perejeanor


the jesuit missionary


a catholic story foumded on tacts


chapter iii


the instruction


of the indians who composed the escort of the missionaries some were not yet baptised


all however bad heard with devout attention the preaching of the jesuit


they had listened to him as the messenger of wonderful tidings and had believed


but yet the careful priest hesitated long to admit to the regenerating waters baptism those ot tueir number who tie feared were not sufficiently instructed in the faith of the catholic church


the untaught indian ac customed to roam through the wilderness with the works of god for ever before his observant eyes and with incomprehensibilities around him unable to fathom the mysteries of nature nay the mysteries of his own life felt within himself the conviction of a supreme invisible existence


with the book of nature open before him and natures voice ever in his ear be might well by the dim light of reason wander into the labyrinths of polytheism but it was impossible for him to stifle or forget the instinctive belief of humanity


in the god invisible supreme over all


the un lettered wanderer in the boundless forests had reached the same point of knowledge at which it had been possible for the sage of antiquity to arrive


he worshipped the unknown god


but the machinery of the universe was beyond the power of his reason and he found a minor deity in every bird and beast and fish and tree anid stone


when the catholic missionary preached to him of the god infinite supreme eternal filling all space at whose will the world and all its life and beauty had sprung into being and at whoso will the earth again would melt away who was the creator and the lord of all and in whom nil things lived and moved and had their being to his unsophisticated mind it seem worthy of the great spirit which his instinct had sought after in nature and beyond nature in vain


the piety and real and


superior knowledge of the missionary had won him credence and when he preached to them ofhe saviour who had come upon earth of his death and of his resurrection for the salvation of all and unfolded to them the evidences of christianity they listened with reverence to his words and cherished them in their hearts


in his own canoe father jean laval had placed


two of his neophytes for the purpose of continuing their instruction during the voyage and rene bourdoise in order that he might be schooled in the best mode of conveying knowledge to the simple mindedsavage


huron dost thou know who created thee


he said addressing the elder of the two a warrior of some note whose instruction he had but lately commenced


the great spirit who made the earth and the waters and the forests replied haukimab reverently


and huron did he make the buffalo and the bounding deer


yes father the buffalo and the bounding deer and all things else that live


and did he make thee and me like to them


my fathers taught that the buffalo nnd the bounding deer departed to the hunting ground of


spirits where the warriors shade pursued them us here on earth


it ib wrong


the black gown taaoheth that the great spirit made man like himself and breathed his breath into his nos trils heaven was mudo for the man who doeth good


the wild benst dies aud perishes


father jean laval from the foundation of this simplo questioning ti ok occasion to explain fully and minutely and impress deeply upon the mind of those whom he was instructing the history of mans creation his fall and the pro mise of bis redemption fulfilled by the coming tliepassion and the glorious death of the saviour of the world


he told them how mans nature became corrupt by bis fall how he became per verse through his disobedience proneto evil subject to bll the temptations of the devil it is that which makes the iroquois cruel and bloodthirsty


said the younger neophyte the spiritof evil is within him


as he is with all bad men my son as he is with you when yon indulge revengeful feelings xowaros me auhjuuis


y ueu v


wuuiu uu them eril


for evil


you must love those who hate you


shall the huron love the iroquois


ex


cmmed the young warrior as his eyes glistened with awakened passion and his head was elevated in disdain shall the dove and the hawk nestle together


is the huron a dove in his heart broke in the deep stern voice of ahasistari the dove is tender


the huron brave should be bold and fearless like the eagle


let the huron be a dove in his heart said father jean laval ere the young indian could open his lips again let him be a dove in purity in meekness in piety in love


let


him be the eagle of his tribe when he battles in a just and lawful cause


my father has spoken well replied the chief in a changed and softened tone


yes my dear children your first duty is to god the great spirit your next is to your neighbour


the good spirit created you and sl men to love him and serve him and he com mands you to love one another even your enemies to do good to those who hate you


if the iroquois is fierce and bad pity him and pray that he may listen to the messengers of christ


if you hate the iroquois in what are you better than he v it is good said ahasistari it is like a god to forgive


and then father laval proceeded to inculcate upon his hearers the virtues which were necessary to and which adorned the christian showing how the principles of religion were entwined around all the ties of life and bow they were connected with and ruled every circumstance of our moralexistence


he instructed them in the rules which should govern them in their inter course with all men and the charity so sublime and superhuman which they should cultivate in their hearts


thus seizing every word and every trifling circumstance he made them the occasion and


the vehicle of useful instruction and the means of initiating them into the spirit and practice as well as the doctrines of the catholic church


occasionally to relieve their minds and to break the continuous length of bis instructions lie would interpose a prayer iind


occupy himself in teaching them the responses to the litanies and the prayers of the rosary


they listened with docility and learned with quickness the portions aligned to them and the warriors seemed to vie with each other in acquiring that great and supereminent knowledge which the father of the black gown dispensed to them


thrice a day morning noon and night the jesuit and ren bourdoise the novice in accordance with their previously adopted resolution recited the rosary to procure through the intercession of the mother of god the blessings of heaven on their mission


ahasistari and the catholic indians joined in the responses with devoutness and seemed never to weary under their labors while thus cheered with the refreshing dew of prayer


in this pious occupation the day passed pleasantly and quickly round


father laval each time they landed to prepare their frugal re pasts assembled the whole party round him gave them a short instruction and having blessed their food sat down upon the grass with them and shared their frugal fare


as night approached ahasistari began to look about for a convenient spot to bivouac upon and at length selected a beautiful and secluded in denture in the river banks shaded by lofty trees and protected and rendered almost impenetrable from the land by the thick undergrowth reaching some distance back from the shore


here they landed and drawing up their canoes upon the bank prepared to pass the night upon the spot


after their evening meal had been despatched father laval was about to commence an in struction or exhortation to bis companions when ahasistari approached him respectfully and said my father the mohawk may be abroad his ear is quick


perhaps it is better said father laval carrying out the thought of the other without replying directly to his words my children meditate in silence on what you have been taught this day and pray to god for protection invoking the intercession of mary our holy mother wrapping themselves in their blankets after bending their knees in silent prayer the indians stretched themselves upon the ground and soon sunk into the light and watchful sleep of men accustomed to snatch their repose in the midst of danger


the jesuit and rene bourdoise did not so easily betake themselves to slumber


for the novice especially was it a situation calculated to drive sleep from his eyelids until nature should sink into unconsciousness from exhaustion


as he lay wakeful and apprehensive he turned his eye frequently upon the form of ahasistari which in the indistinct light was barely dis cernible to the steady gaze


occasionally a bright gleam from the expiring embers would lighten uo the picturesque figure of the indian


tho warrior sat at the foot of a tree rest ing his head upon his band in a careless manner which seemed to the young novice to be the atti tude of one wrapt in thought and contemplation


ahasistari was meditating but every outward sense was on the alert eager to catch the slightest sound or motion on the forest or upon the mur muring river


the stars were looking down from heatren sweetly and tenderly shedding a dim light upon the moving waters whose broken sur face reflected the countless pencils of light in myriad forms of quivering beauty


the unbroken silence of the forest was distinctand clear from the murmuring of the waters orr the shore with thatdistinctness which the listening oar hanging over the crystal wave cau judge between the stillness and quiescence of the solemn grove nnd the sweet low music of the living stream


the air was mild and calm


it was a night to wor ship god in


the hours passed and the motionless form of the watching indian seemed to the dull and closing eye of the novice to swell into gigantic size and then to shrink and fade away to nothingness until in the imperceptible sinking of


his senses under fatigue and slumber the beauteous scene around him passed from before his closed orbs and bis spirit began to wander in the sunny fields of his own dear france


how long he slept he knew not but he was at length aroused by the hand of the indian upon his shoulder


it was not yet day but every prepa ration bad already been made to depart and the kindness of the chief had permitted the young man to enjoy unbroken until the last moment the deep and refreshing slumber which had wrapped his senses


leaping up from his bard couch the young npvica performed his morning devotions and having made his ablution in the running waters was ready to take his seat in the canoe the moment it was launched father lival had resolved that ren bourdoise and himself should occupy different canoes during the rest of the voyage in order that the young man might be employed as well as himself in instructing the catechumens of whom as we have already said there was a number not yet fully prepared scattered throughout the fleet


in a few moments the dark forms of the canoes shot out from the banks of the river keeping within the verge of the heavy shadows of the overhanging woods and pursuing their course rapidly and silently rtowardsfthe new fort of montreal


ere the day dawned they had proceeded many miles upon their journey when striking deeper into the cur rent the canoes drew out in a more extended line and continued on their course


chapter iv


night upon the waters


several jays were happily passed in this man ner and although the progress of the party had been regular the declining sun of the fourth day found them still distant from the sheltering walls of montreal


as they were now in the most dangerous portion of their passage between the two forts it was determined not


to land but to continue their voyage during the night


the indians relieving each other at the paddle and snatching a moments repose while the canoes proceeded slowly and with diminished force up the river


stretching themselves upon the bottom of the canoes father laval and rene bourdoise pre pared to sleep having committed themselves to the keeping of god


the novice had already be come in a manner accustomed to the novelty of his situation and its dangers from familiarity began to lose the terror which it had at first possessed


sleep soon closed his eyes for his heart was pure nnd he bad learned to look on death too long in the stern training of the chris tian soldier to dread bis approach come apparelled as be might


even reflecting upon life the jesuit is taught to look to its last end to value it as a means worthless in itself priceless when laid downto purchase immortal bliss


