Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-09-16

journey, lighted by the lantern Of
the beldam.
Leave the lamp burning" said
Cocklescraft 10 the last OF the crew.
as She man was about 10 follow his
companions who had already left
the room; "it wiz serve 10 steer by
when the brigantine corraas out OF
the creek"
In the next moment the Wizard q
Chapel was deserted by al its lase
noisy tenants, and the skipper was
on his way, In the track Of The Grip
pie, towards The hut.
| CHAPTER xxx.
ssSss me ;as nss. Win s:n .ina
Saneereg came. bud d. NOD aRa -
heart O hand tosist him IN.
/ As Albert Vsrheyden approached
nearer 20 the light that had broken
upon bis view and cheered his foot
step, ne was able 70 discern the dim
outline Of building OF ample d.
meHsions, obscurely traced on the
eastern horizon, now relieved OF thas
back. ground Of forest which had
hitherto circumscribe6 his vision.
The rain still continued 20 fall In O
soft and steady drizzle, through
which feeble diffused light barely
sufficed 10 show that the moon, now
entering on her second quarter.
struggled 10 assert her dominion
over the night. The waves rolling
in upon the sand with o ceaseless
and sharp monotony, apprised him
OF the proximity Of o broad expanse
OF water, and he had accordingly
little doubt that he had now reached
the shore Of the Potomac-some-
where, as he conjectured, in the
neighborhood Of the cabin OF Simon
Fluke, whittier he supposed his steps
had unknowingly tended through
the long and perplexed circuit OF his
bewildered journey.
When within an hundred PAGES OF
the light, he found his further pro-
gress on horseback embarrassed by
q somewhat precipitous bank, which
induced him TO alight and make the
rest OF his way on foot, leaving his
horse attached 20 the dropping limb
OF the tree under which he bad dis
mounted. With eager step be ad-
vanced to the house. and on reach
ing the door, knocked loudly for ad-
mission.
Good people," he exclaimed, as
repeated his knocks, arouse for the
sake OF benighted wanderer who
had lost his way in the wood. Pray
you give me admittance."
There was noanswer and fnding
taas upon UucniuH tho letsh Jne door
yielded TO his thrust, he entered
without farther ceremony. The em-
bers OF q large fire glowed on the
hearth solitary iron lamp, sup
piled with the fat OF some animal,
instead OF oil, burned with o flick
ering flame, upon the middle OF O
coarse table, over which cups and
cans. glasses and bottles were strew-
cd in disorder pipes lay scattered
around, and the coarse hempen COW
ers OF bales and cordage Of broken
packages numbered up the corners
OF the rorm. AS the Secretary rak-
cd up the glowing Goals and warmed
himself before the welcome Ere, 10
was with en- air of wonderment, not
unmixed with apprehension, that he
cast bis eyes around this strange
and uncouth place, and lost himself
In the attempt TO conjecture whither
bis erring fortune had conducted
him.
Here have been dwellers," be
said, "and recently; bat whittier
have they fed =? Can | have SO far
lost my way as TO have struggled TO
the Patuxent instead OF 10 the Po-
tomac Faith, | believe IL: for I
have heard my Lord has store
house there, where he collects his
customs-and this. by what see
around me, must be some such place.
Well, Patuxent or Potomac, | care
not which-most heartily is the roof
welcome, for, beyond this. venture
not again 10 night. | would | might
see the keepers here Surely, they
are not far of, since their fiagons
are left behind-and not drained
neither, for here ! find good drink
ing ware, which TO my poor spent
frame, is no boon 10 be despised.
greet you, honest nectar" he said.
rs he poured out some wine and
drank it of you come at a good
time. and with smack your dainty
wine bibbers wot not Of. Heighoi
was over man so weary2 / shall
stretch me down on these coarse
wrappihgs. And there good cas-
sock. you have done ms faithful SER
vice tonight: before the FIRE I
spread you out TO dry. and IN this
corder make my bed"
AS these muttered ruminations
escaped the Secretary's lips. he COL
lected the remnants Of bags aud
rough cloths that had formerly serv-
ed 70 envelop items OF merchandise,
Ia q heap on one side Of the fire.
place near the wall and spreading
bis wet surcoat In front OF the live
embers which he had now renovated
with some billets OF wood that lay
at hand. he flung his exhausted frame
upon bis hastily gathered bed, and
In few moments was locked In q
sleep that might have defied the
clamor OF q marching host.
Hero we leave him. whilst We turn
10 the hut OF The Cripple.
The skipper, intending 70 meet his
men as soon as they should despatch
the business upon which they were
sent. and desirous TO snatch q short
repose in the interval OF their alb
sence. had thrown himself immedi-
ately after entering Rob's cabin, up-
on O couch Of the skins Of wild ami