Evening star., 1915-02-14

and loved me like brother. There fine
day in Bristol City, Jerry and /, drinking and smoking
in the Magpie Inn that abus upon the high road. We
were in merry mood, as befs them that have Jared
WE'LL and with jest and another tossed to and fro,
passing the afternoon at our
There is big bayed window in the Magpie that
buges out upon the roadway, and here it was we sat
and laughed with eye the and its transac
tions. And presently in the midst of jape | ceased
and stared out; for there singular procession
had caught my eye 1t was gang of prisoners mana
ced together, some twelve at guess, and upon each
side stalked armed soldery, and all adjust with
the tramp of roads,
"Why, who be these?" said, and Jerry looked up
from his glass, of which he had drunken very freely
"Damme Sheep" says he, "blehering wooly sheep
with their brands on their back"
But paid him no heed; for | was gazing at one in
the gang an elderly man of venerable aspect that just
then stumbled in his fatigue and fell in the dust of the
street, that the progress of all was stayed. He was
kicked roughly to his feet, and | cried out.
"Trip mel" says l. "Who the devil be these?"
And at that the voice of the innkeeper, who, with
says civlly, "Why It's the rebel prisoners, Sir that
march to the castle, and sail tonight"
"What prsoners?" said |.
otis Judge Jeffreys,' he says, "and these Mon
mouth men for transportation"
Transportation" said |. "Trip me! will they sell
these poor pumpkins into slavery?"
"Aye," he said. "They sail tonight bound for the
Virginian plantations in the Good Fortune"
Burn my bones!" I cried "The Good Fortune!
Bound for hell" said. "God from such good
fortune!"
"Arnen" says the innkeeper.
looked at him. and there was something in his face
that held me-
"They are farmers and the like from Somersetshire
hereabouts" he said, meditating. "He that fell
in the dust is one Master Joynson of Taunton. know
him well. He hath been in Bristol market many a
time"
ITO be sold into slavery" says another under his
breath
NOV it is known that the people of these parts
hot for King Monmouth poor FOOLS and here
evidence of it. Twas not any sympathy with such
silly Anticipates that raised fire within me; but 1
felt shame Englishman that these Englishmen
should be herded CATTLE and shipped to the ends of
the world and sold as men sell blacks
"Damme!" says l, otis enough to make turn
Observation-Disclosures that may be-"
"Hush Sr!" says the innkeeper, and looking fright
ened went from the
But l sat awhile in thought there, and the more
reflected the abhorred that fate to which these
honest farmers doomed.
"Damme!" says l. slapping my knee at last. "Are
ye game to save 'en, Ierry?"
"Save whom?" says he DULY.
"Why, white Englishmen sent to be sold as black
slaves l said.
"What! Is there mort of guneas in it?" he asked
At that gave him handling with my tongue that
he should be always thinking of guineas "You muck
worm!' said |. "Are you cutpurse, canter?"
"Dick," says he, with hccup "if so be you have
venture on will be with you, though it be to slit
my pockets and better Bishop"
So there we were agreed upon the matter; but love
you'll there the to be thought on. l have
never yet known situation that baffled me, and I
not going to be beat by this; cooled my head
and late of the afternoon marched to and fro on the
md t,ae e1