I saw the truth, and made after them
with all the speed Of my legs. They
hustled over the ridge. their lights
flashing under For a jiffy I could see
only, here and there, a leaping glow in
the tree-tops. I rushed on. passing
one who had tumbled headlong The
lights below me scattered quickly and
stopped. | heard a great yelling.
roar of muskets. and a clash of swords.
A hush fell on them as | came near.
Then | heard a voice that thrilled me-
your sword. sir" it commanded
stop" said I. sharply, coming
near.
There stood my father in the lantern
light, his sword drawn, his gray hair
stirring in the breeze. Before him
was my old adversary, his lordship,
sword in hand. Near by the squad of
British. now surrounded, were giving
up their arms. They had backed to
the rivers edge; | could hear it lap
ping heir heels. His lordship sneered
looking at the veteran who stood in
a gray frock of homespun, for all the
world. / fancy, like one of those old
yeomen who fought with Cromwell
your sword, sir" my father re-
peated.
Pardon me-" said the young man.
with a fascinating GOODNESS of man
nor Uhut 7 cbo1I hova IN trouhIa xyo,,