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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofTheSuprisingAdventuresofSirToadyLionWithThoseofGeneralNapoleonSmith,byS.R.Crockett

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org/license

Title:TheSuprisingAdventuresofSirToadyLionWithThoseofGeneralNapoleonSmith

Author:S.R.Crockett

Illustrator:GordonBrownie

ReleaseDate:April1,2012[EBook#39340]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKSIRTOADYLION***

ProducedbyDavidEdwards,MatthewWheatonandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net(ThisfilewasproducedfromimagesgenerouslymadeavailablebyTheInternetArchive)

SirToadyLion

[Illustration:"ASTHEHIGHLANDERSHADCLUNGTOTHECAVALRYSTIRRUPSATBALACLAVA."]

THESURPRISINGADVENTURESOFSIRTOADYLIONWITHTHOSEOFGENERALNAPOLEONSMITHANIMPROVINGHISTORYFOROLDBOYS,YOUNGBOYS,GOODBOYS,BADBOYS,

BIGBOYS,LITTLEBOYS,COWBOYS,ANDTOM-BOYS

BY

S.R.CROCKETT

AUTHORof"SWEETHEARTTRAVELLERS","THERAIDERS",&c.

ILLUSTRATEDBYGORDONBROWNENEWYORK

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FREDERICKA.STOKESCOMPANY

Copyright,1897byFrederickA.StokesCompany

[Illustration:TOOGOODBOYSNOTALLOWEDTOREADTHISBOOKBYORDERFIELDMARSHALNAPOLEONSMITH]

CONTENTS

I.PRISSY,HUGHJOHN,ANDSIRTOADYLION,II.THEGOSPELOFDASHT-MEAN,III.HOWHUGHJOHNBECAMEGENERALNAPOLEON,IV.CASTLEPERILOUS,V.THEDECLARATIONOFWAR,VI.FIRSTBLOOD,

VII.THEPOORWOUNDEDHUSSAR,VIII.THEFAMILIARSPIRIT,IX.PUTTOTHEQUESTION,X.ASCOUTINGADVENTURE,XI.ENEMY'SCOUNTRY,XII.MOBILISATION,XIII.THEARMYOFWINDYSTANDARD,XIV.THEBATTLEOFTHEBLACKSHEDS,XV.TOADYLIONPLAYSAFIRSTLONEHAND,XVI.THESMOUTCHYBOYS,XVII.BEFORETHEINQUISITION,XVIII.THECASTLEDUNGEON,XIX.THEDROPOFWATER,

XX.THESECRETPASSAGE,XXI.THERETURNFROMTHEBASTILE,XXII.MUTINYINTHECAMP,XXIII.CISSYCARTER,BOYS'GIRL,XXIV.CHARITYBEGINSATHOME--ANDENDSTHERE,XXV.LOVE'S(VERY)YOUNGDREAM,XXVI.ANIMPERIALBIRTHDAY,XXVII.THEBANTAMCHICKENS,XXVIII.THEGIPSYCAMP,XXIX.TOADYLION'SLITTLEWAYS,XXX.SAINTPRISSY,PEACEMAKER,XXXI.PRISSY'SPICNIC,XXXII.PLANOFCAMPAIGN,

XXXIII.TOADYLION'SSECONDLONEHAND,XXXIV.THECROWNINGMERCY,XXXV.PRISSY'SCOMPROMISE,XXXVI.HUGHJOHN'SWAY-GOING,XXXVII.THEGOODCONDUCTPRIZE,XXXVIII.HUGHJOHN'SBLIGHTEDHEART,XXXIX."GIRLSAREFUNNYTHINGS,"

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ILLUSTRATIONS

"ASTHEHIGHLANDERSHADCLUNGTOTHECAVALRYSTIRRUPSATBALACLAVA,"SIRTOADYLION,HUGHJOHNHADASISTER,THEHIGHWAYLIESDESERTED,MR.DICKTURPIN,LATEOFYORKANDTYBURN,HESTOODONTHEROADSIDE,ITCOULDNOTHAVEBEENBETTERDONEFORAFIELD-MARSHAL,CASTLEPERILOUS,ATTHEENDOFTHESTEPPING-STONES,JANETSHEEPSHANKSAWAITEDTHISSORRYPROCESSIONWITHAGRIMTIGHTENINGOFTHELIPS,"ICOULDN'THELPGETTINGBEATEN,"SUCCESSOFTENBREDENVY,SAMBO,AFEARFULBLACKCOUNTENANCENODDEDATHIM,HUGHJOHNTOOKHISWAYDOWNTHEAVENUE,"WAITTILLTHENEXTTIME,"HEWASOBLIGEDTOCLIMBATREE,HUGHJOHNTUGGEDHERHAIR,DEPOSITEDGENERAL-FIELD-MARSHALSMITHINTHEHORSE-POND,

GENERALSOFDIVISION,EQUALINRANK,THEARMYWASFINALLYMUSTERED,THEBLACKSHEDS,THEBATTLEOFTHEBLACKSHEDS,CAUTIOUSLYHERETURNEDTHROUGHTHEHEDGE,"OH,THEBONNIELADDIE!""SURRENDER!"CRIEDNIPPERDONNAN,THEHEADSMOUTCHY,"GOTYOUATLAST!""WILLYESAYNOWTHATTHECASTLEISYOURFATHER'S?""BUTIWON'TCRY--EVENTOMYSELF,"HEBENTTHEWEIGHTOFHISBODYTHISWAYANDTHAT,THEPININGCAPTIVE,

THESECRETPASSAGE,HESAWASTRETCHOFRIPPLEDRIVER,HEFLOUNDEREDTHROUGH,"ICREATEYOUGENERALOFTHECOMM'SARIAT,""DON'TYOUSPEAKAGAINSTMYFATHER,"SAMMYCARTERMUTINOUS,"ONE,TWO,THREE--ANDATIGER,""LOOKATHIM,MADAM,"SAIDMRS.BAKER,TOADYLIONSATPLUMPDOWN,"LETMELOOKATHIM,"SHESAID,LOVE'SYOUNGDREAM,"HITHARD,BRAVESOLDIER,""WASN'TITSPLENDID?"

TOADYLIONPREFERREDTOSLEEPINTHEMOSTCURIOUSPOSITIONS,BANTAMCHICKENS,THEGIPSIES'WOOD,SHECARRIEDABACKLOADOFTINWARE,THEOLDESTIMPLEMENTSINVENTEDFORTHEPURPOSE,SHEWENTONHERWAY,"OH,PLEASEDON'T,SIR!"WELCOMEDBYTHEENEMY,THERETURNOFTHETWOSWIFTFOOTMEN,HYDRAULICPRESSURE,

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THEPLANOFCAMPAIGN,TROTTINGSTEADILYTHROUGHTHETOWN,THEBOUNDINGBROTHERS,THELIVINGCHAIN,SIXPENCEFORADMISSION,"THEN,"SAIDPRISSY,"ITHINKITCANBEMANAGED,"TOADYLIONSTOODLOOKINGON,ASLIMBUNDLEOFLIMPWOE,THEGOODCONDUCTPRIZE,"SMELLTHAT,"ABLIGHTEDBEING,HESPRANGOVERTHESTILE,"ITLOOKSLIKEHALFOFASIXPENCEWHICHSOMEBODYHASSTEPPEDUPON.HOWQUAINT!"ASIFHERHEARTWERELIGHTWITHINHER,

SirToadyLion.

CHAPTERI.

PRISSY,HUGHJOHN,ANDSIRTOADYLION.

Itisalwaysdifficulttobegreat,butitisspeciallydifficultwhengreatnessisthrustuponone,asitwere,alongwiththeadditionalburdenofadistinguishedhistoricalname.ThiswasthecasewithGeneralNapoleonSmith.Yetwhenthisstoryopenshewasnotageneral.Thatcamelater,alongwiththecaresofempireandthemanagementofgreatcampaigns.

ButalreadyinsecrethewasNapoleonSmith,thoughhisnurse

sometimesstillreferredtohimasJohnnie,andhisfather--butstay.Iwillrevealtoyouthesecretofoursoldier'sliferightatthestart.ThoughaNapoleon,ourherowasnoBuonaparte.No,hisnamewasSmith--plainSmith;hisfatherwastheowneroffourlargefarmsandagoodmanysmallerones,nearthatcelebratedBorderwhichseparatesthetwohostilecountriesofEnglandandScotland.NeighboursreferredtotheGeneral'sfathereasilyas"PictonSmithofWindyStandard,"fromthesoughing,mist-nursingmountainofheatherandfir-treeswhichgaveitsnametotheestate,andtothelargefarmhehadcultivatedhimselfeversincethedeathofhiswife,chieflyasameansofdistractinghismind,andkeepingatadistancelonelinessandsadthoughts.

HughJohnSmithhadnevermentionedthefactofhisImperialdescenttohisfather,butinamomentofconfidencehehadtoldhisoldnurse,whosmiledwithaworld-wearywisdom,whichbetrayedherknowledgeofthesecretsofcourts--andsaidthatdoubtlessitwasso.Hehadalsoabrotherandsister,buttheywerenot,atthattime,oftheraceoftheCorporalofAjaccio.Onthecontrary,ArthurGeorge,theyounger,agedfive,wasanengine-driver.Therewasyetanotherwhorodeinamail-cart,andpuckereduphisfaceuponbeingaddressedinastrangeforeignlanguage,as"Was-it-then?Adarling--goo-goo--thenitwas!"Thiscreature,however,wasnotowned

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asabrotherbyHughJohnandArthurGeorge,andindeedmayatthispointbedismissedfromthestory.Theformerwentsofarasstoutlytodenyhisbrother'ssex,inthefaceofsuchproofsasweredailyaffordedbyBaby'stendencytoslaphissister'sfacewherevertheymet,andalsotoseizethingsandthrowthemonthefloorforthepleasureofseeingthembreak.ArthurGeorge,however,hadsecrethopesthatBabywouldevenyetturnoutasatisfactoryboywheneverhesawhimkillingfliesonthewindow,andontheseoccasionshoundedhimontoyetdeadlierexertions.Buthedarednotmentionhisanticipationstohissoldierbrother,thathaughtyscionofanImperialrace.Forreasonsafterwardstobegiven,ArthurGeorgewasusuallyknownasToadyLion.

ThenHughJohnhadasister.HernamewasPriscilla.Priscillawasdistinguishedalso,thoughnotinamilitarysense.Shewasliterary,andwrotebooks"onthesly,"asHughJohnsaid.Heconsideredthissecrecytheonlyrespectablepartofaveryshadybusiness.SpeciallyheobjectedtobeingmadetoserveastheheroofPriscilla'stales,andwentsofarastopromiseto"thump"hissisterifhecaughtherintroducinghimasofanymilitaryrankunderthatofeithergeneralorcolour-sergeant.

"Lookhere,Pris,"hesaidononeoccasion,"ifyouputmeintoyourbeastlygirlbooksallaboutdollsandloveandtrumpery,I'llbatyou

overtheheadwithawicket!"

"Hum--Idaresay,ifyoucouldcatchme,"saidPriscilla,withhernoseverymuchintheair.

"Catchyou!I'llcatchandbatyounowifyousaymuch."

"Much,much!Can't,can't!There!'Fraidcat!Um-m-um!"

"ByJove,then,Ijustwill!"

Itissadtobeobligedtostatehere,intheverybeginningoftheseveraciouschronicles,thatatthistimePrissyandNapoleonSmithwere

bynomeansmodelchildren,thoughPrissyafterwardsmarvellouslyimproved.Eventheirbestfriendsadmittedasmuch,andasfortheirenemies--well,theiroldgardener'sremarkswhentheychasedeachotheroverhisnewlyplantedbedswouldbeoutofplaceeveninamilitaryperiodical,andmightbethemeansofpreventingabookwithMr.GordonBrowne'snicepicturesfrombeingincludedinsomewell-conductedSunday-schoollibraries.

GeneralNapoleonSmithcouldnotcatchPriscilla(as,indeed,hewellknewbeforehestarted),especiallywhenshepickedupherskirtsandwentrightathedgesandditcheslikeayoungcolt.NapoleonlookeduponthistraitinPrissy'scharacterasdegradingandunsportsmanlikeintheextreme.Heregardedlongskirts,streaminghair,andflapping,

aggravatingpinaforesasthenaturalhandicapofgirlsintheraceoflife,andasparticularlyusefulwhenthey"cheeked"theirbrothers.Itwasthereforewickedtoneutralisetheseequalisingdisadvantagesbystringstiedroundabovetheknees,orbythestillmorescientificdeviceofasashsuspendedfromthebeltbefore,passedbetweenPrissy'slegs,andattachedtothebeltbehind.

But,then,asNapoleonadmittedevenattenyearsofage,girlsarecapableofanything;andtohisdyingdayhehasneverhadanyreasontochangehisopinion--atleast,sofarashehasyetgot.