death has no pangs for him for htm it cannot sever any earthly ties the only tie that binds him to this earth leads through the portals of the tomb to heaven


those gates to most men so dark and gloomy are but the triumphal arch through which be shall pass when the victory over sin and hell is won for him


constant meditation has cooled bis passions stemmed their rapid flow and taught him well the utter worthlessness of earthly pride and pleasures and possessions


he follows the com mand of the saviour to the youth who sought the rule of perfection


he strips himself of earthly riches


he is ready then to go forth upon the world without staff or scrip or raiment to do gods work prepared for life or death in obedience to the will of his divine master


calmly and sweetly trusting in the loving care of the mother under whose powerful intercession he had placed himself the novice slept the sleep of youth


soft tones old and fond remembrances kind voices and familiar names seemed once more to mingle in his slumbering sense with the light murmur of the rippling wave and the low music of the zephyr that fanned his cheek


dear faces beamed upon him


he sat again beside the well worn and familiar hearth and bis gray haired father smiled once more upon the son he loved the son of bis old age vowed to the service of his god


for such was the youthful rene from childhood dedicated to the altar breathing the pure atmosphere of its unpolluted precincts conscious even in his fathers house and in his early years of the solemn duty which lay before him for bis future life


sweetly came the recol lection of his childhoods home and those dear old faces with their beaming smiles melting from beneath the frost of years of stern study and deep holy meditation which had schooled his heart into higher nobler thought of sweeter purer love love to the father of all fathers en grossing and sublimating all true love in bis young heart


but now in dreams fondly retracing many a thousand league and many a toilsome year the human spirit true to its human nature back to its old affections and its mortal ties went hurrying but not forgetful of its own heaven wird destiny


it was pure happiness pure in fantile joy such as in childhood be had felt for now it seemed to him that once again he was a child a thoughtless gay and cheerful child without a care without a fear with no responsi bility and with no feeling but of the present moment


the waters of the flowing river mur mured in his ear and fancy broke the changeless sound into some sweet old melody once sung to him by fond maternal lips


the light but quivering stroke of the bending paddle swaying the fragile bark and its soft and gentle motion as it cut the waters rocked him sweetly tilt he lay like an infant slumbering on its mothers breast


thus slept the youthful novice


father laval had more care upon his mind and it was long before he gave way to the weari ness that hung on his eyelids


he felt that the critical hour had arrived for if the company once reached montreal and commenced to ascend the ottawa there was less danger of being attacked by a force more powerful than their own


at length he too composed himself to slumber confiding himself to the protection of an all seeing god


as leader of the party ahasistari insensible to fatigue when the safety of his charge might beat issue watched all night


to the enduring nature of the indian this was little and his band only sought occasional repose in order that a portion might be fresh and prepared for any event


from the prow of his canoe which had drawn from the rear to the head of the line the chief scanned with keen and watchful eye either shore of the river as they ascended


but all nature slept and it seemed as if with nature even the fell heart of man was at rest


no mark or trace of an enemy met his eye for even in the dim light of the stars the wondrous sense of an indian warrior might detect the presence of his foe and the slightest sound the breaking of a twig might be heard in the stillness of the hour over the murmuring waters


but all things were silent and the chief began to hope that perhaps no mohawks were outlying along the river and that their passage would be made without difficulty or danger


but he did not become less watchful


at length the starlit canopy began to lighten up faintly towards the east


dim and almost imperceptible was the first precursor of the dawn merely a lesser darkness


thus it passed for many minutes making the summits of the far hills sharper and more distinct andshrouding the lower forest in deeper gloom


gradually tlie view became more distinct and a quick eye might barely trace the forms of nature


the canoes were now approaching a narrower portion of the river and ahasistari became more watchful than before


at length his eye seemed to fix upon a portion of the forest that overhung the river above them on their route then he raised it up towards the sky above the woods


the scrutiny did not seem to satisfy him and guiding the canoe from the shore so as to bring the object more to light he watched it as the barks moved on


the warriors in the rearward canoes observed the motion but with apparent indifference still urged on their frail vessels knowing the skill and coolness of their leader


in a little while the motion of the canoe brought the top of that por tion of the forest opposite a bright clear star and across its face for a single instant came a dimness like that caused by a thin wiry column of smoke or vapor


ugh exclaimed the chief in the deep guttural tone peculiar to the indian and with a sudden motion of his paddle he sent the canoe whirling in towards the southern shore under the shadows of the hilla


then staying its progress he crouched close to diminish the risk of obser vation by any wandering eye thit might be upon the shore


his example was silently followed and soon the line of canoes lay within the verge of the dark shadows motionless and seemingly unoccupied


not a question was asked no anxiety or curiosity was manifested the warriors coldly and impassively waited the motions of their chief


the keen eye of ahasistari still scanned the forest with quick and suspicious glances when a slight sound struck upon his enr it seemed like the snapping of a twig benoath a light and cautious tread


the sound was very faint but it did not escape the ear of a single warrior the youngest and least practised


the jesuit who lay in the canoe of the leader began to turn uneasily in his sleep affected by the change from motion to rest and his breathing seemed to grow louder in the stillness of things around


ahasistari pointed with his finger to the sleeping missionary and haukimah the neophyte stooped down low over the good father and genty laid his hand upon his shoulder


in a moment father laval opened his eyes with a slight start but the low hist


and the finger of the neophyte pressed upon his lips instinctively visible in the grey light immediately recalled him to consciousness


a single glance enabled him to catch at least a general idea of the situ ation of affairs and raising his heart in prayer be awaited with resignation the end whatsoever it might be


similar was tbe awakening of rend bourdoise


the young novice we have said had sooner fallen into a deep and refreshing slumber and the first checking of the speed of the canoe had startled him and its ceasing bad aroused him


observing the state of preparation around him his young french blood fiery yet in spite of its cold training from worldly feeling began to glow as he thought that the enemies of france and the foes of his religion might perhaps be at that moment lying within reach and that battle between man and man in which he durst bear no part might soon take place before his eyes


it was not without an effort that he suc ceeded in restraining these feelings and


giving himself up to the weapons of prayer and hu miliation of spirit


a young bright glowing heart bad ren bourdoise


watook his pupil who sat by bis side observed the mental struggle of the young ecclesiastic and marked tbe spark ling of his eye and his heart swelled with a deeper affection as he beheld the subdued work ings of the noble spirit within


will the young blackgown share watooks weapons


he said in a low whisper watook has a keen and polished knife and his carbine is sure they shall be his brothers


watook will use the weapons of his people


as he spoke the generous young warrior drew the knife from his belt and tendered the arms to the young novice


a deep blush suffused the fine face of rene bourdoise


it is impossible to tell what feeling most predominated in the inward struggle and sent the evidence of shame tingling to his cheek whether was it the manhood and the spirit of flesh yet unsubdued within him that scorned to act like a woman when the strife shpuld come and yet durst not receive the profferred weapons which must remain so idle in his hands or was it a o mscious shame that hu dememour forgetful of the bearing of the christian messenger of love and faith had wakened in the heart of the savage such thoughts has caused his offer when he should have been preparing with silent prayer and resignation to win his martyrs crown


he gazed upon the weapons for a moment but the training of the novice amidst silence and contem plation was too strong for the impulse of the passions and putting them aside he said keep your arms my brother


they would be useless in my hands i know not how to wield them


i am a man of peace


none vowed to theservice of the altar may stain their hands in human blood but must submit to the trials which are given them


oh my father


he continued mentally who readest all hearts forgive the sinful thoughts which carried me away and stirred up the evil of my nature and bowing down his head he sat composed and motionless not less the wonder than the admiration of the man who saw that fear had nothing to do with conduct to him hitherto little acquainted with the missionaries so inexplicable


as the canoes swung in towards the shore im pelled by an occasional stroke of the paddle the current bore them somewhat lover down the river


tbe descent was evident for the trees upon the bank seemed slowly to pass by them as il were giving the appearance of rest to the canoes


the indians did not endeavour to keep them on their former course but permitted them to drop gently down the stream


father lnvil kept his eye intently fixed upon the forest but he found it difficult to penetrate the darkness which shrouded it


the canoes had now reached a point where the underwood was not so thick as that above and where there was but little danger of an ambush


ahasistari again emitted a low exclamation and pointed towards an open part of the forest


the eye of father laval followed the direction and up the stream in the rear of tbe heavy underwood he caught a momentary glimpse of the dying embers of a fire


the thick trunk of a tree in the next instant concealed it from his sight


there was no sign of life or motion near it or around it


he again assumed his place at the bottom of the canoe from which he had raised himself to look around


the eye of the chief was now turned upon the portion of the forest immediately before them and he held a consulta tion in low tones with the old warrior by his side


haukimah tbe trail is there he said point ing to a spot which seemed to the jesuit who again raised his head as tbe chief spoke to pre sent no marks by which to distinguish it from the banks above or below it


yes the mohawk has left it broad a yengeese might follow in it the mohawk is cunning


he is a wolf but he leaves his trail like a bear


the old indian shook his head doubtingly and after a moments pause replied the iroquois can hide his trail if he will he is strong he has left a broad trail


no he would have concealed it then


yes if making an ambush but he is strong and fears not pursuit his fire is burning out he has gone and haukimah pointed towards the south


it did not seem impossible that the party of mohawks had passed on by that route during the night leaving thejr fire behind them unex tinguished and their trail so broad as to negative the idea of an ambush at that spot yet the chief determined to reconnoitre more losely before be ventured to pass onwards in front of the suspicious spot and thus expose his party to the certainty of discovery and pursuit


