Year: 1861

1t out to you


| will do so. Here is a reward ex-
claimed the horseman, offering him piece
of gold


The other drew back and refused to take
it, alleging that he had done nothing to de-
serve it. The hurseman then put spurs to
his horse and rode away, abend in the road
soon hiding him from sight. Having rode
on until he imagined that his horses hoofs
could not be heard by the charcoal burner,
should the latter be listening, he dismount-
cd and retraced his steps. lie arrived at
the place where he hid left his friend, the
charcoal burner, but the latter could not be
seen. The stranger hastened back to his
horse and remounted


1t is as | expected he muttercd. This
road makes large bend AeTe, and by cut
ting across, he can reach this hut before
HE. | care little, though, as | am fore
warned We shall see who will come out
first | comprehend why he refused my
gold piece he considers it as his own, and
he thinks be may as well take all together;
bnt [ must hurry on and finish this bust
ness before nightiall =


So saying he put spurs to his horse and
rode on. Ten minutes sharp riding
brought the charcoal burners hut in view.


As he first caught sight Of it, he thought
he detected mans face pressed against
one Of the windows. OF this, however,
he could not be certain, as the face, if such
it was, instantly disappeared, At the
sound Of the horses hodfs,, an old woman
appeared in the doorway, and gazing curl
ousiy at him, wal ed till he rode up The
horseman could not help thinking that the
woman was a most fitting companion for
the husband. The expression of her coun-
tenance was even more villainous. The
stranger, however, did not stop to critcise
her appearance, but courteously saluted her,
saying: o..


l believe, Madam, that you are the wife
OF the charcoal burner that met up the
road ?


The woman replied in the affirmative


'Then [ will tell you am bound for
P, which | wish to reach before night
fall. He told me of lane, which was
much shorter than the regular road, which
he said you could point out to me-


Certainly! If that is all that Monsieur
wishes he is easily satisfied You may see
little way up that large tree which tow
ers above the rest, just beyond that large
rock, and the lane enters the road on the
other side Of it. As it is very naTrom, and
grown up with bushes, you would hardly
notice it. But with these directions you
can hardly fail


Never you fear; shall not mis- tie
road ii' - $50


is that all Monsieur wishes?


4 believe so; but stop minute. of:
fered yodr husband a piece Of gold, but he
refused to take it. Perhaps You may be
more sensible


Pierre is too sensitive Wcmight both
starve before he woyjl Jake cent


i see you differ from him little, re
turned the horscman, laughing. lie then
put spurs to his horse and rode on. In a
few minutes he reached the large rock al
ludcd to, and could then percciye the en-
trance to narrow lane, artfully concealed
by bushes. He soon made his way
through them, AID when once in the lane,
found it little wider than he expected
1t also became free of bushes as he pro-
ceeded. Hestopped moment to examine
the priming of his pistol, muttering:


My worthy friends are rather sharp.
They do not their numbering in the open
road. where spilled blood might lead to
their detection, but inyeigle the untortu-
nate traveller into The dark lane, where he
may be safely put away and none be the
wiser of it. 1t any rate, | am fully pre-
pared for them, and they will not put me
OFT Of the way without . struggle
Having seen that his arms were ready
for use, he rode slowly forward, keeping a
careful watch on each side of the road,
that he might not he surprised. As long
| as the woods kept open as they were, he
| did not fear, as there was no good hiding
! place for man. Ere long the woods be-
gan to grew thicker and more sombre.-
Little hillocks covered with bushes became
more frequent, until at last they became a
long range, skirting at each side of the
road. The .horseman felt that the time
WHICH was 70 try him was near at hand,
and he dropped the reins till his hands
covered holster pistol, which he firmly
| grasped in such a manner as a person
would not notice, and he then assumed an
air of carelessness, though his watch was
keener than ever At length he came to
aplaee which he felt certain contained his
enemy. Nature seemed to have adapted
| this place for the purpose of concealment
The rocks which skirted the road at this
place were about breast high, and SO per
pendicular as to be nearly imperFious. The
tall trees on each side of the road twined
their tops together, forming natural ROOT
of leaves, and rendering the place as dark
and dismal as night.


It was 8 scene sufficient to appal TIE
stoutest heart, but the horaeman, although