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*****

"Allright,then,Iwilllistentoyouroldstuffifyouwillsayyouaresorry,andpromisetobemyhorse,andletmelickyouforanhourafterwards--besidesgivingmeapenny."

ItwasthusthatPriscilla,towhominaftertimesgreatlightsofcriticismlistenedwithapproval,wascompelledtostooptoartificeandbriberyinordertosecureandholdherfirstaudience.Whereupontheauthoresstookpaperfromherpocket,andasshedidso,heldthemanuscriptwithitsbacktoNapoleonSmith,inordertoconcealthesuspiciousshortnessofthelines.Butthatgreatsoldierinstantlydetectedthesubterfuge.

"It'sapennymoreforlisteningtopoetry!"hesaid,withsuddenalacrity.

"Iknowitis,"repliedPrissysadly,"butyoumightbeniceaboutitjustthisonce.I'mdreadfully,dreadfullypoorthisweek,HughJohn!"

"SoamI,"retortedNapoleonSmithsternly;"ifIwasn't,doyouthinkIwouldlistenatalltoyourbeastlyoldpoetry?Driveon!"

Thusencouraged,Priscillameeklybegan--

"_Myloveheisasoldierbold,Andmyloveisaknight;Hegirdshiminacoatofmail,Whenhegoesforthtofight._"

"That'snotquitesobadasusual,"saidNapoleoncondescendingly,toyingmeanwhilewiththelashofanolddog-whiphehadjust"boned"outoftheharness-room.Priscillabeamedgratefullyuponhercritic,andproceeded--

"_Herideshimforthacrossthesand_----"

"Whorideswhom?"criedNapoleon."Didn'tthefoolrideahorse?"

"Itmeanshimself,"saidPriscillameekly.

"Thenwhydoesn't_it_sayso?"criedthecritictriumphantly,tappinghisbootwiththe"boned"dog-whipjustlikeanyordinarylordofcreationinpresenceofhisinferiors.

"It'spoetry,"explainedPriscillatimidly.

"It'ssilly!"retortedNapoleon,judiciallyandfinally.

Priscillaresumedherreadinginalowerandmorehurriedtone.Sheknewthatshewasskatingoverthinice.

"_Herideshimforthacrossthesand,Uponastealthysteed._"

"Youmean'stately,'youknow,"interruptedNapoleon--somewhatrudely,Priscillathought.Yethewasquitewithinhisrights,forPriscillahadnotyetlearnedthatacriticalwaysknowswhatyoumeantosaymuchbetterthanyoudoyourself.

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"No,Idon'tmean'stately,'"saidPriscilla,"Imean'stealthy,'thewayahorsegoesonsand.Yougoandgalloponthesea-shoreandyou'llfindout."

"Ishan't.Ihaven'tgotanysea-shore,"saidNapoleon."Butdohurry.I'velistenedquiteapennyworthnow."

"_Herideshimforthacrossthesand,Uponastealthysteed,Andwhenhesailsuponthesea,Heplaysuponareed!_"

"Greatsoft_he_was,"criedNapoleonSmith;"andifeverIhearyousaythatIdidsuchathing----"

Priscillahurriedonmorequicklythanever.

"_Inalltheworldthere'snonecandoThedeedsthathehathdone:Whenhehathslainhisenemies,Thenhecomesbackalone._"

"That'sbetter!"saidNapoleon,noddingencouragement."Atanyrateit

isn'tlong.Now,givememypenny."

"Shan't,"saidPriscilla,theprideofsuccessfulachievementswellinginherbreast;"besides,itisn'tSaturdayyet,andyou'veonlylistenedtothreeversesanyway.Youwillhavetolistentoeversomuchmorethanthatbeforeyougetapenny."

"HughJohn!Priscilla!"cameavoicefromadistance.

ThegreatsoldierNapoleonSmithinstantlyeffectedaretreatinmasterlyfashionbehindagooseberrybush.

"There'sJanecallingus,"saidPriscilla;"shewantsustogoinand

bewashedfordinner."

"Courseshedoes,"sneeredNapoleon;"thinkshe'soutscreechinglikethatforfun?Well,lether.IamnotgoingintobetowelledtillI'malloverredandscurfy,andgetnoendofsoapinmyeyes."

"ButJanewantsyou;she'llbe_so_crossifyoudon'tcome."

"_I_don'tcareforJane,"saidNapoleonSmithwithdignity,butallthesamemakinghimselfassmallaspossiblebehindhisgooseberrybush.

"Butifyoudon'tcomein,Janewilltellfather----"

"_I_don'tcareforfather--"thepronebutgallantGeneralwasproceedingtodeclareinthefaceofPriscilla'shorrifiedprotestationsthathemustn'tspeakso,whenaslowheavystepwasheardontheothersideofthehedge,andadeepvoiceutteredthesinglesyllable,"_John!_"

"Yes,father,"ameekyoungmanstandingupbehindthegooseberrybushinstantlyreplied:hewastryingtobrushhimselfascleanascircumstanceswouldpermit."Yes,father;wereyoucallingme,

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father?"

Incredibleasitseems,themeekandapologeticwordswerethoseofthatboldenemyoftyrants,GeneralNapoleonSmith.

PriscillasmiledattheGeneralasheemergedfromthehandsofJane,"redandscurfy,"justashehadsaid.Shesmiledmeaninglyandaggravatingly,sothatNapoleonwasreducedtoshakinghisclenchedfistcovertlyather.

"WaittillIgetyouout,"hesaid,usingthephrasetime-honouredbysuchoccasions.

PriscillaSmithonlysmiledmoremeaninglystill."Firstcatchyourhare!"shesaidunderherbreath.

NapoleonSmithstalkedintolunch,thechildren'sdinneratthehouseofWindyStandard,withanexpressionoffixedandByronicgloomonhisface,whichwasonlylightenedbythesightofhisfavouritepigeon-pie(withalovelycrust)standingontheside-board.

"Saygrace,HughJohn,"commandedhisfather.

AndGeneralNapoleonSmithsaidgracewithallthesweetinnocenceof

abuddingangelsinginginthecherubchoir,aimingatthesametimeakickathissisterunderneaththetable,whichoverturnedafootstoolanddamagedthelegofachair.

CHAPTERII.

THEGOSPELOFDASHT-MEAN.

ItwasonthedayprecedingagreatreviewneartheBordertownof

Edam,thatHughJohnPictonSmithfirstbecameasoldierandaNapoleon.Hisfather'shousewasconnectedbyashortavenuewithagreatmainroadalongwhichkingandbeggarhadforathousandyearsgonepostingtotown.Nowtheoncecelebratedhighwayliesdeserted,foralongtheheightstotheeastruncertainbarsofmetal,shiningandparallel,overwhichrushallwhocanpaythecostofathird-classticket--aroarlikethunderprecedingthem,whitesteamandsulphurousreekwreathingafterthem.Thegreathighwaybeneathisabandonedtotheharmlessimpecuniousbicyclist,andontheNorthRoadthesweepingclouddusthasitallitsownway.

ButHughJohnlovedthegreatthoroughfare,desertedthoughitwas.Tohismindtherecouldbenolonelinessuponitseye-takingstretches,

forwhoknewbutoutofthedusttheremightcomewithaclatterMr.DickTurpin,lateofYorkandTyburn;RoberttheBruce,chargingsouthintoEnglandwithhisGallowaygarrons,toobtainsomefreshEnglishbeefwherewithaltofeedhisscurvyScots;or(bestofall)hisMajestyKingGeorge'smail-coachHighflyer,thepictureofwhich,colouredandblazoned,hunginhisfather'sworkroom.

Peopletoldhimthatallthesegreatfolkswerelongsincedead.ButHughJohnknewbetterthantobelieveany"rot"grown-upsmightchoosetopalmoffonhim.Whatdidgrown-upsknowanyway?Theywererich,of

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course.Unlimitedshillingswereattheircommand;andasforpennies--well,allthepenniesintheworldlivedintheirbreeches'pockets.Butwhatusedidtheymakeofthesegod-likegifts?Didyouevermeetthematthetuck-shopdowninthetownbuyingfourteencheese-cakesforashilling,asanysensiblepersonwould?Didtheyplaywith"real-realtrains,"drawnbylocomotivesofshiningbrass?No!theypreferredeitheronelumpofsugarornoneatallintheirtea.Thisshowedhowmuchtheyknewaboutwhatwasgoodforthem.

SoifsuchpersonsinformedhimthatRoberttheBrucehadbeendeadsometime,orshowedhimtheropewithwhichTurpinwashung,coiledonapedestalinahorriddullmuseum(freeonSaturdays,10to4),HughJohnPictonlookedandnodded,forhewasanintelligentboy.Ifyoudidn'tnodsometimesasifyouweretakingitallin,theywouldexplainitalloveragaintoyou--withabominabledatesandadditionalparticulars,whichtheywouldevenaskyouafterwardsifyouremembered.

[Illustration:"MR.DICKTURPIN,LATEOFYORKANDTYBURN."]

FormanyyearsHughJohnhadgoneeverydaydowntotheporter'slodgeattheendoftheavenue,andthougholdBettytherheumatickywarderwasnotallowedtolethimout,hestaredhappilyenoughthroughthebars.Itwasawhitegateofstrongwood,lovelytoswingonifyou

happenedtobetherewhenitwasopenedforacarriagefulofcalling-folkintheafternoon,orforHughJohn'sfatherwhenhewentouta-riding.

Butyouhadtohideprettyquickbehindthelaurels,andrushoutinthatstrictlylimitedperiodbeforeoldBettyfoundherkey,andyetafterthetailofAgincourt,hisfather'sgreatgreyhorse,hadswitchedroundthecorner.Ifyouweretheleastlate,Bettywouldgetaheadofyou,andthegatesofParadisewouldbeshut.Ifyouwereamomenttoosoon,itwasjustasbad--orevenworse.Forthenthevoiceof"He-whom-it-was-decidedly-most-healthy-to-obey"wouldsounduptheroad,commandinginstantreturntotheSandheaportheHighGarden.

SoontheseoccasionsHughJohnmostlybroughtSirToadyLionwithhim--otherwiseArthurGeorgetheSturdy,andatyetothertimesvariouslydenominatedPrinceMurat,theOldGuard,themobthatwasscatteredwiththewhiffofgrapeshot,and(generally)thewholeGrandArmyoftheFirstEmpire.ToadyLion(hisownfirsteffortatthenameofhisfavouriteheroRichardCoeur-de-Lion)hadhisorders,andwithguileandblandishmentsheldBettyinchecktillthelastfriskofAgincourt'stailhaddisappearedroundthecorner.ThenHughJohndevelopedhisplansofassault,andwassoonswingingonthegate.

"Outofthewaywithyou,Betty,"hewouldcry,"oryouwillgethurt--sure."

Forthewhitegateshutofitself,andyouhadonlytopushitopen,jumpon,checkitattheproperplaceonthereturnjourney,andwithyourfootshoveoffagaintohavescoresandscoresoflovelyswings.ThenBettywouldgouptheavenueandshoutforherhusband,whowastheaforesaidcrustyoldgardener.ShewouldhavelaiddownherlifeforToadyLion,butbynomeansevenapartofitforHughJohn,whichwasunfair.OldBettyhadoncebeenupsetbytheslamofthegateonawindyday,andsowaseasilyintimidatedbytheshoutsofthehorsemanandtheappallingmotionofhiswhitefive-barredcharger.

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Suchbliss,however,wastransient,andmighthavetobeexpiatedinvariousways--atbestwithaslapfromthehandofBetty(whichwasasgoodasnothingatall),atworst,byavisittofather'sworkroom--whichcouldnotbethoughtuponwithoutacertainsenseofsolemnity,asifSundayhadturneduponcetooofteninthemiddleoftheweek.

ButuponthisgreatdayofwhichIhavetotell,HughJohnhadbeenhonourablydiggingallthemorninginthesand-hole.Hehadonhisredcoat,whichwashismostsecretpride,andhewasdevisingastillmoreelaboratesystemoffortification.Bastionandtrench,scarpandcounter-scarp,lunetteandravelenta(agoodword),HughJohnhadmadethemall,andhewasnowbesieginghisowncreationwiththelatestthinginartillery,calling"Boom!"whenhefiredoffhiscannon,and"Bang-whack!"asoftenastheprojectilehitthewallandbroughtdownafootofthenoblefortification,latelysolaboriouslyconstructedandsotenderlypattedintoshape.

SuddenlytherecameasoundwhichalwaysmadetheheartofHughJohnbeatinhisside.Itwasthelowthrillingreverberationofthedrum.Hehadonlytimetodashforhiscap,whichhehadfilledwithsandandoldnailsinorderto"beabomb-shell";emptyit,putitonhishead,girdonhisLondonsword-with-the-gold-hilt,andfly.

