The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-09

~ s"o "ouhe with sudmDung step,
head down-bent and the same stupid
oppression OF his face. the mounte-
oank went docilely. though not silent.
~. To one o. the soldiers at his side
he spoke often. voicing that dull ap-
prehension hs had manifested when
hrst ordered into custody.
DO you think they1l put me In a
dungeon?"
Dungeon. indeed!" the man an.
swered not ir-naturedly. For such as
you! No. no! They'll keep the
ouoltettss. calottes. and all the dark
holes for people Of consequence
ors. or your fine gentry consigned by
lsttres de cachet."
Then what do you think they will
DO with a.-c
Walt, and flnd out!" returned the
soldier roughly. and the mountebank
spoke no more for some time; held
his head lower. until. regarding him,
Ais guardian must needs laugh.
Here's q craven-hearted fellow!
Well. II you really want to know,
they'll probably lock you up for the
night with the rest of rag-tag." indi.
eating tho other prisoners, a short
distance ahead. I'm the cellar, or al
monry. or autsres dss voleurs: and In
shs morning. II you're lucky and the
Governor has time to attend to such
- you. II may be you1l escape with
l1sw stripes and q warning"
The aubsrse dee volsurs!-the
'thisves' inn!" said the man. What
- thatY"
"Bahl You want to know too much!
~ now your legs only moved a. fast
80 your tongas-" And the speaker
'eomplstsd the sentence with q sig.
!niacant JOG on the Others shoulders.
Whereupou the mountebank quick.
'ened his footsteps. once more ceased
HE Qusstioniag. II was the soldier
who had not yet spoken. but who had
been pondsrtng . good deal on the
way MP. Who next broke the silenoe.
How did II end. Monsieur Mounte.
tank?--the scene v.:h the dev.!,
ale...
The man who had begun to breathe
hard. a. one not accustomed to climb.
ang. or vearisd by . long pilgrimage
TO the Mount. ut the question ven.
tured to stop and rest. with q hand on
the granite halustrade OF the little
platform they bad just reached. I'm
the death Of the peasant. and a comic
chorus Of frogs" he answered.
"A comic chorus!" said the soldier.
That must be very amusing"
1T is." the mountebank said, at the
same time studying. from where he
stood. different parts Of the Mount
with cautious. sidelong looks: but my
poor frogs!-all tornl tramplsd!"
We'll. WE'LL" said the other not un.
kindly. You can mend them when
you get out"
Whom n only knew when that
would be! What II I should have to
stay here Ike some Of the others,-
pour etrs oublie!--to be forgotteng"
II you don't get on faster" said
ths soldier who had nrst spoken. you
won't be buried alive for some time
10 come. at lsast!"
'"Pardon!" muttered the mounte
bank. THE hill-it is very steep"
You look ntrong enough TO climb a
dossn hills. aud II you're holding back
Tor q chance 70 escape"
NO. mol" protested the man. II had
no thought-do not know that II
tried. your sword"
Quite right. I'd"
There. thtre!" said the other sol.
der. q big. good-natured appearing fel
low. He's harmless enough. and" AZ
once more they moved on. that tune
OF yours. Monsieur Mountebank," alb
ruptly: 1T runs In my head. Let me
sss-how does II 20! The second
verse. I mean"
Beat beati
MID marsh-muck and mire,
For any note
Escapes a frogs throat
Beware my lords irer'
Yes: that's the one. Not bad!"
humming--
FOR II any note
Escapes . frogs throat
Beawrs my lords ire
Are the verses your own"
oh. no! I'm only q poor player"
said the mountebank humbly. But
an honest one" he added after
pause. "and this thieves Inn. Mon
sie1rf" returning 10 the subject OF his
possible fate. this auberge des vo-
lsurs-that sounds like a bad place
for an honest lodging"
1T was once under the old monks.
who were very merry fellows; but
since the Governor had II restored. II
has become sober and quiet place.
II is true there are iron bars instead
Of blinds. and you can't come and go.
as they used to. but"
"Ts that it-up there" And the
mountebonk pointed toward n ledge OF
rock. with strong Ranking bu,tresses.
outJmtting beneath a mysterious.look.