Putnam patriot., 1912-03-22
CHAPTER XII.
Bob Yancy Finds Himself.

-dreamleSs SiSSps utdfs -l1uueQ, DlS eyes slid open. For moment he struggled with the odds and ends of memory. then he recalled the fight at the tavern, the sudden murderous at tack. the fierce blows Slosson had dealt him, the knife thrust which had ended the struggle. Therefore. the bandages that now swathed his head and shoulders; therefore, the need that he should be up and doing-for where was Hannibal?
 Suddenly a shadow fell obliquely across the foot of his narrow bed, and Cavendish, bending his long body somewhat, thrust his head in at the opening He found himself looking into a pair of eyes that for the first time in many long day held the light of consciousness.
 How are you, stranger" he de- handed, in a soft drawl.
 Where am r" The words were 4 whisper on Yancy's bearded lips.
 Well, sir, you are in the Tennes- see river fo' certain. Polly! you jest step here."
 But Polly had heard Cavendish speak, and the murmur of Yancys voice in reply. Now her head ap- peared beside her husbands.
 La, you are some better ain't you, sir?" she cried, smiling down on him. It's been right smart of a spell, too; yes, sir, you've laid like you was dead, and not fo' matter of hours either-but days"
 How long?"
 Well, nigh on to three weeks"
 They saw Yancy's eyes widen with a look of dumb horror.
 And you don't know nothing about my nevvy?-you ain't seen or heard of him. ma 'am?" faltered Yancy.
 Polly shook her head regretfully.
 Ten or whereabouts, ma'am. He were a heap of comfort to me" and the whisper on Yancy's lips was won- derfully tender and wistful. He closed his eyes and presently, lulled by the soft ripple that bore them company, fell into restful sleep.
 The raft drifted on into the days heat; and when at last Yancy awoke. 1t was to find Henry and Keppel seat ed beside him, each solacing him with a small moist hand. Mrs. Cavendish appeared, bringing Yancy's breakfast In her wake came Connie with the baby, and the three little brothers who were to be accorded the cher ished privilege of seeing t. poor gen. tleman eat. Cavendish presented him. self at the opening that did duty as a door.
 This looks like bein' alive, strang- CT" he commented genially.
 "You-all ain't told me yo' name yet?" said Yancy.
 Its Cavendish. Richard Keppel Cavendish.'
 My names Yancy-Bob Yancy."
 MT Cavendish exchanged glances with Mrs Cavendish. By a nod Of her dimpled chin the lady seemed to urge some more extended confidence on his part Chills and Fever seated himself at the foot of Yancy's bed.
 Stranger, what I'm agoin' to tell you, you'll take as bein' said man to man" he began, with the impressive air of one who had a secret of great moment to impart. Ever hear tell of lords?"
 'No" Yancy was quick to notice the look of disappointment on the faces of his new friends.
 Are you ever heard of royalty?" and Cavendish fixed the tnyalids wandering glance.
 You mean kings?'
 ''I shore do."
 Yancy made a mighty mental effort
 There's them Bible kings" he ventured at length.
 Mir. Cavendish shook his head.
 "Them's sacred kings. Are you fa- miliar with any of the profane kings, MT. Yancy?"
 Well, taking them as they come, them Bible kings seemed to average pretty profane" Yancy was disposed to defend this point.
 You must a heard of the kings or England Sho', want any of yo foiks in the war agin' him?"
 I'd plumb forgot. why my daddy fit all through the war" exclaimed Yancy The Cavendishes were i'm mensely relieved.
 Now you-all keep still" said cav endish. T want MT. Yancy should get the straight of this here! The vari- ous orders of royalty are kings, dukes, earls and lords. Earls is the tnlra from the top of the heap, but loros ain't no slouch."
 Dick had ought to know, fo' he's an earl himself" cried Polly exultant- ly.
 "Sho,' Richard Keppel Cavendish' Earl of Lambeth, Sho', that was what he was, Sho'l" and some transient feeling of awe stamped itself upon their small faces as they viewed the long and Timber figure of their par ent
 These here titles go to the eldest son. He begins by bein' yiscount' continued Chills and Fever. Tt was my great grandfather come over hele from England. His name was hlCn- ard Keppel Cavendish, same as mlne is- He lived back wonder on the caro- lima coast and went to raisin topac- co. I've heard my grandfather tell how he'd heard folks say his fatner was always hintin' in his hcKer tnae he was heap better than he seenieu' and if people only knowed the trutn about him they'd respect him mo, anu mebby treat him better. Well, SIT he married and rig a family; tnere was ny grandfather and a passei oi girls-and that crop of children Was the only decent crop he ever TIE.