Asherandowntheavenuetheshrillfifeskeptstinginghisearsandmakinghimfeelasifneedleswererunningupanddownhisback.ItwasatthispointthatHughJohnhadagreatstrugglewithhimself.PriscillaandToadyLionwereplayingat"House"and"Tea-parties"undertheweepingelmonthefrontlawn.Itwasadebasingtaste,certainly,butafterallbloodwasthickerthanwater.And--well,hecouldnotbearthattheyshouldmissthesoldiers.Butthen,ontheotherhand,ifhewentbackthetroopsmightbepastbeforehereachedthegate,andBetty,heknewwell,wouldnotlethimouttorunafterthem,andtheparkwallwashigh.

InthisdesperatestraitHughJohncalledalltheresourcesof

religiontohisaid.

"Itwould,"hesaid,"bedasht-meantogooffwithouttellingthem."

HughJohndidnotknowexactlywhat"dasht-mean"meant.ButhehadheardhiscousinFred(whowasgrownup,hadbeenayearatschool,andworeatallhatonSundays)tellhowallthefellowssaidthatitwasbettertodie-and-rotthantobe"dasht-mean";andalsohowthosewhoinspiteofwarningsprovedthemselves"dasht-mean"weresenttoaplacecalledCoventry--whichfromallaccountsseemedtobea"dasht-mean"locality.

SoHughJohnresolvedthathewouldnevergetsentthere,andwhenever

alittlethingtuggeddowninhisstomachandtoldhim"notto,"HughJohnsaid,"Hangit!Iwon'tbedasht-mean."--Andwasn't.

Grown-upscallthesethingsconscienceandreligion;butthisishowitfelttoHughJohn,anditansweredjustaswell--orevenbetter.

Sowhenthestingingsurgeofdistantpipessentthewildbloodcoursingthroughhisveins,andhefelthisfacegrowcoldandpricklyallover,NapoleonSmithstartedtorundowntheavenue.Hecouldnothelpit.Hemustseethesoldiersordie.Butallthesame_Tug-tug_

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wentthelittlestringremorselesslyinhisstomach.

"Imustseethem.Imust--Imust!"hecried,arguingwithhimselfandtryingtodrowntheinnervoice.

"_Tug-tug-tug!_"wentthestring,worsethanthatwhichheonceputroundhistoeandhungoutofthewindow,forTomCannontheunder-keepertowakehimwithatfiveinthemorningtogorabbit-ferreting.

HughJohnturnedtowardsthehouseandtheweepingelm.

"It'sabloomingshame,"hesaid,"andtheywon'tcareanyway.ButI _can't_bedasht-mean!"

Andsoheranwithallhismightbacktotheweepingelm,andwithawarningcrysetPrissyandSirToadyLiononthealert.Thenwithanxioustumultuousheart,andlegsalmostasinvisibleasthetwinklingspokesofabicycle,soquicklydidtheypassoneanother,HughJohnfairlyflunghimselfinthedirectionoftheWhiteGate.

CHAPTERIII.

HOWHUGHJOHNBECAMEGENERALNAPOLEON.

EvendullBettyhadheardthemusic.TheWhiteGatewasopen,andwithawildcryHughJohnsprangthrough.Bettyhadasoninthearmy,andherdeafoldearswerequickenedbythefifeanddrum.

"Comeback,MasterHugh!"shecried,ashepassedthroughandstoodontheroadside,justastheheadofthecolumn,marchingeasily,turnedthecorneroftheWhiteRoadandcamedancingandundulatingtowardshim.HughJohn'sheartdancedalso.Itwasstillgoingfastwith

runningsofar;butatsightofthesoldiersittookanewmovement,justlikelittlewavesonalakewhentheyjabbleinthewind,soniceandfunnywhenyoufeelit--ticklytoo--downatthebottomofyourthroat.

Thefirstwhocameweresoldiersinadarkuniformwithverystern,beardedofficers,whoattendedfinelytodiscipline,fortheywereabouttoenterthelittletownofEdam,whichlayjustbelowthewhitegatesofWindyStandard.

SointentlytheymarchedthatnoonecastaglanceatHughJohnstandingwithhisdrawnsword,givingthesalutewhichhisfriendSergeantSteelhadtaughthimaseachcompanypassed.NotthatHugh

Johncared,orevenknewthattheydidnotseehim.TheywerethecrackvolunteerregimentoftheGreyCitybeyondthehills,andtheirstandardofefficiencywassomethingtremendous.

Thencamered-coatscrownedwithhelmets,red-coatstippedwithGlengarrybonnets,andoneortwobrassbandsofscatteringvolunteerregiments.HughJohnsalutedthemall.Noonepaidtheleastattentiontohim.Hedidnotindeedexpectanyonetonoticehim--asmalldustyboywithaswordtoobigforhimstandingattheendoftheroadundertheshadowoftheelms.Whyshouldthesegloriouscreationsdeignto

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noticehim--shiningblades,shoulderedarms,flashingbayonets,whitepipe-clayedbelts?Weretheynotasgods,knowinggoodandevil?

Butallthesamehesalutedeveryoneofthemimpartiallyastheycame,andtheregimentsswungpastunregarding,dust-choked,andthirsty.

Thenatlastcamethepipesandthewavingtartans.SomethingcrackedinHughJohn'sthroat,andhegavealittlecry,sothathisoldnurse,JanetSheepshanks,anxiousforhiswelfare,cametotakehimaway.Buthestruckather--hisowndearJanet--andfledfromhergrasptotheothersideoftheroad,wherehewasbothsaferandnearertothesoldiers.Swingingstep,wavingplumes,allinrevieworderoncamethefamousregiment,everymansteppingoutwithatrainedelasticitywhichwenttotheboy'sheart.ThusandnototherwisetheBlackWatchfollowedtheirpipers.HughJohngavealongsighwhentheyhadpassed,andthepipesdulleddowntheduskyglade.

Thencamemorevolunteers,andyetmoreandmore.Wouldtheyneverend?AndevertheswordofHughJohnPictonflashedtothesalute,andhissmallarmwaxedwearyasitroseandfell.

Thenhappenedthemostastonishingthingintheworld,thegreatesteventofHughJohn'slife.Fortherecametohisearanewsound,the

clatterofcavalryhoofs.Abuglerangout,andHughJohn'seyeswatchedwithstrainingeagernessthewhitedustriseandswirlbehindthecolumns.Perhaps--whoknows?--thiswashisrewardfornotbeingdasht-mean!ButnowHughJohnhadforgottenPrissyandToadyLion,fatherandnursealike,heaven,earth--andeverythingelse.Therewasnopastforhim.Hewasthesoldierofalltime.Hisdustyredcoatandhisflashingswordwerethesaluteoftheuniversalspiritofmantothegodofwar--alsootherfinethingsofwhichIhavenotimetowrite.

Forthenoblegreyhorses,whosepredecessorsNapoleonhadwatchedsowistfullyatWaterloo,cametramplingalong,tossingtheirheadswithanobvioussenseoftheirownworthasaspectacle.HughJohnpaled

tothelipsatsightofthem,butdrewhimselfmoreerectthanever.Hehadseenfoot-soldiersandvolunteersbefore,butneveranythinglikethis.

Ontheycame,afineyoungfellowleadingthem,sittingcarelesslyonthenoblestchargerofall.Perhapshewaskindlybynature.Perhapshehadaletterfromhissweetheartinhisbreastpocket.Perhaps--butitdoesnotmatter,atanyratehewasyoungandhappy,ashesaterect,leadingthe"finesttroopinthefinestregimentintheworld."Hesawthesmalldustyboyintheredcoatundertheelm-trees.Hemarkedhispaletwitchingface,hisflashingeye,hiserectcarriage,hissoldierlyport.ThefateofHughJohnstoodontiptoe.Hehadneverseenanybeingsogloriousasthis.Hecouldscarcecommand

himselftosalute.Butthoughhetrembledineverylimb,andhisunderlip"wickered"strangely,thehandwhichheldtheswordwassteady,andwentthroughthebeautifulmovementsofthemilitarysalutewhichSergeantSteeloftheWelshFusiliershadtaughthim,withexactnessanddecorum.

Theyoungofficersmiled.Hisownhandmovedtotheresponsealmostinvoluntarily,asifHughJohnhadbeenoneofhisowntroopers.

Theboy'sheartstoodstill.Couldthisthingbe?Arealsoldierhad

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salutedhim!

Buttherewassomethingmoremarvellousyettocome.Asweetspringofgooddeedswelledupinthatyoungofficer'sbreast.Heavenspeedhim(asdoubtlessitwill)inhiswooing,andmakehimerehistimeageneral,withtheVictoriaCrossuponhisbreast.Butthough(asIhope)herisetobeCommander-in-Chief,hewillneverdoaprettieractionthanthatday,whenthesmallgrimyboystoodundertheelm-treesattheendoftheavenueofWindyStandard.Thisiswhathedid.Heturnedaboutinhissaddle.

[Illustration:"ITCOULDNOTHAVEBEENBETTERDONEFORAFIELD-MARSHAL."]

"_Attention,men,drawswords!_"hecried,andhisvoiceranglikeatrumpet,sogranditwas--atleastsoHughJohnthought.

Therecameaglitterofunanimoussteelastheswordsflashedintoline.Thehorsestossedtheirheadsatthestirringsound,andjingledtheiraccoutrementsasthemengatheredtheirbridlereinsupintheirlefthands.

"_Eyesright!Carryswords!_"cameagainthesharpcommand.

Andeveryblademadeanarcofglitteringlightasitcametothesalute.Itcouldnothavebeenbetterdoneforafield-marshal.

Nofullercupofjoywaseverdrunkbymortal.ThetearswelledupinHughJohn'seyesashestoodthereintheprideofthehonourdonetohim.Tobeknightedwasnothingtothis.Hehadbeenacknowledgedasasoldierbythegreatestsoldierthere.HughJohndidnotdoubtthatthisgloriousbeingwashewhohadledtheGreysinthechargeatWaterloo.Whoelsecouldhavedonethatthing?

Hewasnolongeralittledustyboy.Hestoodthereglorified,ennobled.Theworldwasalmosttoofull.

"_Eyesfront!Slopeswords!_"rangthewordsoncemore.

Thepageantpassedby.Onlythefardrum-throbcamebackashestoodspeechlessandmotionless,tillhisfatherrodeuponhiswayhome,andseeingtheboyaskedhimwhathewasdoingthere.Thenforallreplyalittleclickinghitchcamesuddenlyinhisthroat.Hewantedtolaugh,butsomehowinsteadthetearsrandownhischeeks,andhegaspedoutawordortwowhichsoundedlikesomebodyelse'svoice.

"I'mnothurt,father,"hesaid,"I'mnotcrying.ItwasonlythattheScotsGreyssalutedme.AndI_can't_helpit,father.Itgoes _tick-tick_inmythroat,andIcan'tkeepitback.ButI'mnotcrying,father!I'mnotindeed!"

Thenthesternmangatheredthegreatsoldierupandsethimacrosshissaddle--forHughJohnwasalone,theothershavinglongagogonebackwithJanetSheepshanks.Andhisfatherdidnotsayanything,butlethimsitinfrontwiththefamousswordinhishandswhichhadbroughtaboutsuchstrangethings.Andeventhusrodeourherohome--HughJohnPictonnomore,butratherGeneralNapoleonSmith;norshallhisrankbequestionedonanyarmyrosterofstrongunblenchinghearts.

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ButlatethatnightHughJohnstoledownthehushedavenue,hisbarefeetpatteringthroughthedustwhichthedewwasmakingcool.Heclimbedthegateandstoodundertheelm,withthewindflappinghiswhitenightgownlikeabattleflag.Thenclaspinghishands,hetookthesolemnbindingoathofhisreligion,"_TheScotsGreyssalutedme.MayIdie-and-rotifeverIamdasht-meanagain!_"

CHAPTERIV.

CASTLEPERILOUS.

InonecornerofthepropertyofHughJohn'sfatherstoodanancientcastle--somewhatdoubtfullyofit,however,foritwasclaimedaspublicpropertybytheadjoiningabbeytown,nowmuchdecayedandfallenfromitshighestate,butdesirousofanewleaseoflifeasatouristandmanufacturingcentre.Thecastleandtheabbeyhadforcenturiesbeenjealousneighbours,treacherousfriends,embattledenemiesaccordingtothefluctuatingpowerofthosewhopossessedthem.Thelordofthecastleharriedtheabbotandhisbrethren.Theabbotpromptlyretaliatedbylaunching,inthenameoftheChurch,the

dreadbanofexcommunicationagainstthefreebooter.Thecastlerepresentedfeudalrights,theabbeypopularandecclesiasticalauthority.

Andsoitwasstill.Mr.PictonSmithhad,indeed,onlyboughtthepropertyafewyearsbeforethebirthofourhero;but,amongotherencumbrances,hehadtakenoveralawsuitwiththetownconcerningthecastle,whichforyearshadbeendraggingitsslowlengthalong.EdamAbbeywasashow-placeofworld-widerepute,andtheshillingsofthetouristconstitutedaveryimportantiteminthefinancesoftheoverburdenedmunicipality.IftheCouncilandmagistratesofthegoodtownofEdamcouldaddtheCastleofWindyStandardtotheirattractions,theresultantadditionalsixpenceaheadwouldgofar

towardsmakinguptheancientrentalofthetownparks,whichnowletforexactlyhalfoftheirformervalue.

