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

account for, 70 wish harm to any one,
much less TO the good woman OF this
void. o Lord, o Lord! why was
| seducsd upon this fools errand?'
Come nigh. old man, when I
speak to you. Why do you loiter
there?" shouted the witch, as she
stood erect some twenty PAGES in
front OF the publican and beckoned
him with her blazing fagot. "Wha.
does thou mutter?"
Il but sported with my shadow
mother" replied Weasel, with a
tremendous attempt at laugh, as be
approached the questioner, in an Ill
assumed effort at composure and
cheerfulness. Il was faire to divert
myself with an antic, till some friends
OF mine. who left me but a moment
since. returned. How goes the night
with you, dame?"
"Merrily," replied the hag. as
she set up shrili laugh which more
resembled scream, "merriIv; I can.
not but laugh TO End the henpecked
vintner OF st. Mary's at this time of
night within the sound Of the tide at
the Black Chapel. / know YOUR
errand. old chapman of cheap liquors,
and why you have brought your cro-
MES. You pretend to be a liegeman
OF his Lordship, and you travel all
night to cheat him OF FIVE shillings.
You will lie on the morrow with as
SAD a face as there is in the hundred.
| know you,"
You know all things, worthy
dame. and | were fool to keen n
secret from you. What new COM
modify. honest mistress, shall find
with Rob? The port is alive with
a rumor ofthe Olive Branch; would
De early with the Cripple. Ha, hal"
he added, with fearful laugh, thou
seest L am stirring in my trade"
Garret Weasel, said the beldam.
you may take it for a favor, past
your deservings. that Rob will see
you alone at his hut even in day
time: but it is as much as your life
Is worth to bring your huffcap
orawlers oSt. Jerome s at mid night.
1t is not lawful ground for you, much
less for the hotbrained fools who
bear you company. Who showed
them the path to my cabin, that |
must be driven out at this hour?
Worthy mistress, indeed | know
nos ! am ignorant Of What ZOO say?"
They will calTthemsefves frierds
to the Chapel; but we have no friends
to the Chapel amongst living men.
The Chapel belongs TO the dead and
the tormentors OF the dead. So fol-
low your cronies and command them
back. | warn you to follow, and
bring them back, as you would save
them from harm. Ha! look you, il is
come already" she exclaimed, rails
ing her torch in the air, as the
flashes from the Haunted House
illumined the horizon: the seekers
have aroused our sentries, and there
shall be angry bullets to the back of
itl' At this moment the first shot
was heard. Friends, forsooth!''
she shouted at the top of her voice:
friends, are We? there is the token
that you are known to be false liars.
Wo to the fool that plants his foot be-
fore the Chapel! Stand there, Garrett
Weosel: | must away Follow me but
a step-raise thy head to look after
my path, and will strike thee blind
and turn thee into a dwelling idiot
for the rest of thy days. Remem.
ber-"
In uttering this threat the figure
disappeared: Garrett knew not how.
as he strictly obeyed the parting in
junction. and bis horrors were great.
ly increased by the report OF the
several shots which now reached
his ear from the direction OF the
Black House.
He bad hardly recovered himself
sufficiently to wander back 10 the
fire, before Dauntrees, Arnold, and
Pamesack arrived. evidently. fur
ried by the scene through which thew
bad passed, as well as by the rapidi-
~ OF their retreat.
Some wine, Garret! some wine.
old master OF the tap" was Daun-
trees salutation; and whilst we're
gale as briefly as we may, have our
horses loose from the trees we must
mount and away. To the horses,
Garret! We will help ourselves"
/ pray you, Master Captain, lin
quired the publican. having now re-
gained his self possession, what
speed at the Chapel? Oh, an we
have all had night of il! Sharp en-
counters all round. masters! | can
tell you tale!"
Stop not 70 prate now" inter
rupted Dauntrees. in a voice CD 7ked
oy the huge mouthful OF the pasty
be was devouring; I'VE sha dis
course as we ride. That flask.
Arnold must have another draught
e'er we mount. and then. friends, tc
horse as quickly as you may, we
may be followed; we may have ghost,
devil. and man Of flesh, all three, al
our heels"
i have had store OF them, can
tell you-ghosts and devils without
number, said Weasel, as he brough,
the horses for ward.
lynn shall ha triad ~, a. ;.e,,,..