the light had already become more distinct and tbe marks about which the warriors differed became at last visible to father laval himself though bad not his attention been directed to the spot be could not have discovered their exis tence


the low bushes on the edge of the water were displaced and beaten down though portions seemed as if carefully replaced while the under wood above on the higher portion of the bank which extended upwards a few feet from the sur face of the water presented on their lower branches bent and broken boughs and torn leaves as if done by the grasp of persons carelessly ascending


the canoes still continued to near the shpre and were kept by the occasional stroke of the paddle from descending farther down the current


they were now within a very short distance of the bank but it was impossible to discover there the least evidence of life or motion and the two frenchman began to comfort them selves with the reflection that the indians had departed and that nothing was to be apprehended


the hurons however were still silent and watchful cautiously concealing as much of their bodies as they could in their canoes


the chief again turned and spoke in a low tone to haukimab


how many does my brother count upon the sand


and he pointed to the bank at the edge of the water


tue old warrior held up three fingers


yes there were hut three canoes of them said ahasistari there is nothing to fear


father laval looked in wonder for the indica tions from which the warriors had drawn their were plain enough


it seemed that the mohawks if mohawks they were had proceeded with an utter disregard of the usual precautions which indians especially in an enemys country adopted to conceal their path


on the sand the irint of moccasined feet were stamped deeply but scarcely perceptible in the dim light and in three places close together the indentures made by the bow of a canoe carelessly dragged from the water were indistinctly seen


whilst the two chiefs more closely examined the shore to discover if any delusion were practised upon them the canoe in which the novice was placed shot up i towards them and the young indian watook j uttering a hiss like that of the water snake so like that father laval involuntarily started with disgust at the seeming proximity of the imagi nary reptile exclaimed the mohawk


every eye followed the direction of his ex tended hand and at the moment a dusky form was seen darting rapidly from one tree to another lower down and nearer tbe canoes


an instant after a wild yell broke from the forest the fush of rifles lit up its dark shades and gleamed upon the waters a cloud of arrows rattled down upon them and half stifled groans arose from tbe canoes


every shot came from above none as yet from the forest in front or below the canoes


none was returned


covered wilh dense smoke and concealed in their coverts the unseen foe would have suffered little from the fire of the canoes had they returned it


the moment that theyell broke out


father laval felt the light boat spring suddenly in the water impelled by the powerful arms of the hurons who sternly and silently bent to their paddles hoping to reach a cover atid make successful defence


the dis covery the warcry and the rattling volley followed each other almost instantaneously but tbe impulse to the light barks had been so strong and quick that ere the volley pealed they had cleared half the space towards the shore


it was a fortunate movement the rapidity of their pro gress had rendered the aim of their ambushed foes uncertain with the clumsy and unsure weapons with which the dutch o new york scantily furnished them in their trade


but the speed of their canoe began to relax broken paddles floated in the water and the indians who bad borne them crouched low grasping their arms and watching intently for some object head leg or arm to aim at


the jesuit felt the water slowly rising around his feet tbe canoe was riddled and was filling fast little better was the fate of the rest


it seemed as if the foe had aimed principally at the canoes as if to pre vent escape and had all their shots taken effect they must have sunk at once


it was a moment of intense anxiety death from the ambush death from the wave was be fore them and around


it was doubtful whether they could reach the shore


in the midst of danger there was one thought more painful to the jesuit than the thought of death


there were those around him who bad not yet been baptised and with agony he reflected that each pealing shot each hissing shaft might send one of these un fortunate children of the forest unwashed from the dark stain of sin to the presence of his god


the shots that every instant whistled around him had no terrors for him the deep responsibility of human souls was upon him


the old warrior haukimah sat motionless be fore him


his face was rested on his hand his rifle lay across his knee he looked steadily in the face of the priest and marked with deep con cern the pain which shot across his features


the bunting shirt of the warrior was dripping with blood yet no sign of pain escaped but a wistful glance lingered upon his face as he fixed his eyes upon the countenance of the jesuit


ybii are wounded said father laval


the indian slowly and somewhat painfully bowed his head


and seriously is it near your heart


con tinued the priest


haukimah s last fiht is fought replied the indian patiently he will go to the spirit land


and alas


you have not yet been baptized


i have sought it i wait


yes it has been delayed that you might be further instructed you have been instructed it can be delayed no longer


a faint smile of joy passed over the stern fea tures of the wounded man and their look of fixed determination relaxed into a softer expres sion


it is good he said quietly


do you repent for all your offences against the good spirit


i have ever loved him if i have offended i am sorry he said faintly


there was no space for further questioning and the good priest arose his large form present ing a fair mark to the foe heedless of danger be stooped and filled his hand with water from the river and pouring it upon tbe upraised forehead of the warrior pronounced the holy and mystic words of the sacrament


the eye of the dying indian again lit up a joyous smile passed once more across bis features his lips motionless before opened and faiat indistinct words of prayer escaped them


then a gushing sound was heard his hand moved wanderingly towards the wound the blood was bursting from it in a dark and bubbling stream


his head sank upon his breast and the spirit of the regenerated had taken its flight


may he rest in peace mentally ejaculated father jean laval as be cast his eye once more upon the scene around


it had now become terrific


the fragile bark was sinking beneath them escape by the river was impossible escape by the shore seemed already doubtful


the brave hurons taken at disadvantage were unable to display their accustomed valour


at a signal from the chief two warriors sprang from the canoe and thus lightened and buoyed up the sinking bark at the same moment almost a few strokes sent it within fording of tbe land


every man made for the shore grasping his rifle in bis left hand while his right brandished his toma hawk


ahasistari bounded to the beach


bidding father jean laval to follow him it was but a moments work to reach a cover in the woods


he was followed by a number of his braves and ere the last canoe had touched the shore the sharp crack of the huron carbines was heard on the flank of the iroquois


as suddenly the firing ceased


the iroquois surprised by the unex pected activity of the huron movement clung close to their coverts and for a time a fearful and unbroken silence hung upon the scene of death


upon the shore by the side of a dying indian knelt father jean laval


the cross of christ was in his hands and the eyes of tbe departing rested on it


words of holy comfort flowed from his lips the solemn absolution was pronounced and anointed and annealed the spirit of


the christian warrior took its flight in the midst of the stern silence that momentarily reigned around that scene of strife to regions where neither battle nor death can come


as the last convulsive throb of dying agony ceased and the muscular limbs of the warrior fell back motionless from the death struggle the priest arose from his posture by the side of the lifeless body


have mercy on him oh lord


he said in n low sad voice and turned away towards the forest to be continued


lite rat ur a tale of two cities


in titbee books


by charles dickens


continued from the age of october th


book the second


tub goldex thread


clltrteb


v the jackili j those were drinking ya and most man drauk hrd


so very great is tho improvement tirna hia brought about ia suoh habits that a moderate etatoment of the quantity of wine and punch which ono man would swallow in tho oourse of a night without any detriment to ma reputation aa a per fect gentleman would seem in these days a ridi culous exaggeration


tho learned profession of tho taw wan certainlv flot behind any oiher learned profetbionin its bacchanalian propensities neither was mr strjver already fast ehoulderirg his way to a large and lucrative practice behind his c im peers in tbis particular any more than in the drier pari of he legal raca a favorite at he old bailey and ok


at the beeoions mr stryver had begun cautiously to hew away tho lower staves oi the ladder on which ho mounted


sessions and old bailey had uow to summon their favorite sjiocially to their longing arms and shouldering itself towards the visage of the lord chief justice in the court of kings bench the florid countenance of mr stryver might be dally seen bursting out of tbe bed of wigs like a great sunflower pushing its way at the sun from among a rank gardenfull of flaring companions


it bad once been noted at the bar that while mr stryver was a glib man and an unscrupulous and a ready and a bold hu had not that faculty of extracting the essence from a heap of statement which is among the most striking and necessary of


the advocates accomplishments


cut a remark able improvevntnt came upon him as to this lhe more business he got tho greater his power seemed to grow of getting ot its pith aad marrow and however late at night he sat carousing with sydney carton he always had his points ai hi figcr ends in the morning


sydney carton idlest aad most uncompromisiug of men wasstryvers great ally


what the two drank together between hilary term and mi chaelmas might have floated a kings ship


stryver never had a case in hand anywhero but carton was tborc with his hands in his pockets staring at the ceiling of the court


jhey went tbe btre cir cuit and even there they prolonged their ubual orgies late into the night and carton was rumored to oe seen at broad day going home stealthily aud unsteadily to his lodgings like a dissipated cat


at last h began to get about among such as were interested in tbe matter that although sydney carton would never be a ou he was an amazingly good jackal and that he rendered suit and serviec to sttyver iu that humble capacity


ten oolcck sir saul tho man at tho tavern whom he had char ged to wake him ten oolcck ilr


whats the matter


ten oclock bir


what do you mean


ten oclock at night v yes sir


your honor told mo to call you


oh i i remember


vary well very well


after a few dull efforts to get to steep again whioh the man dexterously combated by stirring


the fire continuously for fio minute he gov up


toseod his hat on and walked out


he turned into the temple and having revived himself by twiso ftamnif the navements of kines benchwalk acd paierhuildings turned into the stryver chambers ho


strjver clerk who never assisted at these conferences had gone home and the stryver prin cipal opened the door


he bad his slippers on and a loose bedgown and mb throat was bare for hia greater ease


he had that rather wild strain ed beared marking about the eyes which may be observed in all free livers of his olaea from tho portrait of jeffries downward and which can be traced under various diguises of art through the portraits of every drinking age


