The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-04-21

brought others upon the scene, and
half a dozen torches danced fercely
before my eyes. The sword was still
pointed toward my breast, and con-
cluded that in GOODNESS lay my only
chance
Il am unarmed," said
I'VE don't cut courtesy so fine as
that in this count-y-the blow first
and the pardon begging afterward. -
He laughed as he lowered his sword
who are you, and how the devil did
you get here?"
"Just slid" | answered. "A few mo-
ments ago | was on the mountains
somewhere behind me"
"And. by St Patrick, you're Eng
fish, with a touch of Irish blood in
you for choice"
Pure English"
Faith. and I'm sorry for that You
are plucky enough to be an Irishman."
was too bewildered to be surprised
at so strange a meeting. My only
clear thought was that an Irishman
with a drawn sword in a country
known only in legend was probably a
very different person from an ordinary
Irishman on College Green. 1t would
be wise to let him lead the converse
ton
You're my prisoner" he said. viii
you give me your word not to attempt
to escape:"
"Certainly."
"My name is Dennis Organ. Cap
tain Dennis O'lyan," he said. motion
Ing me 10 follow him.
"A few moments ago | had a com
rade, Captain Organ. As we came
down from the mountains he lost con-
troll Of himself and was carried away
yonder should like to look for
him.
you'll see him in the morning If
your eyesight is good He won't
move. Was he a friendi"
Yes. a new acquaintance. but dan
ger made us friends"
well. Mr.
"Verrall." l said
L '
now and not good specimen of a
corpse either. You will understand
why tomorrow"
We went through a narrow cutting
in the solid rock, the torches casting
weird and fantastic shadows about us,
and presently came to natural cav
ern. high pitched and of considerable
size \ fire was burning in the cen
ter. the smoke. after thickening the
atmosphere, finding its way out
through a cleft in the roof. and an
iron pot was on the fire, a strong,
meaty smell coming from it, which,
being hungry, l did not find unpleas-
ant.
The ground of the cave was or loose
soil, and my companions threw them
selves down round the fire Organ
motioned me 10 do the same 1t was
the most primitive meal l had ever
assisted at, but | have rarely enjoyed
one so much.
They were a wild looking crew. not
excepting Captain Organ. They were
powerful men, big limbed. with shaggy
dark hair and mustaches, not i'll look
ing and rather picturesque than other
wise. They wore somewhat tight meth
er garments and rough. easy fitting
leather shirt reaching nearly TO the
knees, but cut up at the thighs to give
perfect freedom to the legs Over this
they wore a coat of mail. compromise
between plate and chain armor. and
long boots Of stiff hide, into the heels
of which was fixed a spike about half
an inch long. A low steel helmet fit-
ting close on to the head completed
their attire For arms each man car
ried a long serviceable looking sword,
which hung from broad belt fastened
loosely round the waist. Except that
his armor was brighter and that be
had a short feather at the side of his
helmet Captain Organ did not differ
from his comrades.
During the meal | was considerably
surprised to find that | could under
stand my companions conversation.
Organ when speaking to me spoke in