Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1931-08-14
CHAPTER vIII-continued


At dusk they camped in small
thicket at the bottom of deep dingle
down near the lake level. Snow fell
in the night sitting through the tree
tops Amos, looking out III the morn
ing, saw an inch or more of snow on
the dingle sides,
"Hell's griddleslr he exclaimed.
"We'l stay right here till that snow
melts or wait till dark"
He had gathered leeks and dug
some roots which he called wild po-
tatoes. He filed can with snow and
held 1t between his legs while they
ate. In that manner they were able
to appease their thirst with the
melted snow.
boy, ye're lookin' more like yer
self" said Amos. we've been grid
died sorrowful and ye groan in yer
sleep. Hold up yer heart. The Lord
is with US or we'd never a got this
far. I'm goin' to tell We that story O.
John Smiths fight with the Turk in
the siege O. Regal. tn do We good"
He listened moment. peering out
of the bushes. Then, having bitten
off chunk Of tobacco, he lay down at
Roberts side and in a voice just
above whisper began:
1--WE enlisted for the war in Pan
nonia under Henry volda. the earl
O. MeIdritch, who was fightin' the
Turks. 1t was in the siege o. Regal
that Smith had his first big adven-
ture. That city was a hard nut to
crack We endured a terrible CALM.
One day we heard distant trumpet
and see party salIyin' toward us I'M
der a flag o. truce. 1t bore a message
sayin' that many believed we would
make no assault but would soon show
them our heels Would we, their
Lord Turbishaw hankered to know,
oblige them with a fight afore leav-
in? Many ladies was in and near the
camp. They was crazy to see a
fight. He begged that we choose one
O. our captains to fight one o. theirs,
each for the others head. Our gen.
eral agreed. Our captains was eager
for the fight. They had suffered a
month o. tauntin' from the enemy.
They drew lots for the chance O. cut
tin off Turks head. The honor fell
to my friend John Smith. So at the
time set the troops are lined on three
sides. The other side is a wall All
along the top o. 1t the Turkish off
GERS and their ladies are sittin' like
row O. pigeons on fence.
"The Turk come in first, In full ar
NOR, with long lance. on a beautiful
white horse that leaped and caracoled
to the sound o. the hautboys. On the
Turks shoulders was pair o. eagles
wings bordered with silver. There
was shin ornaments on his corselet.
''The trumpets played. Smith en-
tered in plain armor. They stood a
second, lances poised. waitin' for the
word. They charged at a swift gal
lop."
Amos paused. His quick ear had
caught disturbing sound. He arose
and peered through the bushes. 1.-THE
devil and his dogs!" he whispered.
Were ambushed."
The young man arose and drew his
sword.
Put that away Amos commanded.
"They'd eat us up in a fight just
take look"
Robert peered over the shoulder of
his friend. Around the top of the
dingle ring of sayages surrounded
them. each sitting on his heels like a
greyhound, motionless and silent as
the Sphinx of Egypt, looking toward
them.
Amos took two small acorns from a
pocket in his doublet He handed one
to his comrade and whispered: Put
that under yer tongue. It's loaded If
it comes to torture crack the shell in
yer teeth. In less'n minute yen be
out O. hell and on er way to heaven.
Don't resist. whatever they do, unless
1 say fight
They put the acorns in their
mouths Amos stepped ont Of the.
bushes. took off his hat and bowed,
saying: "Hol hoo! hooo"
The savages arose and ran toward
them from all sides.
They were Algonquins who came
around the white men chattering in
low cultural tones They were on the
warpath In the enemy's country and
their love of noise was therefore UNI
der restraint. There were thirty-three
In the band, with shiny creased hair
and bodies. Their faces were gro
tesquely painted. Some had curious,
hobgoblin look with bands of black |
and red paint crossing their cheeks
and foreheads. Some were tattooed |
with crude designs Of the snake and |
the eagle. A few had hair only on one |
side Of their heads All were beard |
less and low-browed with small, black, |
glistening eyes put to no nobler uses
than those of a rat-the finding of
GOOD and enemies.
They were naked save for skins
hanging from girdle above the hips |
and falling about half way to the
knees. Bows and quiyers filled with
arrows hung on their backs. Each