you are a little late memory said stryver


about tho usual time it may be a quarter of an hour later


they went into a dingy room lined with books and littered with papers where there wa a biasing fire


a kettle steamed upon tho hob and in tbo midst of the wreck of papers a table shone with plenty of wine upon it and brandy and rum and sugar and lemons


tt rr liofflrt t nornirn iohilttvo uttujwul


wvwtuvf ww


w


two to night i think


i have been dining with the days client or seeing him dine its nil ono


that was a rare paint sydney that yoa brought to bear upon tho identification


how did you come by it


when did it strike you


i thought he was rather a handsome fellow and i though i should have been much the same eort of follow if i had had apy luok


mr stryvor laughed till he shook hia precocious paunch


you and your luck sydnoy get to work get to work


sullenly enough the jackal loosened his dres


went into au adjoining room and came bask with


a largo jug of cold water a basin and a towel or two


steeping the towels in tho water and par tially wringing them out he folded them on his bead in a manner hidoous to behold sat down at the table and eaid now i am ready a not much boiling down to bo done tonight memory eaid mr strjver gaily as he looked among his papers


howmuoh


only two sots of them give me the worst first


there they are sydney


fire away


the hon then composed himself on his back on a tofa on one fide of the driukiugtable whilo the jackal sat at his own paper bestrewn tablo proper on the other side of it with tho bottlc and glasses ready to his band


both resorted to tbe drinking table without stint but


efch in a different way the lion fr tho most part reclining with hia hands in his waistband looking at tho fire or occasionally flirting with some lighter docu maa the jaokal with knitted brows end intent face io deep iu his tsk that his eyes did not even follow the hand he stretched out lor his glass which often groped about for a minute or more before it found tbe glass for his lip


two or three limes the matter in hand became so knoiy that the juckal found it iroperativo on bim to got op and steep his towels anew


from these pilgrimages to the jug and babin he returned wiili such eccent ricities of damp headgear as no words can des cribe whioh v ere made tho more ludicnu by his anxious gravity


at length the jackal had got together a compaot rupnsi


ior me


uuu uuu piccuuuuu iu uusi ii m him


the lion took it with care and cautiou made his selections fi ora it


and bis remarks upon it and the j ackal assisted both


whon tha repast wab fully diecuesed tho lion put his haud in his waistband again and lay down to meditate


tho jaokal hen invigorated himself with a bumper for bi throttle and a fresh application to his head and applied himself to the collection of a second meal this was administered to the lion in tho smo manner and was not disposed of until the docks struck three in the morning


and now wo have done sydney fill a bumper of punch said mr stryver


the jickal removed the towes from his head which had been steaming agiin shook himself i yawned shivered aad complied


you were very sound sydney in the matter of those crown witnesses to day


every question told


i always am sounu am l not i dont gaiusay it


what has roughened your temper


put some punch to it and smooth it again


with a dcprecatoiy grunt the jackal again complifd


the old sydney carton of old shrewsbury school said stryver nodding his head over him as ho reviewed him ia the present and tbo past the old saesaw sydney


up one minute and down the next now in spirits and now in despoudenoy


ah returned tho other sighing yea


the same sydney with the same luclc


kven then i did exercisc for other boys and seldom did my own


and why not got knewp


it ivns my way i suppose


he sat


with bis hands in his pockets and his legb stretched out before him looking at the ore carton


said hia friend sauariuc liimaeli at him with a bullying air as if tho liregrate had been tbe furnace in which sustained endeavour wae forged nnd tbo oue delicate thing to be dono for the old sydney carton of old shrewsbury school was to shoulder him into it ycur way is and always was a lamo way


you summon no energy and no purpose


look at me


oh botheratiou returned sydney with ft lighter and moro goodhumoured laugh dont you be moral


how have i done what i have done said stryvor how do i do what i do v partly through paying me to help you sup pose


but its not worth your while to apostro phise me or the air about it what you want to do you do


you were always in the front rank and i was always behind


u hoa in rnf nf a


im fmn


i mn k


t wan nnt


burn there was iv i wan not present at the ceremony but my opinion is you were said cirten


at this he laughed again and they both laughed


before shrewsbury and at shrewsbury and ever since shrewsbury parcued carton you have fallen into your rank and i have fallen into mine


even vrhon we were fellow students in the quartier latin picking up french and french law and other frencli crumbs that wo didnt gf t much good of you were always somewhere and i was always nowhere


and whoso fault was that


upon my soul i am not sure that it was not yours


you wore always driviug and riving and ahouldcring nnd pressing to that restless degree j that i bad no chance for my lite but in rust and repose


its a gloomy bini however to talk about i oue s own past with tho day breaking


turn me in i some other direction nctore i go


well then


pledge me to the pretty witness said stryver holding up his glass


are you turned in a pleftaut direction


apparently not for ho became gloomy again


ptctty witness he muttered looking down into his glass


have had enough of witnesses to day and tonight whos your pretty witness


the picturesque doctors daughter miss ma nelte


she pretty


is she not


no


why man alive elie was the admiration of the whole court


rot the admiration of tbo whole court


who madn the old bailey a judge of beauty


she was a goldenhaired doll


do you know sydney said mr stryver look ing at him wiih sharp eye nnd slowly drawing a hand acros his florid face do you know i rather thought at the time that you sympathised with the goldenhaired doll aud wore quick to see what happened to tho golden haired doll


quick to seo what happened


if a girl dol or no doll swoons within a yard or two of a mans nose he can see it without a perpcoliveglass


i pledge you but i deny the beauty


aud now ill haveno more drink ill get to bed


when his host followed him out on tbe btaircse with a candle to light him down tho stair ths day was coldly looking in through its grimy windows


when lie got out of tho house the air was cold and sad the dull sky overcast the river dark and dim the whole scene like a lifeless desert


and wreaths of dust were spinning round and round before the morning blast as if the desertsand had risen far away and tho first spra of it in its advance had begun to overhelm the city


waste forces within him nnd a desert all around tats mmj uvuuu ouu uu ui a rtj ouvmw wfi raco ancfoiw for a moment lying in the wilder ness before him a mirage of honorable ambition selfdenial and perseverance


in the fair city of this vision there were airy galleries from which the loves and graces looked upon him gardousin whioh the fruits of life hung ripening waters of hope that sparkled in hia sight


a moment and it was gone


climbing to a high chamber in a well of houses ho threw himself down in his clothes on a neglected bed and its pillow was wet with wasted tears


sadly sadly the snn rose it rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emo tions incapable of their directed exercise inca pable of his own help and his own happiness ron sible of the blight on him aud resigning himself to lot it cat him away


cllaftklt vi


hundreds people


the quiet lodgings oi doctor manelto were in a quiet streetcorner not far from soho square


on tbe efcernoon of a certain fine sunday when tho waves of four months had rolled over tho trial for treason aud oarried it aa to tho public interest and memory far out to sea mr jurvis lorry walked along tho sunny streets from clerkenwell where he livod on bis way to dine with the doctor


alter several relapses into businessabsorption


mr lorry had become the doctors friend and the quiet btreetcorner was the sunny part of his life


on this certain fine sunday mr lorry walked towards scho early in the afternoon for three reasons of habit


iirstly beoaube on flne sun day he ofton walked out before dinner with the doctor and iucic secondly because on unfavor able sundays he was accustomed to be with thorn as the lamily friend talking reading looking out of window and generally getting through tho day thirdly becauso bo happened to have his own little bbrewd doubts to solve and knew how the ways of the doctors household pointed to that time as a likely time for solviug them


a quiintet corner than the corner where the doctor lived was not to bo found iu


london


there was no way through it and the front i windows of the doctors lodging commanded a pleasant little vista of street that had a congenial air of retirement on it


thero were tew buildings thon north of the oxordroad and foresttrees flourished add wild flowers grew nnd the hawthorn blossomed iu the now vanished fields


as a oon eequcnce country airs circulated in soho with vigorous freedom instead of languishing into the parish like stray paupers without a settlement and there was many a good south wall not far off on whioh the peaches ripened in their season


the summer light struck into the corner bril liantly in the earlier part of the day but when the streets grew hot the corner was in shadow though not iu shadow so remote but that you could see beyond it into a glare of brightness


it was a cool spot staid but cheerful a wonderful place for echoes and a very harbor from the raging streets


there ought to have been a tranquil bark in euch an anchorage and there was


the doctor occupied two floors of a large still house where several callings purported to be pursued by uy but whereof little was audible any day and which j was shunned by all of them at night


in a build ing at the back attainable by a courtyard where a planetree rustled its green leaves ohurch organs claimed to be made and silver to be chased and likewise gold to be beaten by fome mysterious gifnt who had a golden arm staiting out of the wall of the front hall as if he had beaten himself precious and menaced a similar converfiou of all visitors


very little of these trades or of a lonely lodger rumoured to live up sairy or of a dim coachtrimming maker nsaerted to have a countinghouse below was ever heard or seen


occasionally a stray workman putting iub coat on traversed the hill or a stranger peertd abcut tliereu or a distant clink was heard aoros


the courlytrd or a thump from tbe golden giant


these however were tho only exceptions required to prove the rule that the eparrows in the plune tree behind the house and the echoes in the corner before it hfcd their own way from sunday morning uuto saturday night


doctor mauelte received euch patients here ab his old reputation and its revival in the floating whispers of jiis story brought him


nis scientific krowlodge iad his vigilance and ekilt in conduc ting ingenious experiment brought him otherwise into moderafco request and he earned as much as ho wauljd


