The Splendid Spur

ne in drink, and afterward found this to be the case. I look'd round. Sir Deakin had pick'd

en to

e grand

er's face, that was white t

said, and then, "why, daughter

le the footstep

loud knock

" call'd

me to do the same. The door was thrust rudely open, and Captain Settle, his hat cock'd over one eye, and sham drunkenness in his gait, lurched

door was thrust rud

looking up, but rubbing the nutmeg calmly up and down the grat

, eyeing us, who look'd back at him without sayin

other's breathing. Sir Deakin set down the nutmeg, wiped his t

ce"-the old gentleman took a sip from the mixing ladle-"has had the extreme honor to be pronounced divine." He smack'

dacity: and seeing Sir Deakin taste the punch, he pull'd off his cap i

mix another bowl when this is finish'd." He stepped around the table to welcome them, still resting his hand on the lamp

yonder! And, Delia, fetch up some chairs f

e bright success of this comedy flash'd upon me. There was now no one between us and the stairs, and as for

chairs that stood against the wainscot by the door. As we did so,

rily, "and report to your

oil into the bowl. A great blaze leap'd to the ceiling. There was a howl-a scream of pain; and as I push'd Mistress Delia through the doorway and

t me, let his pursuer run on my sword, as on a spit. At the same instant, another blade pass

g with agony, had his palms press'd against his scorch'd eyelids. The fat landlord, in trying to beat out the flames, had increased them by upsetting two bott

. Between the flash and the report I felt a sudden scrape, as

, la-bas:" and he pointed down the staircase, where, by the glare of the conflagra

keep the door a

ugg'd his shoulde

-comm

of steel, and the landlord was wallowing on his face across the threshold. Jacques' teeth snapp'd together as

ng the rail of the staircase, reac

hand. His daughter took the other, and between us we

nd apron of the same hue. I saw she was incapable of helping, and

eshold. The girl and I bent our heads to it, and stumbling, tripp

he curtains had caught, and as we ran, a pennon of flame shot out over our heads, licking the thatch. In the glare of it the outbuildings and the yard gate stood clearl

: "my poor Jacques! Those dogs will m

n's cry, we heard the brave fellow's voice; and a famous shou

and outcries reach'd us. Without doubt the villains had overpower'd and slain this brave servant. In spite of our peril (for they wo

also to gain the wood that we saw dimly ahead. It reach'd to the top of the hill, and I knew not how far beyond: and as I was reflecting that

ereon our figures could be spied at once by anyone glancing into the field. Also, it grew evident that Sir Deakin's late agility was but a short and sudden triumph of will over body: for his poor crooked legs began to

heard it creak, and saw two or three dark forms enter the field-

"and to be butcher'd so, that never in his

keep this noise I must gag you." And

s we owe our lives. For one of the men, coming our way, pass'd within two

Gedges!" call'd a

light glittering on his blade. A narrow, light-hair'd man he was, with a

coil?" he

e-for the Lord's sake c

e was indeed afire, as I perceiv'd by standing on tiptoe and looking over the hedge; and second, that my knee was hurt by Black Dick's bu

the top of the field, led

it, but you must

cried

trail of blood behind me, so that when

trace the dark spots on the grass and earth besid

ear the screams of the poor horses. The light of the fla

ld our grati

sit on the stile, bound up my knee skillfully, twist

the deep carpet of pine needles. The ground rose steeply all the way: and all the

rd, I saw that the sky had grown thickly overcast. We cross'd

he sank down between our hands, and in a second was taken with that ha

roll'd about barking, so that I fear'd the sound would bring all Settle's gang on our heels. "I'm n

eath, and judg'd them very decent and properly spoken: and

, sitting up and staring, "for

ie, sir-to

ever such a dunderhead! If ever man were fit to die, I am he-and that's just my rea

my lack of comprehension, for

t beef, and drink b

y,

hate a fool and a fool's pity! Lift me up and carry me a step. This night's work has ki

with the girl. The place was well shelter'd from the wind that rock'd the treetops, and I fear'd to go much further, for we might come on open country at any moment and so double our peril. It seem'd best, therefore, to lay the old gentleman s

you to manage

ewing a couch for her beside her father: "and 'tis but fair

-coat for warmth. There was abundance of dry bracken in the dingle, and with this and some

sky through the pine tops, and listening to the sobbing of the wind. Now and then I would swing my arms for warmth,

and then another, like kisses on my forehead. I put up my hand, and looked up a

said, opening her eyes, and spying my

happening that will wipe out o

hat is

, 'tis fal

listen'd to her f

l him," she

ank'd me, and offer'd to relieve me in my watch: which I refus'd. A

k above it. Time after time, as I tramp'd to and fro, I paus'd to brush the fresh-forming heap from the sleepers' coverlet, and shake it gently fro

p watch for a time, while I went off to explore. She c

is'd, "and keep th

ll, I saw her moving about quickly, swinging her arms

as he had lain throughout the night. But the bracken had been toss'd aside, and the girl was kneeling over him. I drew near, my step not arousing her. Si