ButMr.PictonSmithwasnotmindedthustamelytohandoveranancientfortress,securedtohimbydeedandcharter.Hedeclaredatoncethathewouldresisttheclaimsofthetownbyeverymeansinhispower.Hewould,however,refuseright-of-waytonorespectablesightseer.Thepainter,allunchallenged,mightsetuphiseaselthere,thepoetmeditate,eventhecasualwandererinsearchofthepicturesqueandromantic,havefreeaccesstothesegloomyanddesolatehalls.Thetownspeoplewouldbeatlibertytoconducttheirfriendsandvisitorsthither.ButMr.SmithwasresolvedthattheancientfortaliceoftheWindyStandardshouldnotbemadeavulgar

show.Sandwichpapersandginger-beerbottleswouldnotbepermittedtoprofanethegreenswardofthecourtyard,acrosswhichhadsooftenriddenallthechivalryofthedeadLorraines.

"ThosewhowantsixpennyshowswillfindplentyatEdamFair,"wasMr.PictonSmith'sultimatum.Andwhenhehadoncecommittedhimself,likemostofhisstalwartname,Mr.Smithhadthereputationofbeingverysetinhismind.

Butinspiteofthisthetownasserteditsright-of-waythroughthe

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courtyard.Afootpathwassaidtohavepassedthatwaybywhichpersonsmightgotoandfrotokirkandmarket.

"Ihavenodoubtafootpathpassedthroughmydining-roomafewcenturiesago,"saidMr.Smith,"butthatdoesnotcompelmetokeepmyfrontandbackdoorsopenforalltherabbleofEdamtocomeandgoattheirpleasure."

Andforthwithhelockedhislodgegatesandboughtthelargestmastiffhecouldobtain.Thecastlestoodonanislandrathermorethanamilelong,alittlebelowthemansionhouse.Awoodenbridgeledoverthedeeper,narrower,andmorerapidbranchoftheEdamRiverfromthedirectionoftheabbeyandtown.Acrossthebroaderandshallowerbranchtherecouldbetraced,fromthehouseofWindyStandard,theremainsofanancientcauseway.This,intheplacewherethestreamwastobecrossed,hadbecomeaseriesofstepping-stonesoverwhichHughJohnandPriscillacouldgoatarun(withoutfallinginandwettingthemselvesmorethanonceinthreeorfourtimes),butwhichstillconstitutedanimpregnablebarriertotheshortfatlegsofToadyLion--whousuallystoodontheshoreandproclaimedhiswoestotheworldatlargetillsomebodycarriedhimoveranddepositedhimonthecastleisland.

Affairswereinthisunsettledconditionwhen,attwelveyearsofage,

HughJohnceasedtobeHughJohn,andbecame,without,however,losinghisusualsurnameofSmith,oneoftheaugustandimperialraceoftheBuonapartes.

ItwasaclearJuneevening,thekindofnightwhenthewholelandscapeseemstohavebeennewlyswept,washeddown,andgenerallyspring-cleaned.AllnaturespokepeacetoJanetSheepshanks,housekeeper,nurse,andgeneralresponsiblefemaleheadofthehouseofWindyStandard,whenaprocessioncametowardsheracrossthestepping-stonesoverthebroadEdamwaterfromthedirectionofthecastleisland.NeverhadsuchadisreputablesightpresenteditselftotheeyesofJanetSheepshanks.Atoncedouceandsevere,sharp-tonguedandcovertlyaffectionate,sherepresentedtheauthorityofafather

whowasfrequentlyabsentfromthem,andthememoryofadeadmotherwhichremainedtothethreechildreninwidelydifferentdegrees.ToPriscillahermotherwasalovingbeing,graciousalikebythetendersympathyofhervoiceandbythemagicofatouchwhichhealedallchildishtroubleswiththekissofpeaceupontheplace"tomakeitwell."ToHughJohnshehadbeenaconfidanttowhomhecouldrush,eageranddishevelled,withthetaleofthegloriousdefeatofsometinenemy(foreveninthoseprehistoricdaysHughJohnhadbeenasoldier),andwho,smoothingbackhisruffledhair,waspreparedtojoinaseagerlyashimselfinallhistinytriumphs.ButtoToadyLion,thoughhehushedtheshrillpersistenceofhistrebletoareverentmurmurwhenhetalkedof"muvver,"shewasonlyanimagination,fosteredmostlybyPriscilla--hisnotionofmotherhood

beingtakenfromhisrough-handedlovingJanetSheepshanks;whilethetombinthevillagechurchyardwasaplacetowhichhehadnodesiretoaccompanyhismother,andfromwhosegloomyprecinctshesoughttoescapeassoonaspossible.

CHAPTERV.

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THEDECLARATIONOFWAR.

But,meanwhile,JanetSheepshanksstandsattheendofthestepping-stones,andJanetishardlyapersontokeepwaitinganywherenearthehouseofWindyStandard.

Overthestepping-stonescameasleaderPriscillaSmith,herheadthrownback,strainingineverynervewiththeexcitementofcarryingSirToadyLion,whosescratchedlegsandshoelessfeetdangledoverthestream.Immediatelybeneathher,andwadingabovethekneeintherushofthewater,therestaggeredthroughtheshallowsHughJohn,supportinghissisterwithvoiceandhand--or,ashewouldhavesaid,"boostingherup"wheneversheswayedriverwardwithherburden,pushingherbehindwhenshehesitated,andrunningbeforetoofferhisbackasanadditionalstepping-stonewhenthespaceswerewidebetweentheboulders.

JanetSheepshankswaitedgrimlyforherchargesonthebank,andhereyesseemedtodeceiveher,wordstofailher,asthechildrencamenearer.NeverhadsuchasightbeenseennearthedecenthouseofWindyStandard.MissPriscillaandherpinaforewererepresentedbyaraggedtinkler'slasswithastillmoreraggedfrillaboutherneck.Hercheeksandhandswereasvariouslyscratchedasifshehadfallen

intoawholethicketofbrambles.Herface,too,waspale,andthetatooedplacesshowedbrightscarletagainstthewhitenessofherskin.Shehadlostashoe,andherdresswasrippedtothekneebyagreatraggedtriangulartear,whichflappedwetaboutheranklesasshewalked.

SirToadyLionwassomewhatlessdamaged,butstillshowedmanifoldsignsofroughusage.Hislacecollar,theprideofJanetSheepshanks'heart,wastornnearlyoffhisshoulders,andnowhungjaggedandunsightlydownhisback.Severalbuttonsofhiswell-orderedtunicweregone,andastohispersonhewasmudasfarabovethekneesascouldbeseenwithoutturninghimupsidedown.

ButHughJohn--wordsarevaintodescribetheplightofHughJohn.Oneeyewasclosed,andbegantobediscoloured,takingonabovethecheekbonetheshotgreenandpurpleofahalf-ripeplum.Hislipwascut,andathinthreadofscarletstealingdownhisbrowtoldofabrokenhead.Whatremainedofhisgarmentspresentedaruinmorecomplete,iflessrespectable,thantheancientcastleoftheWindyStandard.Neithershoenorshoe-string,neitherstockingnorcollar,remainedintactuponhim.Onhisbarelegswerethemarksofcruelkicks,andforeaseoftransporthecarriedthe_débris_ofhisjacketunderhisarm.Hehadnottheremotestideawherehiscaphadgoneto.

[Illustration:"NOWONDERTHATJANETSHEEPSHANKSAWAITEDTHISSORRYPROCESSIONWITHAGRIMTIGHTENINGOFTHELIPS."]

NowonderthatJanetSheepshanksawaitedthissorryprocessionwithagrimtighteningofthelips,orthatherhandquiveredwiththedesireofpunishment,evenwhileherkindandmotherlyheartyearnedtobebusyrepairingdamagesandbindingupthewounded.Ofthisfeeling,however,itwasimperativethatforthepresent,intheinterestsofdiscipline,sheshouldshownothing.

ItwasuponPriscilla,astheeldestinyearsandseniorresponsibleofficerincharge,thatJanetfirstturnedthevialsofherwrath.

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"Eh,PriscillaSmith,butyeareaba-a-ad,badlassie.Yeshouldha'eyourbarebackslashitwi'nettles!Whereha'eyebeen,andwhatha'eyedonetothesetwabairns?Yeshallbemarchedstraighttoyourfather,andifhedoesnagaryeloupwhenyewadraitherstandstill,andclawwhereyearenoyeuky,hewillnobedoinghisdutytotheAlmichty,andtoyourpuirmitherthat'slangsyneinherrestin'graveinthekirk-yairdo'Edom."

Bywhichferventaddressinhernativetongue,JanetmeantthatMr.Smithwouldbedecidedlyspoilingthechildifonthisoccasionhesparedtherod.JanetcouldspeakgoodenoughformalEnglishwhenshechose,forinstancetohermasteronSabbath,ortotheministeronvisitationdays;butwhenevershewasexcitedshereturnedtothatvigorousancientEarlyEnglishwhichsomemiscalladialect,andofwhichshehadanobleandefficientcommand.

ToJanet'sattack,Priscillaanswerednotawordeitherofexplanationorapology.Sherecognisedthatthecasehadgonefarbeyondthat.SheonlysetSirToadyLiononhisfeet,andbentdowntobrushthemudfromhistunicwithherusualsisterlygesture.JanetSheepshanksthrustherasidewithoutceremony.

"Myweeman,"shesaid,"whathavetheydonetoyou?"

ToadyLionbeganvolubly,andinhisusualshrillpipingvoice,tomakeanaccusationagainstcertainbadboyswhohad"hithim,"and"hurtedhim,"and"kickedhim."Andnowwhenatlasthewassafelydeliveredandlodgedinthewell-provenarmsofJanetSheepshankshistearsflowedapace,andmadecleanfurrowsdownthewoebegonegrubbinessofhisface.

PriscillawalkedbyJanet'sside,whiteandsilent,nervingherselfforthecominginterview.AtordinarytimesJanetSheepshankswasterribleenough,andherwordlawinalltheprecinctsofWindyStandard.ButPriscillaknewthatshemustnowfacetheangerofherfather;andso,withthisinprospect,therailingaccusationsofher

oldnursescarcelysomuchasreachedherears.

HughJohn,strippedofallmilitarypomp,limpedbehind--ashort,dry,cheerlesssobshakinghimatintervals.Butinrealitythiswasmoretheprotestofineffectualangerthananyconcessiontounmanlyweakness.

CHAPTERVI.

FIRSTBLOOD.

Tenminuteslater,andwithout,asJaneSheepshankssaid,"somuckleasaspongeorabrush-and-combbeinglaiduponthem,"thethreestoodbeforetheirfather.SilentlyJanethadintroducedthem,andnowassilentlyshestoodasidetolistentotheevidence--and,assheputit,"keepthemaistertohisduty,andmindhimo'hisresponsibilitiestothemthat'sgane."

JanetSheepshanksneverforgotthatshehadbeenmaidfortwentyyears

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tothedeadmotherofthechildren,northatshehadreceived"thebitso'weans"atherhandasadyingcharge.Sheconsideredherself,withsomereason,tobethedirectrepresentativeofthemissingparent,andreferredtoPriscilla,ToadyLion,andHughJohnas"mybairns,"justas,inmomentsofaffection,shewouldstillspeaktothemof"mybonnielassieyourmither,"asifthedeadwomanwerestilloneofherflock.

ForafullminuteMr.PictonSmithgazedspeechlessatthespectaclebeforehim.Hehadbeenwritingsomethingthatcrinkledhisbrowandcompressedhislips,andatthepatterofthechildren'sfeetinthepassageoutsidehisdoor,astheyceremoniouslymarshalledthemselvestoenter,hehadturnedaboutonhisgreatofficechairwithasmileofexpectationandanticipation.Thedooropened,andJanetSheepshankspushedinfirstSirToadyLion,stillvolubleandcallingforvengeanceonthe"bad,badboysatthecastlethathadstrikedhimandhurtedhisdearPrissy."Priscillaherselfstoodwhite-lippedanddumb,andthroughtheawfulsilencepulsedthedry,recurrent,sobbingcatchinthethroatofHughJohn.

Mr.PictonSmithwasasternman,whosegreatlosshadcausedhimtoshutupthespringsofhistendernessfromtheworld.Buttheyflowedthesweeterandtherarerunderneath;andthoughhisgraveanddignifiedmannerdauntedhischildrenontheoccasionofanynotable

evil-doing,theyhadnoreasontobeafraidofhim.

"Well,whatisthemeaningofthis?"hesaid,hisfacefallingintoagreyerandgraversilenceatthesoundofHughJohn'ssobs,andturningtoPriscillaforexplanation.

MeanwhileSirToadyLionwaspursuingthesubjectwithhisusualshrillalacrity.