tho mill in htc


jarnta fnrrtia knowledge thoughts and notice when he rang the doorbull of the tranquil house in the corner on the fine sunday afternoon


doctor manotto at home


expected boms


miss licie at homo


expected home


iiiea prui at home


possibly uthomc but of a oertaiuty impopaible for haudmaw to anticipate intention of miss pross as to admission or denial of tho fact


l


as i am


at home myself baid mr lorry ill go up stairs


thk settler ciiaitiiii x hixuv was up as usual about sunrise walking in the verandah in front of the house where his host soon joined him and after tlie exchange of tlie mornings salu tation observed you are an caily riser


it is difficult replied handy to shake off early habits


i bave been accustomed lo rise at gunfire about which lime we usually took our rides in llie west indies and although lliere is not i perceive the same necessity in this country yet tbe force of habit clings to one through life and i cannot but pity those wlio waste the best part of their existence in bed particularly in the climate with which this country is blessed


what in lbe world can compen sate for the deprivation of the sight of that glorious luminary t pointing to the sun and i may compliment you jour taste in frontinc your house as to catch his first rays


in building a house replied his host many people choose the finest prospect for their front but i prefer aspect to prospect and my taste is look to the light though as regards the position of the house consider myself rather fortu nate as it embraces boll for the prospect is fair to my eye comprising as it docs all except a peep of the sea which certainly would be an improvement according to my notions of the picturesque and beautiful


but i see you bave vour spurs on you arc not thinking of moving


tis sunday and you will gain nothing by travelling unless it be any gratification to kick your heels at an inn maitland all day besides which your horse is as much entitled to his day of rest as we are to ours and have no doubt he will carry you all the better for your conressiou in bis favour


shall desire the people to turn him into the pad dock or will you have him kept stabled


handy thanking bis host for his considcia tion and accepted liis invitation for the day


tlie borse was accordingly turned adrift in the paddock to enjoy as well as his master tlie luxury of an australian sunduv


after naradine for some time to and fro in the veiandah the grass being too wet with the dew that had fallen in the night to render a walk beyond agreeable handy received the announcement of break fast and entered the eatingroom in which was seated the lady of tlie house sur rounded by her family and who relumed bis salora with a smile of politeness that assured him of a most cordial welcome


the table was spread with tlie luxuries of the bush and at llie masierv end lay the family bible and another small volume


the good man opened lbe book of life and in a sonorous voice read ihe th chapter of the book of job at the end of which lie uttered a short morning piayer


his fine saxon countenance and flaxen hair which he wore longer than the fashion of the day prescribed together with tbe solemnity with which he conducted the morning ser vice gave him an air truly patriarchal aud the same solemnity seemed to be impressed upon the whole family shewing at once that it was tbeir daily custom


during breakfust handy enquired what intaifs of education existed so fur from any town


these people nodding towards tlie youngsters replied the host have no other education than what they receive here all that i endeavour to teach them is lo speak the truth and ride a horse and think i bare succeeded tolerably well


but handy bad not been long in discover ing that he was a man of high acquire ments and that the education of his chil dren as suitable for a pastoral life was attended to with the most scrupulous care


all tbe domestic arrangements were carried on witb regularity and without any degree of ostentation the eldest children acting as servitors during the meals


the breakfast itself ivas such an one as a prince might have enjoyed whatever requisites a farm and garden could produce were there


ifouhson may talk of his breakfasts in ca nada but commend me to a good breakfast in tlie bush of australia mr mingles bill of fare is a joke to it and talking of mr mingle it may be well to observe that there are beehives in australia where tbe honey is so abundant that even the birds feed upon it flitting about like the humming bird and extracling lilt honey from the in digenuous flowers with their brushtipped tongues


towards tbe close of tbe break fast handy observed the people of eng land know nothing about this country


how should they v enquired his host


having never been here


the country is good enough for those who know how to enjoy it but the misfotune is that people bere may become poor in their haste to be come rich which suspect will be the case witb many ivbo have started with most ex iravasant notions of the wealth that is to be immediately derived from the possession of a couple of sheep a taidcn and plenty of cigars but they seem to forget that unless the population of tlie country in creases in the same ratio as llie increase of the sheep and cattle the market for their surplus stoi k will cease but the spirit of speculation is raging tvitli such violence at this moment that all calculation as to ac tual means is scouted as absurd and j am afraid it will cud like the pat au lait or ihe hielory of the porcelain merchant in the arabian nights entertainments


slill notwithstanding tliis state of things you will admit i think even with your short experience that tbe country possesses many advantages that is to say if we would only use not abuse them


true we are some what subject to drought and scorching winds but when we put into the scale against them the long and intense frosts ifogs and various other inconveniences to which the inhabitants of llie northern part of europe are exposed we shall hnd the balance considerably in our favor


as to canada it is only half a counry for it is locked up by frosts during half the year


then in south america tliere is a pretty fair chance of being swallowed up by an earthquake or of getting a lasso round ones neck in the course of an afternoons ride


agaii at the cape of good hope where understand there is but little grass one might be treated by a grapple with a tiger whereas here the wild dog is our only enemy and he is a cowardly tliief


after breakfast the parly dispersed for a couple of hours handy being conducted by his host to make a tour of bis establish meut which was as he observed like most others in that part of the country consist ing of a number of buildings formed of split timber and ranged round three sides of a square in rear of the house the barn being in the conlre of the side opposite tbe dwellinghouse and in the centre of the equate was hung a large bell


tlie build ings besides those annromiated as stables


pgslyes and cait sheds were used as workshops for lbe various mechanics as signed to the farm as the distance from towns rendered it indispensible ibat each large proprietor should be provided with means not only of effecting lbe ordinary repairs incidental on his farm but in many cases that he should be able lo construct his agricultural implements and in this way a system of mutual assistance is estab lished throughout the country


on ap proaching the barn handy observed three or four men occupied in placing stools benches of slabs placed upon iressels and at one end a few chairs around a table on which a clean while clolli was spread this his host informed him was the rigging out of the church


from the farmyard they lounged to the garden which was spacious and in order one portion of it being occu pied by vines of great strength though not yet in leaf


as they wandered about handy observed your neighbours suppose are few and far between


by no nicans replied liis liost there are more ol them than would be convenient if they were to be permanently settled among us


upon that bill to tlie right there are two hundred men who are required to work willi their legs chained together iltat is harpers hill the blind harper has liis house at ihe foot of it


beyond him lives a light good fellow always laughing which improves bis condition surprisingly


further still and where you see that thing like a pepperbox on the very lop of the mountain is another very fine estate upon which a vast outlay lias been made in im provements the lower part of the lands having been used for agricultural purposes and the mountains at the back for grazing for which they are admirably adapted all the land in the vallies between thai and maitland is of the richest description pro ducing so abundantly as to puzzle the poor setlltr how to dispose of bis surplus and this fecundity has occasioned what in eng land would be considered a slovenly style of farming but of no great consequence here besides tliere is so much to do in a new country tlrt people have no time to attend to the refinements of agriculture moreover wool is our main stay and that i should imagine we can hardly over pro duce lor many years to come f he facility of its production will always render this a pastoral country provided the government leaie us unshackled with respect the occuparcy of llie unappropriated crown lands


after they bad wandered about for some time mr newland looked at his walcli and then observed


i have service to perform you may join in it or not as you lliink proper and at that moment the ringing of the bell in the farm yard com menced


make a practice said lie of assembling my people every sunday morning in the barn it does them no barm and they are not the worse behaved for the little restriction the attendance imposes upon them


shall be most happy to be one of your congregation replied handv


and tbcv wended their way back ic tlie house where the family were all read to proceed to church in the barn


the bulk of lbe congregation servants of tin farm were seated when the family arrived bul they all rose os the nelands entered and then on a nod of the bead from new land resumed tlieir places


the men wen cleanly dressed though their auirc wa light as being suited to tbe delicious cli mate a check shirt unconfined at tbe neck a waislcoat with sleeves the color varyinj accordingtotltetaeteoftheownernd a pai of duck or fustian trousers was the generu costume some two or tbrec indulged in the luxury of a while shirt with a co


j lored cravat loosely tied and the ends con j fined in a ring and bluejacket but the appearance of comfort was the same in all


after a sliort pause the host rose and in a most impressive tone of voice opened tlie morning service with tbe assurance that to the lord our god belong mercies and forgivenesses though we have rebelled against him c and went through tbe church form of prayer and thanksgiving in a manner that would have put to sliamc many of the regularly ordained the chil dren of the family giving the proper re spunses


tlie service was concluded by a most excellent sermon from the jth verse of the ili chapter of tbe book of joshun


as for me and my house we will serve the lord


when the congregation had risen to retire each person seemed deeply impressed


witb the importance of the engagement contained in the declaration made by llie text and to be inwardly avowing oh lord truly am tliy servant other lords beside thee have bad dominion over us but by tlicc only will we make mention of thy name


as the family were leaving the church to return the house


handy observed tlie people of england wlio put you all down for infidels have little idea of the manner in which sundays are observed in the bush of australia but they would have been edified to have been here for lo judge from the countenances of your audience should say there is much real religion in the land as never wit nessed a more attentive congregation titan that which has just separated


my people are tolerably attentive replied newland and i do believe that in some of them that abides which they have heard from the beginning and that they will not cast away their con fidence but will perform ihat they have sworn shewing the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end


this is the only service exact from them on sunday unless it be to perform an act of absolute necessity or mercy which under stand be allowed by tlie christian reli gion


the day is now their own you and must manage to pass the remainder some low or other after lunch for suppose you would not like lo sit in ihe hovse all day


