The Forge in the Forest

Little S

slit the thongs that bound my wrists. Then my feet felt themselves free. I sat up, astonished, and saw stooping over me the droll, broad face of Tamin the Fisher,-or Tamin Violet, as he was righ

my friend!" I panted, dragging hi

se wants to be back in the same trap I've just let it out of, you'd better keep still

g myself as best I could, for I p

lad talk up to the good father. There was more than one shot went home, I warrant, for

darted noiselessly through the cool of the gr

which was ever as lithe as a weasel's. Tamin was a rare woodsman, as I marked straightway, though I had known him of old

spoke, unde

to them they will all fall down. So, we will

" said I, "and learn their pl

ce they will carry the lad to de Ramezay, for the Black Abbé will have things in due form when he can conveniently, and

nd all the forest behind. The canoes lay just across the little water, and so close that I might have tossed my cap into them. The clean smell of the wet salt sedge came freshly into the thicket. The shadows lay long on the water. We had time to grow quiet, till our breathing was no longer hasty, our blood no longer thumped in our

dolently. The Black Abbé saw his prisoner made fast to a tree, and then, telling his followers that he had duties at Pereau which would k

ng pace for pace through the shadow of

Do you keep back, and not bring

h a derisive gesture. "I will take service wit

reach and pluck you forth. Keep bac

" urged Tamin, anxiously, "he

light stick of green ash, just cut. There was smooth, mossy ground along the trail, and my running feet made no more sound than a cat's. I was within

s but brief, and the result a matter to be sworn to beforehand; for I, though not of great stature, am stronger than any other man, big or little, with whom I have ever come to trial; and more than that, when I was a prisoner among the English, I learned their shrewd fashion of wr

lesson, good Fa

ngs, he conceived that his silence would be most eloquent. But I could see that my next mo

tongue after my departure. Therefore I must beseech you to wear this ornament, for

sunrise, if not before. Farewell, good Father, and may you rest well! Let me borrow this ring as a pledge for the safe return of the fragment of my good shirt w

ed, deep in

ive me the ring, M'sieu, a

id I, highly pleased at

back to the canoes, and o

his point, as I knew, lay the little creek-mouth wherein Tamin kept his boat. Beyond the point, perchance a furlong, was a narrow sand-spit covered deep at every flood tide. In a thicket of fir bushes on

Tamin to them running in haste along the trail from Pereau, as one who carried orders of importance.

eturn here to await the Abbé's coming. You shall do no hurt to the spy, and set no mark upon him. When the tide next ebbs you will go again to the sand-spit and bring his body back; and if the Abbé finds any mark upon him,

doubtfully. After a brief contempla

you no l

, in warranty; and you shall gi

ral tongue. Tamin repeated his message word by word, then strode away; and before he got out of s

e him glad. It wanted yet three hours or more till the tide should cover the sand-spit. I lay very still among the young fir trees, so that a wood-mouse ran within an arm's length of my face, till it caught the moving of my eyes and scurried off with a frighte

tied

seen me coming. Nevertheless he gave no sign, and I could see that his head drooped forward upon his breast. An awful fear came down upon me, and for a second or two I was like to sink, so numb I turned at the thought that perchance the savages had put the knife t

, I felt the groun

ed softly, "I'

ed head w

f sudden and appalling peril. Now the long tension was loosed. He was alone with me. As I sprang to him and cut the thongs that held him, one arm went about my neck and I was held very close fo