"Bequiet,sir,"saidhisfather."Iwillhearyouallonebyone,butletPriscillabegin--sheistheeldest."

"Wewenttothecastleafterdinner,overbythestepping-stones,"

beganPriscilla,fingeringnervouslythefrillofthetornpinaforeaboutherthroat,"andwhenwegottothecastlewefoundoutthatourpetlambDonaldhadcomeafterusbytheford;andhewasgoingeverywhereaboutthecastle,tryingtorubhisbelloffhisneckonthegate-postsandonthestonesatthecorners."

"Yes,andIstoodedonarock,andDonaldhebuttedmeoverbehind!"camethevoiceofSirToadyLioninshrillexplanationofhispersonalshareintheadventure.

"Andthenweplayedonthegrassintheinsideofthecastle.ToadyLionandIwereplaitingdaisy-chainsandgarlandsforDonald,andHughJohnwasplayingatbeingthePrisonerofChillyon:hehadtied

himselftothegate-postwitharope."

"'Twasn't,"mutteredHughJohn,whowasasticklerforaccuracy;"itwasaplough-chain!"

"Anditrattled,"addedSirToadyLion,nottobeoutoftherunning.

"Andjustwhenwewereplayingnicely,alotofhorridboysfromthetowncameswarmingandclamberingin.Theyhadrunoverthebridgeandclimbedthegate,andthentheybegancallingusnamesandthrowing

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mud.SoHughJohnsaidhewouldtellonthem."

"Didn't,"interruptedHughJohnindignantly."IsaidI'dknocktheheadsoffthemiftheydidn'tstopandgetout;andtheyonlylaughedandsaidthingsaboutfather.SoIhitoneofthemwithastone."

"Then,"continuedPriscilla,gainingconfidencefromacertaincurioussparkoflightwhichbegantoburnsteadilyinherfather'seyes,"afterHughJohnthrewthestone,thehorridboysallcameandsaidthattheywouldkillus,andthatwehadnobusinessthereanyway."

"Theyfrowedmedownthewell,andIwentsplass!Yes,indeedy!"interruptedToadyLion,whohadimagination.

"ThenDonald,ourblackpetlamb,thatis,cameintothecourt,andtheyallranawayafterhimandcaughthim.Firstheknockeddownoneortwoofthem,andthentheyputaroperoundhisneckandbegantotakeridesonhisback."

"Yes,andhebleatedand'kye-kyed'justfeeful!"whimperedToadyLion,beginningtoweepalloveragainattheremembrance.

ButtheSmithoftheimperialraceonlyclenchedhistornhandsandlookedathisbruisedknuckles.

"SoHughJohnsaidhewouldkillthemiftheydidnotletDonaldgo,andthathewasasoldier.Buttheyonlylaughedlouder,andoneofthemstruckhimacrossthelipwithastick--Iknowhim,he'sthebutch----"

"Shutup,Pris!"shoutedHughJohn,withsuddenfierceness,"it'sdasht-meantotellnames."

"Bequiet,sir,"saidhisfatherseverely;"letyoursisterfinishherstoryinherownway."

Butforallthattherewasalookofsomeprideonhisface.Atthat

momentMr.PictonSmithwasnotsorrytohaveHughJohnforason.

"Well,"saidPriscilla,whohadnosuchscruplesastotellingonherenemies,"Iwon'ttellifyousaynot.ButthatwastheboywhohurtDonaldtheworst."

"Well,Ismashedhimforthat!"mutteredNapoleonSmith.

"AndthenwhenHughJohnsawthemdraggingDonaldawayandheardhimbleating----"

"And'kye-kying'big,bigtears,bigascherries!"interjectedToadyLion,whoconsideredeverynarrativeincompletetowhichhedidnot

contribute.

"Hewasovercomewithrageandanger"--atthispointPriscillabegantotalkbythebook,thedignityoftheepictaleworkingonher--"andherusheduponthemfearlessly,thoughtheyweretentoone;andtheyallstruckhimandkickedhim.ButHughJohnfoughtlikealion."

"Yes,likeWichardToadyLion,"criedthenamesakeofthathero,"andIhelptedhimandbitedabadboyontheleg,anddidn'tletgothoughhekickedandhurtedfeeful!Yes,indeedy!"

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"AndIwenttotheirassistanceandfoughtasHughJohnshowedme.And--Iforgettherest,"saidPriscilla,herepicstylesuddenlyfailingher.Alsoshefeltshemustbegintocryverysoon,nowthestrainwasover.Soshemadehastetofinish."Butitwasdreadful,andtheyswore,andsaidtheywouldcutDonald'sthroat.Andoneboytookoutagreatknifeandsaidheknewhowtodoit.Hewasthebutch----"

"Shutup,Pris!Nowdon'tyoudare!"shoutedHughJohn,inhismostwarningtones.

"AndwhenHughJohnrushedintostophim,hehithimovertheheadwithastick,andHughJohnfelldown.And,oh!Ithoughthewasdead,andIdidn'tknowwhattodo"(Priscillawascryingingoodearnestnow);"andIrantohimandtriedtolifthimup.ButIcouldnot--hewassowobblyandsoft."

"Ibitedtheboy'sleg.Itwasdood.Ibitedhard!"interruptedToadyLion,whosemissionhadbeenvengeance.

"AndwhenIlookedupagaintheyhadtakenawayp-p-poorDonald,"Priscillawentonspasmodicallybetweenhertears,"andIthinktheykilledhimbecausehebelongedtoyou,and--theysaidhehadno

businessthere!Oh,theyweresuchhorridcruelboys,andmuchbiggerthanus.AndIcan'tbearthatDonshouldhavehisthroatcut.Iwaspromisedthatheshouldneverbesoldformutton,butonlyclippedforwool.Andhehadsuchaprettythroattohangdaisy-chainson,andwassuchadear,dearthing."

"Idon'tthinktheywoulddaretokillhim,"saidMr.Smithgravely;"besides,theycouldnotlifthimoverthegate.Iwillsendatonceandsee.InfactIwillgomyself!"

Therewasonlyangeragainsttheenemynow,andnothoughtofchastisementofhisownintheheartofMr.PictonSmith.Hewasrisingtoreachouthishandtohisriding-whip,whenGeneralNapoleon

Smith,who,likemostgreatmakersofhistory,hadtakenlittlepartinthetellingofit,createdadiversionwhichputallthoughtofimmediateactionoutofhisfather'shead.Hehadbeenstandingup,shoulderssquared,armsdressedtohisside,headerect,ashehadseenSergeantSteeldowhenhespoketohisColonel.Onceortwicehehadswayedslightly,buttheheartoftheBuonapartes,whichbeatbravelyinhisbosom,broughthimupagainallstanding.Neverthelesshegrewevenwhiterandwhiter,till,allinamoment,hegavealittlelurchforward,checkedhimself,andagainlookedstraightbeforehim.Thenhesobbedoutoncesuddenlyandhelplessly,said"Icouldn'thelpgettingbeaten,father--thereweretoomanyofthem!"andfelloverallofapieceonthehearthrug.

Atwhichhisfather'sfacegrewverystillandangryashegatheredthegreatGeneralgentlyinhisarmsandcarriedhimupstairstohisownlittlewhitecot.

CHAPTERVII.

THEPOORWOUNDEDHUSSAR.

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ItissmallwonderthatMr.PictonSmithwasfullofanger.Hiscastlehadbeeninvadedanddesecrated,hisauthorityasproprietordefied,hischildreninsultedandabused.Asamagistratehefeltboundtotakenoticebothoftheoutrageandofthetheftofhisproperty.Asafatherhecouldnoteasilyforgettheplightinwhichhisthreechildrenhadappearedbeforehim.

Butinhisschemesofvengeancehereckonedwithoutthatdistinguishedmilitaryofficer,General-Field-MarshalNapoleonSmith.Forthissoldierhadbeenpromotedonhisbedofsickness.Hehadreadsomewherethatinhisprofession(asinmostothers)successquiteoftenbredenvyandneglect,butthattotheunsuccessful,promotionandhonourweresometimesawardedasasortofconsolationsweepstakes.So,havingbeenentirelyroutedandplunderedbytheenemy,itcametoHughJohninthewatchesofthenight--when,asheputit,"hisheadwashurtinglikefun"thatitwastimeforhimtotakethefinalstepinhisownadvancement.

Soonthenextmorningheannouncedthechangeinhisnameandstyletohisarmyasitfiledintovisithim.Thearmywasonthewholequiteagreeable.

"ButI'mafraidIshallneverrememberallthat,Mr.General-Field-MarshalNapoleonSmith!"saidPriscilla.

"Well,you'dbetter!"returnedthewoundedhero,astruculentlyashecouldforthebandagesandthesticking-plaster,inwhichhewasswathedafterthefashionofanEgyptianmummypartiallyunwrapped.

"Whatafunnysmell!"pipedToadyLion."Dofield-marshals_all_smelllikethat?"

"Getout,silly!"retortedthewoundedofficer."Don'tyouknowthat'sthestufftheyrubonthewoundedwhentheyhavefoughtbravely?That'sarnicay!"

"Andwhatdotheyyubonthemwhentheydon'tfightbravely?"persistedToadyLion,whohadhadenoughoffighting,andwhoinhisheartwasresolvedthatthenexttimehewould"yunaway"ashardashecould,astateofmindnotunusualafterthe_zip-zip_ofbulletsisheardforthefirsttime.

"Firstofalltheycatchthemandkickthemforbeingcowards.Thentheyshootatthemtilltheyaredead;andmaytheLordhavemercyontheirsouls!Amen!"saidGeneralSmith,mixingthingsfortheinformationandencouragementofSirToadyLion.

Presentlythechildrenwerecalledouttogoandplay,andthewounded

herowasleftalone.Hisheadachedsothathecouldnotread.Indeed,inanycasehecouldnot,fortheroomwasdarkenedwiththeintentionofshieldinghisdamagedeyesfromthelight.GeneralNapoleoncouldonlywatchthefliesbuzzingroundandround,andwishinvainthathehadafly-flapperattheendofapoleinorderto"plop"them,asheusedtodoalloverthehouseinthehappydaysbeforeJanetSheepshanksdiscoveredwhatmadethewallsandwindowssohorridwithdeadanddyinginsects.

"Yes;thesquashyones_were_ratherstreaky!"hadbeenthewordsin

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whichHughJohnadmittedhisguilt,afterthepoleandleathernflapperweretakenfromhimandburnedinthewashhousefire.

Thusinthesemi-darknessHughJohnlaywatchingtheflieswiththestealthyintentnessofaRedIndianscalperonthetrail.Itwassadtolieidlyinbed,sobewrappedandswathedthat(ashemournfullyremarked),"ifoneofthebrutesweretosettleonyournose,youcouldonlywaitforhimtocrawlup,andthensnatchathimwithyourlefteyelid."

Suddenlythedisabledherobethoughthimselfofsomething.First,afterlisteningintentlysoastobequitesurethat"thechildren"wereoutsidetheboundsofthehouse,thewoundedgeneralraisedhimselfonhiselbow.Buttheefforthurthimsomuchthatinvoluntarilyhesaid"Outch!"andsankbackagainonthepillow.

"Crikey,butdon'tIsmelljust!"hemuttered,when,afteronebreathofpurerair,hesankbackintothepoolofarnicavapour."IsupposeI'llhavetohowloutforJanet.Whataswot!"

"Janet!--Ja-a-a-a-net!"heshouted,andsighedasighofrelieftofindthatatleasttherewasonepartofhimneitherbandagednordrownedinarnica.

"Deiltak'theladdie!"criedJanet,whowentaboutherworkalldaywithoneearcockedtowardthechamberofherbravesicksoldier;"whatserviceisthereintakingtheriggingaffthehoosewi'yournoise?DidyethinkIwasdoonatEdamCross?Whatdoyewant,callant,thatyedeafenmyauldlugslikethat?Ineverheardsicaladdie!"

ButGeneralSmithdidnotansweranyofthesequestions.HewellknewJanet'stoneofsimulatedangerwhenshewas"puttingiton."

"Goandfetch_it_!"hesaiddarkly.

CHAPTERVIII.

THEFAMILIARSPIRIT.

NowtherewasaskeletoninthecupboardofGeneralNapoleonSmith.Nodistinguishedfamilycanberespectablewithoutatleastonesuch.Butthatofthenewfield-marshalwasparticularlydarkanddisgraceful.

VeryobedientlyJanetSheepshanksvanishedfromthesick-room,andpresentlyreturnedwithanoblongparcel,whichshehandedtothehero

ofbattles.

"Thankyou,"hesaid;"areyousurethatthechildrenareout?"

"Theyaresailingpaperboatsonthemill-dam,"saidJanet,goingtothewindowtolook.

HughJohnsighedasigh.Hewishedhecouldsailboatsonthemill-dam.

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"Ihopeeveryboatwillgodownthemilllade,andgetmashedinthewheel,"hesaidpleasantly.