what say you a visit to the blind harper and to our friends the party coloured gentlemen with tlieir legs chained together in tlie stockade yonder


with oil my heart replied handy and after taking some slight refreshment consisting of bread and butter and some dried fruits and a copious goblet of the light wine made on tlie farm they proceeded rather circuitously towards the harpers taking the bank of the river as handy was de sirous of seeing a litlle of whnt is called the alluvial bush


at the suggestion of newland they provided themselves with sticks for he observed there may be some snakes taking their walk as well as ourselves and they are gentlemen who never experience any mercy from me i always endeavour bruise their heads


there was a curious occurrence here last sunday with a snake which was caught in a sportmanlike manner


my youngsters haring caught a lizard of middling size were going to try the experiment of putting him in harness they had already a string round his nerk and were trailing him along when the hell rang for church knowing that mr lizard would be inadmissible as one of the congregation they lied him up to that fence during the service and i am afraid their devotions on that occasion directed more to ihe harnessing of the lizard than to the proper object for the moment the congregation were dismissed they rushed towards the fence and the youngest of them immediately ullercd a loud shriek conceive their horror in find ing in the place of their lizard an enor mous brown snake the venomous reptile was speedily despatched and the lizard was found in bis body the string being sufficiently firm to prevent the former from escaping


as they approached the brush handy observed upon the trunk of one of the gumlrees a lizard of prodigious size darting out his tongue as they passed


tis fortunate he observed that my wife is not here for if she saw that fellow and heard your account of the snike catching just now she would hardly be prevailed on to leave the town


the beast looked indeed like a little alligator he was at least four feet long


they skirted the brush and handy was perfectly astonished at the richness of the vegetation and the variety of strange plants which although not a botanist he could not but admire on account of lbe luxuriance ol their growth


they soon reached the harpers where handy observed llie same degree of atten tion to domestic comfort and good man agement of the establishment that he bad met with all along tlie road


the house was built of stone but unfinished lbe pro prietor though blind was his own archi tect and had superintended every part of the work from llie building of the archi traves


the disposition of the apartments was very commodious and even the aspect of the building was determined with a nicety that would have led any one to suppose the owner enjoyed the full sense of the organ of vision


the outdoor arrange ments were equally judicious and in good taste the garden in excellent order


in ihe management of all these the wife took a considerable share for she was an active intelligent body


after a short slay with the harpers handy proceeded willi his host to visit the stockade which was within a short distance of the bouse


mr nch land who was a magistrate of the territory was received with due attention by ihe principal overseer the officer hat ing availed liimselfof his day of leisure to visit a friend in the neighbourhood


among the prisoners there were many men of intelligent coun tenances and firstrate mechanics and handy was led to the reflection that the practice of sentencing men lo work in chains as a punishment apart from the mere purposes of restraint is open to many objections and contrary to tbe sound prin ciples of penal discipline li has no direct tendency to promoic reformation but on the contrary is calculated to increase des peration of characttr ond yet though the settlers are surrounded by persons in the stations of domestic agricultural and other descriptions of servants many of whom have undergone ihe probation of these chained gangs they live among ibem in comparative safety generally in greater salely than when in england aud it roust be acknowledged lliut many of llie prisoner class do not exhibit greater depravity than the unconvieted public of great britain


tis too late to look at the hill now said newland you will see it as we ride along tomorroiv


to he continued


the stoliy of the campaign


written in a tent from the crimea


from blackwoode magazine


pabt


continued from our last


chapter xxn subsequent operations


on thursday the tli april at day break i rode down to accompany a rcccn noissance which omar pacha who had arrived fro eupatoria with twenty thou sand turks and egyptians in the preced ing week was about to mako towards the tchernaya


at tho barriergate of the intrenchment across tho kadukoi road eight hundred chasseurs dafrique were assembled


in tlic camp of our heavy brigade a squadron of each regiment was drawn up in front of iu own tents aud a half troop of thomass horseartillery was issuing from thc village on to tho plain where thc th hussars who had arrived from india a few days before were drawn up making with tho heavy brigade who presently joined it about one thousand sabres


the french cavalry and guns together with a few turkish horse des cended into lhe plain and the whole waited the proper moment to advance


this depended altogether on the progress of thc turkish infantry which led by omer pacha had issued from the right of our lines far up the hills and were crossing towards kamara


a few shots told us when tho russian outposts were driven in but tbe ground was more difficult than was expected and so much time was taken up on lhe march that i had leisure to ride into eadukoi and breakfast and feed my horse before the cavalry moved across thc plain


at halfpast eight the turks having reached kamara we moved towards can roberls hill french chasseurs turkish horse and english hussars forming a line of skirmishers supported by detachments at a short distance while the main bodies of cavalry came on in compact columns with lhe artillery en the bonks


passing beyond cunroberte hill we found on its rearmost slope a number of burrows like those bivouacked in by tho turks roofed with branches and earth and other similar abodes appeared ou the adjoining slopes all of course deserted


crowning the next ridge we saw a few russian horse men before us in the defile where the charge of the light brigade had taken place on a steep brown hill in front was a body of cossacks behind an intrench rnsnt drawn across the slope near the sum mit


kamara was occupied by thc turkish infantry whoso skirmishers extended down towards those of our cavalry and the main body of tho reconnoitring force appeared on the verge of a high woody rock at the back of kamara and thither i being pre sent merely as an amateur and sot tied to any particular station accordingly rode


the only building remaining in thi village of kamara which stands imlfway between the plain and tio top of the heights on the woronzoff road is the church and that is in a very dilapidated condition


it stands in a stone enclosure which was lined with turkish boldiere a battalion of whom was drawn up on tho slope beneath


passing this i ascended by a path like the bed of a torrent through thick coppice which showed that the rus sians hero must havo been bettor off than we for firewood during the winter car peted with primroses and buttercups and enlivened by borne wild fruit trees in full blossom to the lop of the abrupt moun tains where the main body of the turks had piled arms and were cooking their victuals the officers and such of ours as had accompanied them forming breakfast circles while the engineers took such notes and sketches of the country before them as were required


the view from this lofty point was extensive and grand on the left the tchernaya miqht be traced passing cur position on the plateau to the distant ruins of inkermaon in tbe plain below was our cavalry picturesquely grouped and all around were high moun tains grey or brown of tint with glimpses of green in lowlying spots between


after a time the infantry descended towards kamara where lord raglan and his staff were watching tbe operations which were directed altogether by omer pasha


the venerable appearance which the turkish commanders white beard and mustache gave him at a little distance completely vanished on a closer view when the brightness and energy of bis face correspond well with his slender straight fig re


he looks about forty eight


he has two splendid chargers in tho field a chesuut and a bay


the cossacks still held the hill in front and two bodies of turkish infantry were marched towards them accompanied by doleful music


long before they got within musket range however some rockets wero fired by the french at the cossacks which pitched and exploded near them when they at once quitted the intrenchment and hastened off bel ind the hill up the steep stony barren side of which we all now moved thc turkish infantry already on lieir way being first


presently a volley was heard in front which was fired by the russians posted in tho valley of the tchernaya at those who were first over the hill and which damaged nobody


steep down beneath us was a bend of the river wlich divided into streams and uniting again below meanders here among willows and poplars


on the left stood a stone bidgo higher up the stream than that we had crossed when on the march from mackenzies farm in september covering the hitter on the opposite side of the river was an earth work for six guns which was not armed


other intrcochments were visible at different points particularly up the main road into the hills in front where a few russians were drawn up and car them was a footbridge over the stream


nothing appeared to prevent our passage if wo had been disposed to cross the river but when tho turkish chief had satisfied hia curio bily the troops swept round the hill and commenced the inarch home the h hussars march past for lord haglans inspection on the plain and he after wards rode through the ranks of the heavy brigade which drawn up in squad rons looked very solderlike and splendid though its numbers were but scanty


the men aud horses survivors of that terrible winter bivouac had quite recovered from tho effects of their privations and though not so sleek and shining as of yore looked us fit for work as ever


a few days after omer rcombarkod for euatoria which was said to bo threatened with an attack taking a great part of his troops with him


on tho th of april tho ambassador lird stratf ird do ecdcliffe arrived with his family from constantinople and remained more than a week


on the night of the st of may the french att ioked and carried a counterguard before tho central bastion covering the town in which the russians were preparing to place cs and from whence some small in rtars begun to throw bhells into tho trenches


the musketry fire was very hot during thc conflict at four oclock on thc following afternoon tho russians attempted to retake the work but were repulsed with loss some french guns having been brought to bear ou them in tbe tiro affairs the french lost about men killed and double that number wounded and russian bodies were left on the ground


nine of thc small mortars were among tho trophies secured by our allies and five russian officers were made prisoners


on both occasions the enemys officers are said to have displayed great gallantry in leading on anl animating their men


early in may i accompanied a friend who had just joined from england over tho battle field of inkerman now gaily sprinkled with flowers bine red and jelow


from the twrigun battery we descended tho face of tho hitl where tho russians had climbed up to attack the guards the valley was filled with a luxuriant growth of gross quite hid ing tho marshy soil and ahvo with frogs whose eroakmgs filled the air and tho trees which fringed the collate of tho tchernaya were in full leaf


pasting beyond tho fartheit fratch sentinel we came amid the bushes on tho face of the steep on thb shallow grave of a russian where was visible protruding from the thin covering of soil a withered rlenched hand


the dead mans belt still encircled his bones and the bayonetsheath rested outside tho earth


