Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-03-25


NOS altogether so wide OF truth ?
There are many brave men, he re-
hected. who have q constitution al
objection to fighting in she dark.
and he was rather inclined to rank
himself in that class. ''In the
dark. said be. as be sat down by
the fire. with his hands locked
across his knees. which were drawn
up before him in grasshopper angles
and looked steadily at the blazing
orushwood; in the dark a man can
not see-that stands to reason. And
1t makes q great difference, let me
tell you. masters, when you can {
see your enemy. A brave man, by
nature. requires light. And be-
sides. what sort vi an enemy do We
fight? Hobgoblins-not mortal man
for would stand up to any NOR
tai man in Christendom; ay. and
with odds against me. have done
it before now. But these whirrirg
and whizzing ghosts and their
crimes. that ay about ones ears like
cats, and purr and new like bats
what am | saying? no. tiy like bats
and new like cats-one may cut and
carve at them with his blade with
no more wound than q boys wooden
truncheon makes upon the wind.
Besides, the Captain. who is all in
all in his command, hath set me here
to watch, which, as il were, was
forbidding of me to go onward.
He must be obeged: good soldier
disputes no order. although il go
against his stomach. 1t was the
Captain s wish that / should keep
strict watch and ward here on the
skirt of the wood; otherwise |
should have followed him-and with
stout heart and step, warrant you'll
But the Captain hath soldierly
sagacity in his cautions; holding
this spot. as he wisely hath done,
to be an open point OF danger. an in
let, as it were, to circumvent his
march. and therefore straightly to
be looked to. Well, let the world
wag. and the upshot be what il NAV.
here are comforts at hand and will
not stint 10 use them
Saying this the self-satisied mar
tialist opened the basket and solac-
ed his appetite with slice OF pasty
and q draught OF wine.
Il will now perform a turn of
duty" he continued. after his re-
freshment; and accordingly drawing
his hanger, he set forth to make a
short circui, into the open field. He
proceeded with becoming caution on
his perilous adventure, looking slyly
at every weed or bush that lay in
his route. shuddering with a chilly
fear at the sound of his own foot,
steps, and especially scanning. with
q disturbed glance, the vibrations
OF his long and lean shadow which
was sharply cast by the fire across
the level ground. He had wander
ed some fifty PAGES into the field i,
on this valorous outlook, when he
bethought him that he had ventured
far enough, and might now return,
deeming it more safe to be near the
fire and the horses than out upon a
lonesome plain. which he believed
to be infested by witches and their
kindred broods. He had scarcely
set his face towards his original post
when an apparition came upon his
sight that filed him with horror,
and caused bis hair to rise like
bristles. This was the real bodily
form and proportions OF such a
spectre as might be supposed to
prefer such a spot-an old woman IN
a loose and ragged robe, who was
seen gliding up to the burning
fagots with billet of pine in her
hand, which she lighted at the fire
and then waved above her head as
she advanced into the field towards
the innkeeper. Weasel's tongue
clave TO the roof OF his mouth, and
his teeth chattered audibly against
each other, his knees smote togeth-
er, and his eyes glanced steadtastly
upon the phantom Fora moment
he lost the power of utterance or
motion, and when these began to re-
turn, as the bag drew nearer, his
impulse was 70 fly; but his bewild-
cred reflection came to his aid and
suggested greater perils u advance:
he therefore stood stock still.
Heaven have mercy upan mel-the
Lord have mercy upon ne. sinner!''
he CALCULATED; Il am alone. and the
enemy has come upon me-"
Watcher Of the night" said a
voice. in a shrill note, draw nigh.
What do you seek on the wold?"
"Tetra grammaton. Ahaseel-ir
the name OF the Holy Evaugels, spare
mel" muttered the innkeeper. fruit
lessly ransacking his memory for
some charm against witches, and
stammeringont an ipcoherent jargon.
"Abrscadabra spare me, excellent
and worthy dame ] seek no hurt tc
thee. am old, mother. too old and
with too many sins OF my own 70