"Forshame,MasterHugh!"repliedJanetSheepshanks,shakingherheadathim,butconsciousthathewasexactlyexpressingherownmind,ifshehadbeenlyingsicka-bedandhadbeencompelledtolistentosomeotherhousekeeperjinglingkeysthatoncewerehers,ransackinghersacredestrepositories,andkeepinginorderthemenialsofthehouse.

HughJohnproceededcautiouslytounwraphisfamilyskeleton.Presentlyfromthefoldsoftissuepaperaveryagedandbattered"Sambo"emerged.Nowa"Sambo"isablackwoolly-hairednegrodollofthefashionofmanyyearsago.Thisspecimenwasdressedinsimpleandairyfashioninasingleredshelljacket.Astotherest,hewasbareandblackfromheadtofoot.Janetcalledhim"thathorridobject";but,nevertheless,hewaspreciousintheeyesofHughJohn,andthereforeinhers.

Thoughtwelveyearsofage,hestilllikedtocarryondarkandcovertintercoursewithhisancient"Sambo."Inpublic,indeed,hepreached,inseasonandoutofseason,againstthefollyandwickednessofdolls.Noonebutalassieora"lassie-boy"woulddosuchathing.HelaughedatPriscillaforcleaningupherdoll'skitchenonceaweek,andfororganisingafternoontea-partiesforherquietharem.But

secretlyhewouldhavelikedverywelltoseeSambositatthatbounteousboard.

Nevertheless,heinstructedToadyLioneverydaywithdoctrineandreproofthatitwas"onlyforgirls"tohavedolls.AndknowingwellthatnoneofhiscommonrepositoriesweresoremoteandsacredaslongtoescapePriscilla'sunsleepingeye,orthemorestormythoughfitfulcuriosityofSirToadyLion,HughJohnhadbeencompelledtotakehisancientnurseandeverfaithfulfriendJanetintohisconfidence.SoSambodweltinthehousekeeper'spantryandhadtwodistinctodours.Onesideofhimsmeltofparaffin,andtheotherofsoftsoap,which,toaskilleddetective,mighthaverevealedthesecretofhisdarkabode.

Butletusnotdoourheroaninjustice.

ItwasnotexactlyasadollthatGeneralSmithconsideredSambo.Bynomeansso,indeed.Sometimeshewasadistinguishedgeneralwhocametotakeordersfromhischief,sometimesanawkwardprivatewhoneededtobedrilled,andthenknockedspinningacrossthefloorforinattentiontoorders.For,beitremembered,itwasthecustominthearmyofField-Marshal-GeneralSmithfortheCommander-in-Chieftodrilltherecruitswithhisownvoice,andinthebynomeansimprobableeventoftheirprovingstupid,toknockthemendwisewithhisownaugusthand.

ButitwasasFamiliarSpirit,andinthepursuitofoccultdivination,thatGeneralNapoleonmostfrequentlyresortedtoSambo.Hehadreadallhecouldfindinlegendandhistoryconcerningthatgruesomelyattractivegoblin,clothedallinred,whichthewickedLordSouliskeptinanoakenchestinacastlenotsofarfromhisownfather'shouseofWindyStandard.

AndHughJohnsawnoreasonwhySamboshouldnotbetheveryone.Spiritsdonotdie.Itisaknownfactthattheyarefondoftheirformerhaunts.What,then,couldbeclearer?SambowasevidentlyLord

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Soulis'RedImprisenfromthedead.WasSambonotblack?Thedevilwasblack.DidSambonotweararedcoat?Wasnotthedemonoftheoakenchestattiredinflamingscarlet,whenallcautiouslyheliftedthelidatmidnightandlookedwickedlyoutuponhismaster?

YettheGeneralwasconsciousthatSamboSouliswasadistinctdisappointmentinthepartoffamiliarspirit.Hewouldsitsilent,withhisheadhangingidioticallyononeside,whenhewasaskedtorevealthedeepestsecretsofthefuture,insteadoftoeingthelineanddoingit.NorwasitrecordedinthechroniclesofSoulisthattheoriginaldemonofthechesthadhadhisnose"bashedflat"byhismaster,asHughJohnvigorouslyexpressedthedamagedappearanceofhisownfamiliar.

Worsethanall,HughJohnhadtriedtokeepSamboinhisrabbit-box.Butnotonlydidheutterlyfailtoputhis"fearfulhead,crownedwitharednight-cap"overtheedgeofthehutchatthepropertime--as,hadhebeenofrespectableparentage,hewouldnothavefailedtodo,but,inaddition,hedevelopedinhisclosequartersananimalodoursopungentandunprofitablethatJanetSheepshanksrefusedtoadmithimintothestore-cupboardtillhehadbeenthoroughlyfumigatedanddisinfected.SoforawholeweekSamboSoulisswungignominiouslybytheneckfromtheclothesline,andHughJohnwentaboutinfearofthequestioningofthechildrenorofthe

confiscationbyhisfatherofhiswell-belovedbutsomewhatunsatisfactoryfamiliarspirit.

ItwasinordertoconsulthimonacriticalpointofdoctrineandpracticethatHughJohnhadnowsentforSamboSoulis.

Heproppedhimupbeforehimagainstapillow,onwhichhesatbentforwardatanacuteanglefromthehips,asifreadytopounceuponhismasterandrendhimtopiecessosoonasthecatechismshouldbeover.

"Lookhere,"saidGeneral-Field-MarshalSmithtotheoracle,"supposingthegovernortellsmetosplitonNipperDonnan,the

butcherboy,willitbedasht-meanifIdo?"

SamboSoulis,beingdisturbedbythedelicacyofthequestionorperhapsbythewrigglingofHughJohnuponhispillow,onlylurcheddrivellinglyforward.

"Situpandanswer,"criedhismaster,"orelseI'llhikeyououtofthatprettyquick,forasillyoldowl!"

AndwithhisleastbandagedhandhegaveSamboasoundcuffonthesideofhisvenerablebatteredhead,beforeproppinghimupatanewanglewithhischinonhisknees.

"Nowspeakup,Soulis,"saidGeneralSmith;"Iaskyouwoulditbedasht-mean?"

Theoraclewasunderstoodtojogglehischinandgogglehiseyes.Hecertainlydidthelatter.

"Ithoughtso,"saidSoulis'master,asisusualinsuchcases,interpretingthereplyoracularaccordingtohisliking."Butlookhere,howarewetogetbackDonaldunlesswesplit?WoulditnotbeallrighttosplitjusttogetDonaldback?"

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SamboSouliswaggledhisheadagain.Thistimehismasterlookedalittlemoreserious.

"Isupposeyouareright,"hesaidpensively,"butifitwouldbedasht-meantosplit,wemustjusttrytogethimbackourselves--thatis,ifthebeastshavenotcuthisthroat,astheysaidtheywould."

CHAPTERIX.

PUTTOTHEQUESTION.

InthechasteretirementofhissickroomtheField-Marshalhadjustreachedthisconclusion,whenheheardanoiseinthehall.Therewasasoundofthegruffunmirthfulvoicesofgrown-ups,ascufflingoffeet,aplantingofwhipsandwalking-sticksonthezinc-bottomedhall-stand,andthen,afterapausewhichmeantdrinks,heavyfootstepsinthepassagewhichledtothehero'schamber.

HughJohnsnatchedupSamboSoulisandthrusthimdeepbeneaththe

bedclothes,wherehecouldreadilypushhimovertheendwithhistoes,ifitshouldchancetobe"thedoctor-beast"cometouncoverhimand"foolwiththebandages."IhavesaidenoughtoshowthattheGeneralwasnotonlyfranklysavageinsentiment,butresembledhisgreatimperialnamesakeinbeinggratefulonlywhenitsuitedhim.

BeforeGeneralNapoleonhadhistoesfairlysettledoverthebackofSamboSoulis'neck,soastobeabletoremovehimoutofharm'swayonanysuddenalarm,thedooropenedandhisfathercamein,usheringtwomen,thefirstofwhomcameforwardtothebedsideinaneasy,kindlymanner,andheldouthishand.

"Doyouknowme?"hesaid,givingHughJohn'ssecondsoresthandsuch

asqueezethatthewoundedherowasgladitwasnottheverysorestone.

"Yes,"repliedtheheropromptly,"youareSammyCarter'sfather.Icanjollywelllick----"

"HughJohn,"interruptedhisfatherseverely,"rememberwhatyouaresayingtoMr.DavenantCarter."

"Well,anyway,I_can_lickSammyCartertillhe'sdumb-sick!"mutteredtheGeneralbetweenhisteeth,asheavoidedthethreepairsofeyesthatwereturneduponhim.

"Oh,lethimsayjustwhathelikes!"saidMr.DavenantCarterjovially."Sammyisthebetterofbeinglicked,ifthatiswhattheboywasgoingtosay.Isometimestrymyhandatitmyselfwithsomesuccess."

TheothermanwhohadcomeinwithMr.Smithwasathick-setfellowofmiddleheight,withacuriousairofbeingdressedupinsomebodyelse'sclothes.Yettheyfittedhimverywell.Heworeonhisface(inadditiontoaslightmoustache)anexpressionwhichsomehowmadeHughJohnthinkguiltilyofalltheorchardshehadevervisitedalong

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withToadyLionandSammyCarter'ssisterCissy,whowas"noendofanicegirl"inHughJohn'sestimation.

"This,Hugh,"saidhisfather,withalittlewaveofhishand,"isMr.Mant,theChiefConstableofthecounty.Mr.Carterandhehavecometoaskyouafewquestions,whichyouwillansweratonce."

"Iwon'tbedasht-mean!"mutteredNapoleonSmithtohimself.

"What'sthat?"ejaculatedMr.Smith,catchingtheechoofhisson'srumbleofdissent.

"Onlymylegthathurted,"saidthehypocriticalheroofbattles.

"Don'tyouthinkweshouldhavetheotherchildrenhere?"saidMr.ChiefConstableMant,speakingforthefirsttimeinagruff,move-on-therevoice.

"Certainly,"assentedMr.Smith,goingtothedoor."Janet!"

"Yes,sir!"

Theanswercamefromimmediatelybehindthedoor.

TheField-Marshal'sbrowdarkened,orratheritwouldhavedonesoiftherehadbeennowhitebandagesoverit.Thisisthecorrectexpressionanyhow--thoughordinarybrowsbutseldombehaveinthismanner.

"Prissy'sallright,"hethoughttohimself,"butifthatlittlefoolToadyLion----"

Andheclenchedhissecondsoresthandundertheclothes,andkickedSamboSoulistothefootofthebedinawaywhichauguredbutlittlemercytoSirToadyLionif,afterallhistraining,heshouldturnout"dasht-mean"inthehouroftrial.

Presentlytheothertwochildrenwerepushedinatthedoor,ToadyLiontryingaboltatthelastmoment,whichJanetSheepshankseasilyfoiledbycatchingattheslackofhistrousersbehind,whilePrissystoodholdingherhandsprimlyasifinSunday-schoolclass.BothaffordedtothecriticaleyeofHughJohncompleteevidencethattheyhadonlyjustescapedfromtheGreaterPainofthecombandsoapedflannel-clothofJanetSheepshanks.Prissy'scurlswerestillwetandsmoothedout,andToadyLionwastryinginvaintorubtheyellowsoapoutofhiseyes.

Soattheheadquartersofitsgeneral,thearmyofWindyStandardformedup.SirToadyLionwishedtogetwithinsupportingdistanceofPrissy,andaccordinglykeptsnugglingnearerallthetime,sothathe

couldgetafurtiveholdofherskirtsatawkwardplacesintheexamination.ThishecoulddothemoreeasilythatGeneralField-MarshalSmithwaspreventedbythebandagesoverhisrighteye,andalsobytheprojectingedgesofthepillow,fromseeingToadyLion'slefthand.

"Now,Priscilla,"beganherfather,"tellMr.DavenantCarterandMr.Mantwhathappenedinthecastle,andthenamesofanyofthebadboyswhostoleyourpetlamb."

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"Wasn'tnolamb--Donaldwasasheep,andhecouldfight,"beganToadyLion,withoutrelevance,butwithhisusualeagernesstohearthesoundofhisownpipingvoice.Inhiszealhetookastepforwardandsobroughthimselfontheleveloftheeyeofhisgeneral,whofromthepillowdarteduponhimalooksofreezingthatSirToadyLioninstantlyfellbackintotheranks,andclutchedPrissy'sskirtwithsuchenergyasalmosttostaggerherseveredeportment.

"Now,"saidtheChiefConstableofBordershire,"tellmewhatwerethenamesoftheassailants."

HewaslisteningtothetaleastoldbyPrissywithhisnote-bookreadyinhishand,occasionallybitingatthebuttofthepencil,andanonwettingtheleadinhismouth,underthemistakenideathatbysodoingheimproveditswritingqualities.

"Ithink,"beganPrissy,"thattheywere----"

"_A-chew!_"camefromthebedandfromunderthebandageswithasuddenburstofsound.Field-MarshalNapoleonSmithhadsneezed.Thatwasall.