a little farther down tras a skeleton in russian uniform lying on its faco some lightcoloured locks still clung to the skull and through a holo in tho trowsers the fleshicss leg was visible


thus it happened that my friend who had read in england months before an account of the battle and had learned almost to class it with tho famous actions of history was now face to faoo on the battlefield with tho corpse of soldier slain in the combat while we looked at it a riflomad on the other side of the valley sent a bullet ct us which dropped among the bushes some yards below and some others followed with no bettor aim


to be continued


marie antoinette or the chevalier of the red house


continued from our last


sir rejoined the unknown clasping her hands i can only make one remark it is thut if you allow me to be arrested there will result from it to myself and others evils of such a magnitude that sooner than risk it i implore you to pierce my heart with your sword and throw my body into the seine


tis well madam i will take all upon my self


citizens said he to the national guards as your officer as a patriot and a frenchman i command you to protect this woman and you lorin if this rabble utter a word use the bayonet


make ready cried lorin


oh great heaven exclaimed the un known covering her head with her hood and resting against a post oh protect him the volunteers endeavoured to assume the defensive one of them fired a pistol the ball of which passed through maurices hat


charge cried lorin


there then ensued a struggle in the gloom of night during which several shots were fired then curses imprecations shouts and blas phemy but no one carne the belief being that the massacre had commenced


two or three windows opened and were instantly closed again


the volunteeis fewer in number and not so well armed were instantly defeated j two of their number were severely wounded four others pinned against the wall each having a bayonet upon his breast


there now said lorin i expect you will conduct yourselves like iambs j as for you maurice i charge jon with the safeguard of this woman to the townball


you under stand you will be responsible


yes


then he added in an under tone the pass word


ah the deuce scratching his ear it is dont fear the use i will make of it


faith you may do what you please with itthat is your business but first let us get rid of these fellows


returning to the guards well have you had enough of it


ye dog of a girondin i answered the chief


you are deceived friend we are better sans culatfe than you are we bulong to the club of thermopyle


that does not make this woman less sus pected if she had been a suspicious character would she not have escaped during the struggle that is true enough said one of the volunteers


besides we shall soon know it


whilst my friend conducts her to the guardhouse let us drink to the health of the nation


i am thirsty and acquainted with a beautiful little wine shop at the corner of the street thomas du louvre


why did you not say that before citizen we should not have doubted your patriotism


in the name of the nation and the law i em brace you


the volunteers and guards then embraced each other with enthusiasm


f let us go they all exclaimed and arm in arm the two companions marched fftogether


lqrin approached maurice


come with us i advise you rather than compromise yourself in this manner


women who wander through the streets of paris at midnight are sir dpnotjudge me from appearances alone leave jour friend to finish the good aqtion he has begun


maurice maurice think what you are doing you compromise yourself seriqusly


i know that well but do you wartime to abandonthe poor woman she will be arrested at every step t i v oh yes yes


i whilst with yqtii hall be wtea


you hear maurice she then is in consi j derable danger


come come my dear lorin let us be just


she is either a good patriot or an aristocrat


if an aristocrat we were wrong to protect her if a patriot it is our duty to preserve her


that is to say maurice you reduce me to the neoessity of sacrificing my duty to my friend or my friend to my duty hut i am afraid maurice that the duty will be sacrificed


decide then for one or the other my friend hut in the name of heaven decide quickly


you promise you wont abuse it that is not enough howeverswear and on what


on the altar of the country


lorin took off his hat and presented maurice with the cockade without laughing he took the oath required


now said lorin the word is gaule and lutece


i citizen said maurice i am now at your command


many thanks lorin


a good journey to you said he replacing on his head the altar of the country


he went away chanting one of his songs


when maurice found himself alone with the woman he felt for an instant embarrassed


the fear of being duped the allurement of her uncommon beauty and a vague remorse which twimred the conscience of the pure and exalted republicanall contributed to produce a peculiar hesitation before he guve his arm to the un known


in which direction are you going citizen


alas sir very far indeed


where near to the garden of plants good


let us proceed


ali sir perceive that am a burden to you but believe nie had it not been for the misfortune which has occurred and the fear of encountering other dangers i would not thus abuse your generosity


in short madam remarked maurice who forgot the language imposed upon him by the vocabulary of the republic it is but natural to ask why you are at this hour in the streets of paris you see that except ourselves no one else is abroad


i have already told you sir i paid a visit about noon in the faubourg de roule and i was returning without knowing what had passed


the whole of my time was spent in a retired habitation


yes no doubt one of the old system a gathering place for aristocrats admit it at once citizen


you have publicly demanded my protection at the same time that you have privately laughed at me for granting it


mel and why so doubtless you are aware you have a re publican for your guide and that the repblican betrays his causethat is all


indeed exclaimed she quickly you are mistaken i love the republic as much as you do


in that case you are a good patriot you can have nothing to conceal


from whence came you


i


ah sir do pardon me


and the em phasis on the word sir conveyed such a pro found and sweet expression of modesty that maurice believed she was returning from a lovers interview and without knowing why he felt an oppression at his heart and remained silent


they traversed the bridge marie then the bridge ia tournejie


we are now i think in your quarter said maurice stepping upon the quai st bernard


yes citizen and it is the very place where i have most need of your assistance


indeed madam you forbid me to be indis creet at the same moment that you excite my curiosity


that is not generous


show a little more confidence i am sure i have merited it


will you not do me the honour to say to whom i now address myself


you speak sir to a woman whom you have rescued from the greatest danger she ever encountered and who will be grateful to you to the end of her existence


i do not require so much madam


con descend to be less grateful and tell me your name


impossible you must however have given it had you been taken to the guardhouse


never i in that case you would have been sent to prison


i was resolved to brave all


the prison no is the scaffold i know it


and you w ould have preferred the scaffold to treason


to give my name was to betray


i must certainly say that for a republican you make me play a ingular part


you play the part of a generous man


you found a poor woman being insulted you did not despise her although she was of the com monalty and to save her from total destruction you conduct her home to the miserable quarter which she inhabits


you are right


so much for appearances and i should have believed them had i not seen and spoken to you


your beauty your language belong to a higher class and it is the contrast between these and your present costume and wretched neighbourhood v hich proves to me being abroad at this hour conceals some mys tery


you are silent


well let us talk no more about it


are wo far from your house madam


at this moment they entered the street of the fosses st victor


you see that little black building said the unknown stretching out her hand towards a house situated near to the walls of the garden of plants when we arrive there you will lateme


very good madam you have only to com mand me


you are vexed menot the least in the world besides what would that signify it would signify much for i have another favor to ask you


what is it it is a frank and affectionate adieu an adieu of friendship


you honour me much madam


he must be a singular friend who does not know the name of that friend who conceals her place of abode no doubt from a dread of the ennui of meeting him again


the young woman held down her head and said nothing


besides madam if i have trenohed on some secret do not wish to know it


we are arrived sir


they were then in the old street st jacques i bordered with lofty black houses pierced by obscure alleys and lapes inhabited prjpcipally by tanners for at a short distance rap the small river bievre


here said maurice


what i do you live here


yes impossible i it is so however


adieu


adieu then my brave chevalier adieu my generous pro tector adieu madam replied maurice with slight irony but for my satisfaction say is there a chance of your encountering any other danger


in that case i retire and maurice re ceding two paces made a cold but profound salutation


the unknown remained an instant motionless where she stood


i dp not however wish to take leave of you thusyour hand maurice


maurice approached the unknown and ex tended his hand


he then felt that the young woman placed a ring on his finger


oh qh citizen what are you doing


i implore you sir not to leave me thus


what is it you expect from me


as payment is it not so said the young man bitterly


no but for pardoning me for not revealing that secret which i am compelled to preserve from you


all iask is tobepermitted to seo you again


impossible how


are you serious in intimating thus to me that i shall never see you ogain


never said the unknown in a doleful tone


oh madam you are surely sporting with rae and as he spoke he raised his nobly formed head grasping his long hair in the manner of one who wishes to escape from an attraction that binds him


the unknown regarded bim with an undefi nable look one might have perceived that she had not entirely escaped the sentiment which she had inspired


hear me said she after a silence broken only by a sigh from maurice will you swear on your honour to keep your eye closed from the moment i tell you until you have counted sixtythere now on your honour


and ifi swear what may happen to me something will occur to prove my gratitude


but may not i know


no trust in me and you will see


in truth madam i do not know whether you are an angel or a demon


will you swear yes i swear


whatever occurs you will not open your eyes even ifyou feltyourself struck by aponiard


you confound me madam with this exi gence


well swear sir


it seems to me


you will not risk much


i do swear no matter what may happen said maurice closing his eyes


he stopped


permit me i pray you to see you only once more


the young woman threw back ivr hood with a smile that was not exempt from coquetry


the moon at that moment burst from the clouds and he could see a second time the long curling ebony hair the dark arched eyebrows and the deep thoughtful languishing eyes the nose most perfectly formed and the smiling lips blooming like coral


you are beautiful indeed


beautifultoo beautiful exclaimed maurice


close your ejes said the unknown


maurice obeyed


the young woman took his hand in hers and turned him as she wished


suddenly a perfumed heat seemed to approach his faoe and a gentle kiss was imprinted on his lips leaving the ring behind which ho had formerly refused


the sensation was electric painful and pro found penetrating to the heart and vibrnting its most sacred cords


he made a rapid move ment and stretched his arms before him


your oath cried a voice already at some distance


maurice pressed his folded hands on his eyes to resist the temptation


he counted not he thought not but remained mute motionless and overcome


in a short time he heard a door closing at about fifty or sixty paces from him then all was buried in silence


