The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-15

NOT found yet:" called out one or
the three had first seen.
"No, and never will be-" was the
answer. and / recognized Costa. I'D
give a good deal TO lay my hands upon
him. | took a liking TO him. and it's
hard to know that one has loved n
traitor
''This traitors man at least" said
one.
81 shouldn't have taken n liking to
him IL he hadn't been. ! think he is
dead"
I'VE ought TO have found his body"
1.-THE river has that" was the an
swer.
at didn't keep the prisoner who died
yesterday" said his companion He
was lying on the bank, a sorry sight
enough"
Presently all five mounted and rode
slowly up the path. and crept through
the underwood again. Perhaps
should have been safer had stopped
where | was, but inaction was impos-
sible. Besides. hunger and thirst We're
prompting me. 4 few berries might
be found and stream. / must have
wandered far out Of my way, for I
came suddenly upon a small clearing.
A hut built Of stout logs was there,
and before il was an old woman fac
ing half a dozen horsemen.
you've searched" she was saying.
There's not hole where a man could
lie concealed. What have TO do with
your fighting?"
You have seen no man pass this
way today"
NO. / was within. and the door
was shut"
MARX you. dame. there is a man
wandering in these woods, and he'll
want food. Maybe he'll ask you for
II. If you give IL this hut will he
without an owner. Were he your son
even you should not escape
Maybe not. but I'd chance that and
give him food if
The horseman muttered a threaten
ing oath. turned and left the old wo-
man standing at her hut door. As
soon as they were out Of sight she
shook her fist at them. The action
made me wonder If could trust he.
Within the hut doubtless were food
and drink. and both l sorely needed;
perhaps, too, a corner where ] could
rest a little.
She stood at the door for a few mo-
ments and then came TO the side OF
the hut to pick up a bundle OF sticks.
ing for want Of food.
Holding up my hand in warning.
stepped into the clearing. She saw me
and let the sticks fall, but she did not
utter a sound.
They are for the king" whispered.
81 am for the princess. Who Is your
son for"
The princess
She beckoned me 10 follow her, and
entered the hut.
You shall eat first and. IL you will.
tell me the tale afterward"
II was frugal fare she set before me
such a pottsce that at other times my
stomach might have turned against,
but now enjoyable as the dainty feast
Of an epicure. and then / told her a
garbled version OF my story, true
enough in particulars. but wanting in
detail
You're brave man." she said. My
son would have acted so. for he is q
brave man too. Now let me look at
your wounds. Living in the woods, we
old women find strange herbs"
She could not have used me more
tenderly had | been her son. in the
midst Of her work she stopped sudden
". She had quick ears.
They are returning"
Good mother. give me some weap-
on and my life shall stand between
them and you"
There Is better way" she answer
ID. Come with me"
She led ME into a small back room
and. pushing some faggots back from
Q corner. opened a trap.
Its a WELL" she said. but it's some
thing more. Catch hold OF the rope,
hang at arms length and your feet Will
feel ledge. II Is the floor Of little