ButPrissystarted.Sheknewwhatitmeant.Itwasthewell-knownsignalnottocommitherselfunderexamination.

Herfatherlookedroundattheopenwindows.

"Areyoucatchingcoldwiththedraught,HughJohn?"heaskedkindly.

"IthinkIhavealittlecold,"saidthewilyGeneral,whodidnotwishallthewindowstobepromptlyshut.

"Don'tknowalltheirnames,buttheonethathurtedmewas----"beganToadyLion.

Butwhothevillainwaswillneverbeknown,foratthatmomentthebedclothesbecameviolentlydisturbedimmediatelyinfrontofSir

ToadyLion'snose.Afearfulblackcountenancenoddedonceathimanddisappeared.

"BlackSambo!"gaspedToadyLion,awedbytheterribleappearance,andfallingbackfromtheplacewherethewizardhadsosuddenlyappeared.

"WhatdidIunderstandyoutosay,littleboy?"saidMr.Mant,withhispencilonhisbook.

"Ow--itwasBlackSambo!"ToadyLionalmostscreamed.Mr.Mantgravelynotedthefact.

"Whatintheworlddoeshemean?"askedMr.Mant,castinghiseyes

searchinglyfromPrissytoGeneralNapoleonandbackagain.

"Hemeans'BlackSambo'!"saidPrissy,devotingherselfstrictlytofacts,andleavingtheChiefConstabletohisproperbusinessofinterpretingthem.

"Whatishisothername?"saidMr.Mant.

"Soulis!"saidGeneralSmithfromthebed.

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Thethreegentlemenlookedateachother,smiled,andshooktheirheads.

"WhatdidItellyou?"saidMr.DavenantCarter."TryasIwill,IcannotgetthesimplestthingoutofmySammyandCissyiftheydon'tchoosetotell."

NeverthelessMr.Smith,beingasanguinemanandwithlittleexperienceofchildren,triedagain.

"Thereisnoblackboyintheneighbourhood,"saidMr.Smithseverely;"nowtellthetruth,children--atonce,whenIbidyou!"

Heutteredthelastwordsinaloudandcommandingtone.

"Usistellingthetroof,fatherdear,"saidToadyLion,inthe"coaxy-woaxy"voicewhichheusedwhenhewantedmarmaladefromJanetorarideonthesaddlefromMr.PictonSmith.

"Perhapstheboyhadblackenedhisfacetodeceivetheeye,"suggestedMr.Mant,withtheairofonefamiliarfrominfancywiththetricksanddevicesoftheevil-mindedofallages.

"Wastheringleader'sfaceblackened?--Answeratonce!"saidMr.Smith

sternly.

TheGeneralextractedhisbruisedandbatteredrighthandfromundertheclothesandlookedatit.

"Ithinkso,"hesaid,"leastwayssomehascomeoffonmyknuckles!"

Mr.DavenantCarterburstintoapealofjovialmirth.

"Didn'tItellyou?--Itisn'tabitofusebadgeringchildrenwhentheydon'twanttotell.Let'sgoovertothecastle."

Andwiththatthethreegentlemenwentout,whileNapoleonSmith,

Prissy,andSirToadyLionwereleftalone.

TheGeneralbeckonedthemtohisbedsidewithhisnose--quiteaneasythingtodoifyouhavetherightkindofnose,whichHughJohnhad.

"Nowlookhere,"hesaid,"ifyou'dtold,I'dhavejollywellflattenedyouwhenIgotup.'Tisn'tourbusinesstotellp'leecementhings."

"Thatwasn'tap'leeceman,"saidSirToadyLion,"hadn'tnoshinybuttons."

"That'stheworstkind,"saidtheGeneralinalow,hissingwhisper;

"allthesameyoustoodtoitlikebricks,andnowI'mgoingtogetwellandbeginonthecampaignatonce."

"Don'tyoubegreedy-teethandeatitallyourself!"interjectedToadyLion,whothoughtthatthecampaignwassomethingtoeat,andthatitsoundedgood.

"Whatareyougoingtodo?"saidPrissy,whohadagreatbeliefintheexecutiveabilityofherbrother.

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"Iknowtheirsecrethold,"saidGeneral-Field-MarshalSmithgrandly,"andinthehouroftheirfanciedsecuritywewillfalluponthemand----"

"Andwhat?"gaspedPrissyandToadyLiontogether,awaitingtherevelationofthehorror.

"Destroythem!"saidGeneralSmith,inatonewhichwasfeltbyallpartiestobefinal.

Helaidhimselfbackonhispillowandmotionedthemhaughtilyaway.PrissyandSirToadyLionretreatedontiptoe,lestJanetshouldcatchthemandsendthemtotheparlour--Prissytoreadherchapter,andherbrotheralongwithhertokeephimoutofmischief.

Andsothegreatsoldierwaslefttohismeditationsinthedarkenedhospitalchamber.

CHAPTERX.

ASCOUTINGADVENTURE.

GeneralSmith,havingnowpartiallyrecovered,wasmusteringhisforcesandarranginghisplansofcampaign.Hehadspokennohastywordwhenheboastedthatheknewthesecrethauntoftherobbers.For,sometimebefore,duringabriefbutgloriouscareerasapirate,hehadbeenbroughtintoconnectionwithNipperDonnan,thestrongestbutcher'sboyofthetown,andtheringleaderinallmischief,togetherwithJoeCraig,NosieCuthbertson,andBillyM'Robert,hisreadyfollowers.

HughJohnhadoncebeenamemberoftheComancheCowboys,asNipperDonnan'sbandwasstyled;butadisagreementabouttheobjectsof

attackhadhastenedarupture,andtheaffairofthecastlewasbutthelastactinahostilitylonglatent.Infactthewarwasalwayssimmering,andwasreadytoboiloverontheslightestprovocation.ForwhenHughJohnfoundthathisfather'sorchards,hisfather'scoversandhencoopsweretobethechiefprey(beingsaferthanthefarmers'yards,wheretherewerebigdogsalwaysloose,andthetownstreets,where"bobbies"mostlycongregated),hestruck.Hereflectedthatonedayallthesethingswouldbelongtohimself.HewouldsharewithPrissyandSirToadyLion,ofcourse;butstillmainlytheywouldbelongtohim.Whythenplunderthemnow?Theargumentwasutilitarianbutsufficient.

ThoughhedidnotmentionthefacttoPrissyorSirToadyLion,Hugh

Johnwasperfectlywellacquaintedwiththeleadersinthefrayatthecastle.HeknewalsothatthereweremotivesfortheenmityoftheComancheCowboysotheranddeeperthanthetownrightstothepossessionoftheCastleofWindyStandard.

ItwasnightwhenHughJohncautiouslypushedupthesashofhiswindowandlookedout.Afewstarswerehighupaloftwanderingthroughthegrey-bluefieldsofthesummernight,asitwerelistlesslyandwiththeirhandsintheirpockets.Acorn-crakecriedinthemeadowdownbelow,steadily,remorselessly,liketheachingof

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atooth.Awhiteowlpassedthewindowwithanalmostnoiselesswhiffoffluffyfeathers.HughJohnsniffedthecoolpungentnightsmellofthedewonthenearwetleavesandthedistantmowngrass.Italwayswenttohisheadalittle,andwastheonlythingwhichmadehimregretthathewastobeasoldier.Wheneverhesmeltit,hewantedtobeanexploreroffar-offlands,oranhonestpoacher--evenagamekeepermightdo,incasetheothervocationsprovedunattainable.

HughJohngotoutofthewindowslowly,leavingSirToadyLionasleepandthedoorintoPrissy'sroomwideopen.Hedroppedeasilyandlightlyupontheroofofthewash-house,and,steadyinghimselfuponthetiles,hesliddowntillheheardCæsar,theblackNewfoundland,stirinhiskennel.Thenhecalledhimsoftly,sothathemightnotbark.Hecouldnottakehimwithhimto-night,forthoughCæsarwaslittlemorethanapuppyhisstepwaslikethatofacow,andwhenreleasedhewentblunderingendonthroughthewoodslikeafestiveavalanche.HughJohn'sfather,forreasonsofhisown,persistedincallinghim"ThePotwallopingElephant."

So,havingassuredhimselfthatCæsarwouldnotbark,theboydroppedtotheground,takingtheroofofthedog-kennelontheway.Cæsarstirred,rolledhimselfround,andcameoutbreathinghard,andthump-thumpingHughJohn'slegswithhisthicktail,withdistinctlyaudibleblows.

Thenwhenheunderstoodthathewasnottobetaken,hesatdownattheextremityofhischainandregardedhismasterwistfullythroughthegloomwithhisheadupononeside;andasHughJohntookhiswaydowntheavenue,Cæsarmoanedalittle,intoninghissenseofinjuryanddisappointmentastheparsondoesalitany.

AtthefirstturnoftheroadHughJohnhadjusttimetodartasideintothegreen,acrid-scented,leathery-leavedshrubbery,wherehelaycrouchedwithhishandsonhiskneesandhisheadthrustforward,whileTomthekeeperwentslowlybywithhisarmaboutJaneHousemaid'swaist.

[Illustration:"WAITTILLTHENEXTTIMEYOUWON'TLENDMETHEFERRET,TOMCANNON!O-HO,JANEHOUSEMAID,WILLYOUTELLMYFATHERTHENEXTTIMEITAKEYOURDUSTSCOOP?"]

"Aha!"chuckledHughJohn;"waittillthenexttimeyouwon'tlendmetheferret,TomCannon!O-ho,JaneHousemaid,willyoutellmyfatherthenexttimeItakeyourdustscoopouttothesand-holetohelpdigtrenches?Ithinknot!"

AndHughJohnhuggedhimselfinhispleasureathavinganewweaponsoadmirablydouble-barrelled.Helookeduponthefolliesoflove,asmanifestedintheservants'hallandupontheoutskirtsofthevillage,assomuchexcellentmaterialbywhichawisemanwouldnot

failtoprofit.JanetSheepshankswasverysevereonsuchdelinquencies,andhisfather--well,HughJohnfeltthatTomCannonwouldnotwishtoappearbeforehismasterinsuchaconnection.Hehadavagueremembranceofacertainlookhehadonceseenonhisfather'sfacewhenAllanChestney,thehead-keeper,cameoutfromMr.PictonSmith'sworkroomwiththesewordsringinginhisear,"Now,sir,youwilldoasItellyou,orIwillgiveyouacharacter--_but_,suchacharacterasyouwillcarrythroughtheworldwithyou,andwhichwillbeburiedwithyouwhenyoudie."

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AllanwasnowmarriedtoJemima,whohadoncebeencookatthehouseofWindyStandard.HughJohnwentovertotheircottageoftentoeatherdeliciouscakes;andwhenAllancameinfromthewoods,hiswifeorderedhimtotakeoffhisdirtybootsbeforeheenteredhercleankitchen.ThenAllanChestneywouldre-enterandplaysubmissivelyandfurtivelywithPattyPans,theirtwo-year-oldchild,shiftinghischairobedientlywheneverCookJemimatoldhim.Butallthesame,HughJohnfeltdimlythatthesethingswouldnothavehappened,saveforthelookonhisfather'sfacewhenAllanChestneywentintoseehimthatdayinthegrimpine-boardedworkroom.

So,muchlightenedinhismindbyhisdiscovery,HughJohntookhiswaydowntheavenue.Atthefootofit,andbeforehecametothelockedwhitegateandthecottageofBetty,heturnedasidethroughacopse,overalittlegreenpatchofswardonwhichhisfeetslidsmoothasvelvet.Aharesatontheedgeofthis,withherfore-feetintheair.ShewasforthemomentsoastonishedatHughJohn'sappearancethatitwasanappreciableperiodoftimebeforesheturned,andwithaquick,sidelongrushdisappearedintothewood.Hecouldhearthesoughingrushoftheriverbelowhim,whichtookdifferentkeysaccordingtothethicknessofthetreecopseswhichwerefoldedaboutit;nowsinginggailythroughthethinbirchesandrowans;anonhummingmorehoarselythroughthealders;againrustlingandwhisperingmysteriouslythroughthegreyshiverypoplars;and,

lastofall,comingup,dullandsullen,throughtheheavyoakwoods,whosebroadleavescoverallnoisesunderneaththemasablanketmufflesspeech.

HughJohnskirtedtherivertillhecametothestepping-stones,whichhecrossedwitheasyconfidence.Heknewthem--high,low,Jack,andgame,liketheroofsofhisfather'southouses.Hecouldjustaseasilyhavegoneacrossblindfold.

Thenhemadehiswayoverthewide,yellowish-greyspacesofthecastleisland,avoidingthecopsesofwillowanddwarfbirch,andthesandy-bottomed"bunkers,"whicheverandanongleamedupbeforehimlikebigtawnyeyesoutoftheduskygrey-greenoftheshortgrass.