he removed his hands opened his eyes looked around lum like a man aroused from sleep and perhaps he thought he had just awoke everything that oc curred seeming more like the fleeting passages of a dream had it not been for the ring which converted such an incredible adventure into a reality


when maurice lindey recovered himself and looked around he only perceived stretching to the right and left sombre alleys and gloomy lanes


he endeavoured to compose himself but his mind was troubled and after a moment of cruel incertitude the night being dark and the moon cleudy he set out towards his own home in the street du roule


on reaching the street sainte avoie maurice was surprised at the number of patrols marching throughout the whole quarter of the temple


what is the matter serjeant asked he from a leader of one the patrols who seemed exceedingly busy examining the street des fontaines


matter enough


there has been an attempt made this very night to carry off the woman capet and all her brood


how was that a patrol of the old system having procured i dont know howthe password introduced themselves into the temple under the uniform of the chasseurs of the national guard and would have carried them off


fortunately the person who represented the corporal when speaking to the officer on guard addressed him monsieur sir the aristocrat thussoldhimself


the devil


have they arrested the con spirators


no the patrol regained the street and dispersed


is there any hope of catching these gallants there is only one of them that it is im portant to securea tall thin man who was introduced to the guard by one of the municipal officers


the wretch


what a race he gave us


but he must have found a back eutrance and thus escaped from our pursuit


under any other circumstances maurice would have remained the whole of the night with the patriots who were watching over the safety of the republic but within the space of an hour love of country had ceased to be a single idea


he pursued his way therefore the ngws he had heard dying away gradually from his mind and giving place to the adventure he had met with


besides these attempts had become so frequent and had been used so often as a political stimulus that the affair did not cause much uneasiness to the young republican


the next morning maurice found on his table when he awoke a letter whose writing was small elegant but unknown


he read the device on the seal which was the english word nothing


he opened it and discovered these words thanks


eternal gratitude in exchange for eternal forgetfulness


to be continued


satseirr jttnlslrrtr qltlofk


personal adventures of masteir huiiuphirey


ttt orn cutiosity shopctiapten xlii


ir behoves its to leave kit for a while thoughtful and expectlant and to follow the fortunes of liitle nell resbnming the thread of the narrative at the point where it was lelt some chapters back


i one of those randerings in the evening time when following the two sisters at an bumbledis tance shie felt in her sympathy with them and her recognition in their trials of something akin to her own lonehliness of spirit a comfort and consolation which made such moments a time of deep delight though the softened pleasure they yielded was of that kind which lives and dies in tearsin one of those wanderings at the quiet hour of twilight when sky and earth and air and rippling water and sound of distant bells claimed kindred with the emotions of the solitary child and inspired her with soothing thoughts but not of a childs world or its easy joys in one of those rambles which had now become her only pleasure or relief from care light had faded into darkness and evening deepened into night and still the young creature lingered in the gloom feeling a companionship in nature so serene and still when noise of tongues and glare of garish lights would have been solitude indeed


the sisters had gone home and she was alone


she raised her eyes to the bright stars looking down so mildly from the wide worlds of air and gazing on them found new stars burst upon her view and more beyond and more beyond again until the whole great expanse sparkled with shining spheres rising higher and higher in immeasurable space eternal in their numbers as in their changeless and incorruptible existence


sihe bent over tie calm river and saw them shining in the same majestic order as when the dove beheld them gleaming through the swollen waters upon the mountain tops down far below and dead mankind a million fathoms deep


tile child sat silently beneath a tree hushed in her very breath by the stillness of the night and all its attendant wonders


the time and place awoke reflection and she thought with a quiet hopeless hope perhaps than resignationon the past and present and what was yet before her


between the old man and herself there had come a gradual sepa ration harder to bear than any former sorrow


every evening and often in the daytime too he was absent alone and although she well knew where he went and whytoo well


from the constant drain upon her purse and from his hagaard lookshe evaded all inquiry maintained a strict reserve and even shunned her presence


she sat meditating sorrowfully upon this change and mingling it as it were with everything about her when the distant churchclock hell struck nine


rising at the sound she retracted her steps and turned thoughtfully towards the town


she had gained a little wooden bridge which thrown across the stream led into a meadow in her way when sile came suddenly upon a ruddy light and looking forward more attentively discerned that it proceeded from what appeared to be an encamp ment of gipsies who had made a fire in ane corner at no great distance from the path and were sitting or lying round it


as she was too poor to have any fear of them she did not alter her course which indeed she could not have done without going a long way round but quickened her pace a little and kept straight on


a movement of timid curiosity impelled her when she approached the spot to glance towards the fire


there was a form between it and her the outline strongly developed against the light which caused her to stop abruptly


then as if slhe had reasoned with herself and were assured that it could not be or had satisfied herself that it was not that of the person she had supposed she went on again


but at that instant the conversation whatever it was which had been carrying on near this fire was resumed and the tonesof the voice that spoke she could not distinguish words sounded as familiar to her as her own


she turned and looked back


the person had been seated before but was now in a standing pos ture and leaning forward upon a stick on which he rested both hands the attitude was no less familiar to her than the tone of voice had been it was her grandfather


her first impulse was to call to him her next to wonder who his associates could be and for what purpose they were together


some vague appre


hension succeeded and yielding to the strong inclination it awakened she drew nearer to the place not advancing across the open field how ever but creeping towards it by the hedge


in this way site advanced within a few feet of the fire and standing among a few young trees could both see and hear without much danger of being observed


there were no women or children as she had seen in other gipsy camps they had passed in their way faring and but one gipsy a tall athletic man who stood with his arms folded leaning against a tree a little distance off looking now at the fire and now under his black eyelashes at three other men who were there with a watchful but halfconcealed interest in their conversation


of these her grand father was one the others she recognised as the first cardplayers at the public house on the eventful night of trie stormthe man whom they had called isaac list and his gruff companion


one of the low arched gipsy tents common to that people was pitched hard by but it either was or appeared to be empty


well are you goingi said the stout man looking up from the ground where he was lying at his ease into her grandfathers face


you were in a mighty hurry a minute ago


go if you like


youre your own master hope dont vex him returned isaac list who was squatting like a frog on the other side of the fire and had so screwed himself up that he seemed to be squinting all over he didnt mean any offence


you keep me poor and plunder me and make a sport and jest of me besides said thie old man turning from one to the other


yell drive me mad among ye


ithe utter irresolution and feebleness of the grey haired child contrasted with the keen and cunning looks of those in whose hands he was tmote upon the little listeners heart


but she constrained her self to attend to all that passed and to note each look and word


cunfound you what do you mean said the stout man rising a little and supporting himself upon his elbow


keep you poorl


i youd keep us poor if you could wouldnt you


thats the way with you whising puny pitiful players


wisen you lose youre martyrs but i dont find that when you win you look upon the other losers in that light


as to plunder cried the fellow raising hiis voice daumme what do you mean by such ungentlemanly language as plunder elh


tlhe speaker laid himself down at full length and gave one or two short angry kicks as if in further expression of his unbounded indignation


it was quite plain that he acted thie bully and hiis friend the peacemaker for some particular purpose or rather it would have been to any one but the weak old man for they exlchanged glances quite openly both with each other and with the gipsy who grinned his approval of the jest until his white teeth shone again


the old man stood helplessly among them for a little time and then said turning to his assailant you yourself were speaking of plunder just now you know


dont be so violent with me


you were were you not


not of plundering among present company i honour amongamong gentlemen sir returned the other who seemed to have been very near giving an awkward termination to the sentence


dont be hard upon him jowl said isaac list hes very sorry for giving offence


thiere go on with what you were sayintg go on


im a jolly old tender hearted lamb i am cried mr jowl to be sitting here at my time of life giving advice when know it wont be taken and that i shall get nothing but abuse for my paint


but thats the way ive gone through life experience has never put a chill upon my warmheartednes


i tell you ises very sorry dont i remon strated isaac list and that he wishes you to go on


dees hie wish it said the other


ay groaned the old man sitting down and rocking hinmself to and fro


go on go on


its in vain to fight with it i cant do it go on


i go on then said jovwl tvlere i left off when you got utp so quick


if youre perauaded that it i lime for luck to turn as it certainly is atnd find that you havent means enough to try it and thats where it is for you know yourselfl that yu never have the funds to keep on lung enonlgh at a siltting hielp yourself to what seems put an yosr way on purpose


borrow it i say and when yourr able pay it back again


certainly isaac list struck in if this good lady as keeps the waxworks has money and does keep it in a tin box when sihe goes to bed and doesnt lock her door for fear of fire it seems a easy thing quite a providence i should call it but then ive been religiously brought up


you see isaac said his friend growing more eager and dawing himself closer to the old man while he signed to tihe gipsy not to comeo between them you see isaac strangdrs are going in and our every hour of the day nothing would be more likely than for one of these strangers to get under the good ladys bed or lock himself in the cup hoard suspicion would be very wide and would fall a long way from the mark no doubt


id gwve him his revenge to tihe last farthing le brought whatever the amount was


but could you urged isaac list


is your bank strong enough strong enough i answered tihe other wtth assumed disdain


here you sir give me that box out of the straw


this was addressed to the gipsy who crawled into the low tent on all fours and after some runt maging and rustling returned with a cash box which tihe man who had spoken opened with a key he wore about his person


i do you see this


he said gathering up the money in his hand and letting it drop back into th box between his fingers like water


do you hear it


do you know the sound of gold there put it back and dont talk about banks again isaac till youve got one of your own