The Splendid Spur

gain when the time comes to sit at home and write down his adventures. 'Tis her revenge, as I am extremely sensible: a

nd a great company of lords and gentlemen, horse and foot, came marching back to us from Reading. I was a scholar of Trinity College in Oxford at that time, and

the show," thought I as I looked about me; and finding an easy cushion in the window, sat down to await him. Where presently, being tired out (for

as natural), and was stretching out a hand to pull the window c

ll, with a broad sycamore growing against it. 'Twas already twilight; and in the dark'ning house, over the green, was now one casement brightly lit, the curtains undrawn, and within a company of noisy drinkers round a table. They were gaming, as was easily t

hese were strewn thick over the green, and nothing left but stiff, naked boughs. Beneath it lay a crack'd bowl or two on the ra

tentively, but with a sharp look, now and then, toward the lighted window, as if the revellers disturb'd him. His back was partly turn'd to me; and what with this and the growing dusk, I could but make a guess at his face: but a plenty of silver hair fe

ching him. By this, 'twas near dark, bitter cold, and his pretence to read mere fondness: yet he persev

ks like a girl's. It made me admire to see him in this ring of purple, villainous faces. 'Twas evident he was a young gentleman of quality, as well by his bearing as his handsome cloak of amber satin

ushes it open for fresh air. He was one that till now had sat in full view-a tall bully, with a gross pimpled nose; and led the catches in a bul

him risen from his bench and stealing across to the house opposite. I say "stealing," for he kept all the way to the darker shadow

beneath the window he s

is

yone in the bowling-green at that hour. Indeed he had been watching the shaft of light thrown

er the window, as if to av

e, and beckons

in the room would hear him if he spoke), and so for a while the two m

turning back into the lighted room, walks up to one

light should betray me, and presently (as I was expecting) heard the latch of the back

sdropper. That I did so now I can never be glad enough, but 'tis true, nevertheless, my conscience pricked me; and I was e

take a dozen steps when it opened again with a scuffle, and the large house dog bel

e that follow'd I could barely see, but I heard the horrible sounds of it-the hard, short breathing of the man, the hoarse rage working in the dog's t

'twere my own throat thus gripp'd-when the end

of his fingers; then came a moment's dead silence, then a hideous

d, dragged him across the grass under my window. By the sycamore he halted, but only to shift his hands a little; a

a break; and all this while the man with the white hair had rested quietly on one side, watching. But now he steps up to where the bul

l," says he, in a thin voice that seemed

mopping to get a

rd on the poor cur, that had neve

m after the mastiff, so fiercely he turn'd at the sound of this name.

e. If another titl

led the bully, and had half a mind to com

tion names; and therefore let me present myself as Mr. Z. The re

man hoarsely (but whether this was hi

'Mr. X.' I

ad on one side, laid the forefinger of his right

that dog a minute ag

in," answers the fe

e done it for

or hal

t had been a

he dusk. But as the old gentleman paused to let his question sink in, and the bully to c

olly-lolly! a l

civil, and of

y-lolly! Good-m

inished

r worship, we c

forefinger again, as if beseeching silence, the o

e died away; "pretty boys! 'Tis eas

e of my p

u've picked a feather or two befo

time you crack one of your death's-head jokes, over

to be made by doing no such thing. And I don't carry it all ab

med. Presently I heard an oath rapped out and saw the bully start up. "Hush, man!" cried the other, and "hark-ye now-"; so he sat down again. Their very forms were lost within the shadow. I, myself, was cold enough by this time and had

re's all you can win of this young fool, Anthony,

urned soon, and came back again.

know what game you'

tly. "I'll be shot if

the haycock shade-a," &c., &c., and cursing to find his fire gone out, and all in darkness. Liquor was ever his master, and to-day the King's health had been a fair excuse. He did not spy me, b