Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-12-07

were her first real specimens of Grau-
stark peasantry. and they were to
mark an ineffaceable spot in her mem
ory. They were dark. strong faced men
of medium height. with fierce black
eyes and long black hair. As no two
were dressed alike, 1t was Impossible
to recognize characteristic styles of at
tire. Some were in the rude, baggy
costumes Of the peasant as she had
imagined him; others were dressed IN
the tight fitting but dilapidated uni
forms of the soldiery, while several
were in clothes partly European and
partly oriental There were hats and
feZZes and caps. some with feathers III
the bands. others without. The man
nearest the coach wore the dirty gray
uniform of an army officer, full Of
holes and rents. while another strobe
along in pair of baggy yellow trou-
sers and dusty London dinner jacket.
All in all. il was the motliest band of
vagabonds she had ever seen. There
were at least ten or dozen in the par
ty. While few carried swords, all
lugged the long rifles and crooked dag
gers of the Tartars.
"Aunt Fanny" Beverly whispered.
suddenly moving to the side of the sub
dued servant where is my revolver|
II had come to her like fash that a
subsequent emergency should not find
her unprepared. Aunt Fannys jaw
dropped, and her eyes were like white
rings in a black screen.
Good Lawd. wha - what fo', Miss
Bev'ly"-
"Sh! Don't call me Miss Bev'ly.
Now, just you pay 'tention to me, and
I'll tell you something queer. Get my
revolver right away and don't let those
men see what you are doing" While
Aunt Fanny's trembling fingers went
In search of the firearm, Beverly out
lined the situation briefly, but explicit
ly. The old woman was not slow to
understand. Her wits sharpened by
fear she grasped Beverly's instruc-
tions with astonishing avidity.
"Ve'y well, yo' highness," she said,
with fine reverence, "Ah'll p'ocuah de
bottle o pepp'mlnt 70 yo' If yo' jes'
don mine me pulln' an haulin'
'mongst desc boxes. Mebbe yo' all
'druther hab de gingehT With this
wonderful subterfuge as shield she
dug slyly into one of the bags and
pulled forth Il revolver Under ordi-
nary circumstances she would have
been mortally afraid to touch it, but
not so in this emergency. Beverly
showed the weapon into the pocket of
her gray travelling jacket
II feel much better now, Aunt Fan
n.y." she said. and Aunt Fanny gave a
vast chuckle.
"Yaas, ma am. lndeed-yo' highness,"
she agreed suavely.
The coach rolled along for half an
hour and then stopped with a sudden
jolt. An instant later the tall driver
appeared at the window, his head I'M
covered. A man hard by held a Ian
tern.
Qua vandos ar deltanet, yos serent,"
said the leader showing his white
teeth in triumphant smile. His ex-
posed eye seemed to be glowing with
pleasure and excitement.
WHAT murmured Beverly hopeless
ly. puzzled expression came into
his face; then his smile deepened and
his eye took on knowing CLEAN.
"Ah. | see," he said gayly your
hlghness prefers not to speak the Ian
guage of Graustark. Is 1t necessary
for me to repeat in Engllsh?"
81 really wish you would" said Bev-
erly, catching her breath. Just to see
how 1t sounds you know"
Your every wish shall be gratlfied.
| beg to inform you that we have
reached the Inn of the Hawk and Ra-
ven. This is where we dwelt last night.
Tomorrow we. too, abandon the place,
so our fortunes may run to ether for
some hours at least There is but lit
tie to offer you in the way of nourlsh-
ment. and there Is mono of the COM
forts of a palace Yet prlncesses can
no more be chooSerS than beggars
when the fares in one pot Come.
your hghneSs, let me conduct you to
the guest chamber of the Inn of the
Hawk and Raven"
Beverly took his hand and stepped to
the ground, looking about in wonder
aud perpleNity.
Il see no inn" she murmured appre-
hensively.
"Look aloft, your hlghness. That
great black canopy is the roof; we are
standing upon the floor and the dark
shadows just neyoud the circle of light
nr" the walls Of the Hawk and Raven
This is the largest tavern in all Grau.
stark. Its dimensions are as wide as
the world itself"
You mean that there is no inn ut
allf' the girl cried in d.smay.
Alas | must confess il. And vet
there is shelter here. Come with me-
Let your servant follow" He took her
10y the hand and led her away from
the coach, ragged lantern bearer
preceding Bcyerly's little right hand
was rigldly ciutchlng the revolver in
her pocket II was capaclous pocket.
and the muzzle of the weapon bored
dehantly into a timid powder rag that