The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-03-12

swered him, and he drew back as a
child might who has trodden on an
adder. You foolsl' he spluttered,
' glazing at them viciously. "Are you
mad? Do o know what you are do
ing? Do you see this ?" He whipped out
from some pocket a short white staff
n brandished 1t. II come direct from
the lord chancellor and upon his bust
ness. DO you hear? And If you resist
me 1t is treason. Treason, you dogs!"
he cried, his rage getting the better Of
him., and like dogs you will hang for
II. Master Hundredman, I order you
10 take In your ~constables and arrest
that mani"
What man?" quoth Tom Miller, eye
ing him fixedly.
THE stranger who came II an hour
ago Is inside the house."
Him. he means. who told about the
purVeyor across the road" explained
the monk, with a wink.
That wink sufficed. There was a roar
OF execration, and in the twinkling of an
eye the. Jack in Office. tripped up this
way n showed that, was struggling
helplessly in the grasp of half n dozen
men. who fought savageIy for his body
with the hundredman and the con-
stables.
ITO the river! To the Ouse with
him." yelled the mob. I'm the queens
name!" shouted the officers. But these
were TO those as three to a score and
taken by surprise besides and doubtful
or the rights of the matter. Yet. for
an instant. as the crowd went Keeling
and lighting down the road, they pre-
vailed: the constables managed to drag
their leader free, and l caught a.
glimpse Of him, wild eyed and frantic
with fear. his clothes torn from his
back, standing at bay like some ami
mai and brandishing his star in one
hand: a packet Of letters in the other.
L have letters, letters Of state!" he
screamed shrilly. Let me alone. I tell
you! Let me 60, you curs!"
But in vain. The next instant the
mob were upon him again. The packet
or letters went one way. the staff was
dashed another. He was thrown down
ana plucked up again and hurried.
bruised and struggling. toward the
river. his screams for mercy and furious
threats rising shrilly above the oaths
and laughter.
followed scream. "They will kill him!"
| exclaimed, trembling, and prepared
to follow. Il cannot see this done"
But the monk, who had returned to
my side, grasped my arm. Don't be a
TOOL he said sharply. IT will answer
for 1t. they will not kill him. Tom MIL
Ter Is not a fool, though he is angry.
49, 80 NUN HILL c1IIu c HlH RO XIII
l VIII trouble you for that bit OF gold,
young gentleman"
i gave 1t to him.
Now" he continued with a Ieeer. ct
will give you a hint in return II YOU
are wise, you will be out of this conn
try In IL hours. Tethered to the gate
over there Is a good horse, which be-
longs to a certain purveyor now in the
river Take 1t! There is no n to saw
you nay. And begone!"
looked hard at him for a minute.
my heart beating fast. This was horse
stealing, and horse stealing was a hang
ing matter. But / had done so much
already 1 felt I might as well be hanged
Tor a sheep as for a lamb. I was not
sure mat l had not melted to treason,
what was stealing a horse beside
a Il will do It," 1 said desper-
ately.
Don't lose time, then" quoth my
mentor.
I went out then and there and found
he had told the truth. Every soul in
the place had gone to see the duckinE,
aside in the roadway lay the bundle
OF letters. soiled, but not torn. and in
the gutter was the staff. 1 stopped
and picked up one and the other-in
for a lamb, in for a sheep. and
they might be useful some day. Then
L jumped INTO the saddle n twitched
the reins off the hook.
But before I could drive In the spurs
q hand fell on the bride, and the
monks face appeared at my knee,
"Well7" I said, glazing down at him.
L was burning to be away
That Is a good cloak you have got
there" he muttered hurriedly. There.
strapped to the saddle, you fool! You
do not want that. Give it me. Do
you hear? Quick, give 1t mel" he cried.
raising his voice and clutchinp at n
fercely. his face dark with greed and
fear. ~
Il see" I replied as I u%nstranped II.
Il am to steal the horse that YOU NAV
get the cloak. And then you will Law
the lot on my shoulders Well. take
It'll" I cried. land go your way as fast
as you an"
Throwing 1t at him as hard as T
could 1 shook up the reins and went
off down the road at a gallon. The
wind whistled pleasantly past my ears,
The sounds of the town grew faint and
distant. Each bound of the good hack
carried me farther and farther from
present danger, farther and farther
from the old life. In the exhilaration
and excitement of the moment I for
got my condition, forgot that I had not
a penny piece in my pocket, and that
1 had left an unpaid bill behind me.
forgot even that I rode a-well, q Dor
rowed horse.
IHonkinnnA Maj Nn.