Afteralittlethewallsoftheoldcastlerosegrimlybeforehim,andhecouldhearthestarlingsscoldingoneanothersleepilyhighupinthecrevices.Ablack-cappipedwistfullyamongthesedgesofthewatermarsh.HughJohnhadoftenheardthattheruinwashaunted,andcertainlyhealwaysheldhisbreathashepassedit.Butnowhewasonduty,and,ifneedhadbeen,hewouldthatnighthavedescendedtothedeepestdungeon,andfacedafullBanquo-boardofblood-bolteredghosts.

CHAPTERXI.

ENEMY'SCOUNTRY.

Hepresentlycametothewoodenbridgeandcrossedit.Hewasnowontheoutskirtsofthetown,andinenemy'scountry.So,morefrometiquettethanprecaution,hetooktheshelterofawall,glidedthroughaplantation,amongthewithyrootsofwhichhisfootpresentlycaughtinabrass"grin,"orrabbit'ssnare.HughJohngrubbeditupgratefullyandpocketedit.Hehadnoobjections

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whatevertospoilingtheEgyptians.

HewasnowinbutcherDonnan'spastures,wheremanyfore-doomedsheep,inalltheblissofignorance,waitedtheirturnstobemadeintomutton.VeryanxiouslyHughJohnscrutinisedeachone.HewanderedroundandroundtillhehadmadecertainthatDonaldwasnotthere.

Atthefootofthepasturewerecertainblack-pitchedwoodenshedssetinasquare,withalittleyardlikeachurchpewinthemidst.Somewherehere,heknew,sleptDonnan'sslaughterman,anditwaspossiblethatinthisplaceDonaldmightbeheldincaptivity.

Nowitwasanaccomplishmentofourhero'sthathecouldbleatlikeanykindofsheep--exceptperhapsanoldtup,forwhichhisvoicewasasyettooshrill.Inhappy,idledayshehadelaboratedacodeofsignalswithDonald,andwaswellaccustomedtocommunicatingwithhimfromhisbedroomwindow.Sonowhecrouchedintheduskofthehedge,andsaid"Maa-aaa!"inatoneofreproach.

Instantlyalittleansweringbleatcamefromtheblacksheds,asoundwhichmadeHugh'sheartbeatfaster.Stillhecouldnotbequitesure.Hethereforebleatedagainmorepleadingly,andagaintherecamebacktheanswer,chokedandfeebleindeed,butquiteobviouslythevoiceofhisowndearDonald.HughJohncastprudencetothewinds.Heraced

roundandclimbedthebarsintotheenclosure,callingloudly,"Donald!Donald!"

Buthardlyhadhisfeettouchedthegroundwhenacoupleofdogsflewathimfromthecorneroftheyard,andhehadscarcelytimetogetonthetopofastonewallbeforetheywereclamouringandyelpingbeneathhim.HughJohncrouchedonhis"hunkers"(ashecalledthepostureinwhichonesitsonawallwhenhostiledogsareleapingbelow),andseizingalargecoping-stonehedroppeditasheavilyashecouldontheheadofthenearerandmoredangerous.Ahowlmostlamentableimmediatelyfollowed.Thenaman'svoicecried,"Down,Towser!What'sthematter,Grip?Sic'them!Gooddogs!"

Itwasthevoiceoftheslaughterman,rousedfromhisslumbers,andinfearoftrampsorothermidnightmaraudersuponhismaster'spremises.

Hughranonallfoursalongthewalltothenearestpointofthewoods,droppedover,andwithaleaping,anxiousheartspedinthedirectionofhome.Hecrossedthebridgeinsafety,butasheranacrosstheislandhecouldhearthedogsuponthetrailandtheencouragingshoutsofhispursuer.Theblackloomingcastlefellswiftlybehindhim.Nowhewasatthestepping-stones,overwhichheseemedtofloatratherthanleap,socompletelyhadfearaddedtohisusualstrengthwingsofswiftness.

Butatthefarthersidethedogswerecloseuponhim.Hewasobliged

toclimbacertainlowtree,wherehehadoftensatdanglinghislegsandswinginginthebrancheswhileheallowedPrissytoreadtohim.

Thedogsweresoonunderneath,andhecouldseethemleapingupwardwithsnappingwhiteteethwhichgleamedunpleasantlythroughthedarkness.Buttheirfuriousbarkingwaspromptlyanswered.HughJohncouldhearaheavytreadapproachingamongthedensefoliageofthetrees.Adarkformsuddenlyappearedinthegladeandpoisedsomethingatitsshoulder.--Flash!Therecameadeafeningreport,thethreshofleadendrops,ahowlofpainfromthedogs,andbothofthemtook

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theirwaybacktowardsthetownwithnotafewbirdshotintheirflanks.

HughJohn'sheartstoodstillasthedarkfigureadvanced.Hefeareditmightprovetobehisfather.InsteaditwasTomCannon,andthebravescoutonthetreeheavedasighofrelief.

"Who'supthere?"criedtheunder-keepergruffly;"comedownthismomentandshowyourself,youdirtypoacher,orbyHeavenI'llshootyousitting!"

"Allright,Tom,I'mcomingasfastasIcan,"saidHughJohn,beginningtoclamberdown.

"Heavensandearth,MasterHugh--whatbeyoudoinghere?Whateverwillmastersay?"

"Hewon'tsayanything,forhewon'tknow,TomCannon."saidHughJohnconfidently.

"Ohyes,hewill,"saidthekeeper."Iwon'thaveyoubringingapackofdogsintomycoversattwelveoftheclock--blowmeifIwill!"

"Well,youwon'ttellmyfather,anyway!"saidHughJohncalmly,

dustinghimselfaswellashecould.

"Andwhynot?"askedthekeeperindignantly.

"'Causeifyoudo,I'lltellwhereIsawyoukissingJaneHousemaidanhourago!"

Nowthiswasatonceaguessandanexaggeration.HughJohnhadnotseenallthis,buthefeltratherthanknewthatthepermittedarmaboutJaneHousemaid'swaistcouldhavenootherculmination.Alsohehadavaguesensethatthiswasthemostirritatingthinghecouldsayinthecircumstances.

AtanyrateTomCannonfairlygaspedwithastonishment.Adouble-jointedwordslippedbetweenhisteeth,whichsoundedlike"Hangthatboy!"Atlasthisseethingthoughtsfoundutterance.

"YouyoungimpofSatan--itain'ttrue,anyway."

"Allright,youcantellmyfatherthat!"saidHughJohncoolly,feelingthestrengthofhisposition.

TomCannonwasnotmuchfrightenedforhimself,buthedidnotwishtogetJaneHousemaidintoanytrouble,for,ashewellknew,thatyoungwomanhadomittedtoaskforleaveofabsence.Soheonlysaid,"Allright,it'snoneofmybusinessifyouwanderovereveryacre,and

breakyourneckoffeverytreeontheblameestate.Butyou'dbetterbegettinghomebeforemastercomesoutandcatchesyouhimself!Thenyou'deatstrap,mylad!"

Sohavingremadethepeace,TomescortedHughJohnbacktothedogkennelwithgreatgoodnature,andevengavehimaleguptotheroofabovethepalaceofCæsar.

HughJohnpausedasheputonefootintothebedroom,heavyandyethomelikewiththenightsmellofasleepinghouse.ToadyLionhad

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fallenoutofbedandlay,stillwithhisblanketwrappedroundhimlikeamartialcloak,halfunderhiscotandhalfonthefloor.Butthishedideveryothernight.Prissywasbreathingquietlyinthenextroom.Allwassafe.

HughJohncalledsoftlydown,"Tom,Tom!"

"Whatnow?"returnedthekeeper,whohadbeenspyingalongthetopwindowstodistinguishacertainonedeartohisheart.

"Isay,Tom--I'lltellJaneHousemaidto-morrowthatyou'reaproperbrick."

"Thank'ee,sir!"saidTom,salutinggravelyandturningoffacrossthelawntowardsthe"bothy,"whereamongthepinewoodshekepthisowl-hauntedbachelorquarters.

CHAPTERXII.

MOBILISATION.

Generallyspeaking,HughJohndespisedSammyCarter--first,becausehecouldlickhimwithonehand,and,secondly,becauseSammyCarterwasacleverboyandcoulddiscoverwaysofgettingevenwithoutlickinghim.Cleverboysareallcheekyandneedhammering.Besides,SammyCarterwasinlovewithPrissy,andeveryoneknewwhatthatmeant.ButthenSammyCarterhadasister,Cissybyname,andshewasquiteadifferentrowofbeans.

Furthermore,SammyCarterreadbooks--adegradingpursuit,unlesstheyhadtodowithsoldiering,andespeciallywiththewarsofNapoleon,HughJohn'sgreatancestor.Inaddition,Sammykneweverydatethatwas,andwouldputyourightinaminuteifyousaidthatBannockburn

happenedafterWaterloo,oranylittlethinglikethat.AdispositionsoperverseasthiscouldonlybecuredwithawicketorwithHughJohn'sfoot,andourherofrequentlyappliedbothcorrections.

ButCissyCarter--ah!nowtherewasagirlifyoulike.Shenevertroubledaboutsuchthings.ShecouldnotrunsofastasPrissy,butthenshehadaperfectcolt'smaneofhair,blackandglossy,whichflewoutbehindherwhenshedid.Moreover,shehabituallydidwhatHughJohntoldher,andburnedmuchincenseathisshrine,sothatmodestyouthapprovedofher.ItwasofherhefirstthoughtwhenhesetaboutorganisinghisarmyfortheassaultupontheBlackSheds,where,likeHoferatMantua,thegallantDonaldlayinchains.

ButitwaswritteninthechroniclesofOaklandsthatCissyCartercouldnotbeallowedovertheriverwithoutSammy,soSammywouldhavetobepermittedtojointoo.HughJohnresolvedthathewouldkeephiseyeverysharplyuponPrissyandSammyCarter,fortheabandonedpairhadbeenknowntocomposepoetryintheheatofanengagement,andeventoreadtheircompositionstooneanotheronthesly.ForthismisdemeanourPrissywouldcertainlyhavebeencourt-martialled,onlythathersuperiorofficercouldnotcatchheratthetime.Butthewickeddidnotwhollyescape,forHughJohntuggedherhairafterwardstillshecried;whereatJanetSheepshanks,comingsuddenlyuponhim

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andcorneringhim,spankedhimtill_he_cried.Hecriedsolelyasameasureofmilitarynecessity,becauseitwasthereadiestwayofgettingJanettostop,andalsobecausethatdayJanetworeanewpairofslippers,withheelsuponwhichHughJohnhadnotbeencounting.SohecriedtillhegotoutofJanet'sreach,whenheputouthistongueatherandsaid,"Hum-m!Thoughtyouhurt,didn'tyou?Well,itjustdidn'tabit!"

AndSirToadyLion,whowasfeedinghissecond-bestwoodenhorseswithwildsand-oatsgatheredgreen,remarked,"WhenIhavechildwensIsailbeatthemwifabigbootandtacketsintheheel."

WhichvoicedwithgreatprecisionJanetSheepshanks'moodatthatmoment.

ThearmyofWindyStandard,then,whenfullymustered,consistedofGeneral-Field-MarshalNapoleonSmith,Commander-in-ChiefandregimentalSergeant-Major(also,onoccasionsofparade,BigBig-Drummer);Adjutant-GeneralCissyCarter,promotedtoherpresenthighpositionforalwaysagreeingwithhersuperiorofficer--asaferuleinmilitarypolitics;Commissariat-SergeantSirToadyLion,whodeclinedanyotherpostthanthecareoftheprovisions,andhadtobeconciliated;togetherwithPrivatesSammyCarterandPrissySmith.SammyCarterhadformerlybeenAdjutant,becausehehadapony,but

gallantlyresignedinordertobeofthesamerankasPrissy,whowasthesolememberoftheforcewhollywithoutmilitaryambition.

AttheimposingreviewwhichwasheldontheplainsofWindyStandard,theCommander-in-Chiefinsistedoncarryingthebluebannerhimself,aswellasthebig-bigdrum,tillSammyCarter,whohadnotyetresigned,offeredhimhisponytorideupon.Thishedidwithguileandmaliceaforethought,foronthedrumbeingelevatedinfrontofthemountedofficer,Polopromptlyranaway,anddepositedGeneral-Field-MarshalSmithinthehorsepond.

[Illustration:"DEPOSITEDGENERAL-FIELD-MARSHALSMITHINTHEHORSEPOND."]

Butthisforce,thoughofficeredwithconsummateability,wasmanifestlyinsufficientfortheattackupontheBlackSheds.ThiswaswellshownbySammyCarter,whoalsopointedoutthatthearmiesofallageshadneverbeenexclusivelycomposedofthoseofnoblebirth.Therewere,forexample,atBannockburn,theknights,theesquires,thesturdyyeomanry,thespearmen,thebowmen,andthecamp-followers.Headvisedthatthestableboys,MikeandPeter,shouldbeapproached.

Nowtheheadstableboy,MikeO'Donellybyname,wasascionofthenoblestBourbonrace.Hisfatherwasanexile,whospokethelanguagewithastrongforeignaccent,anddroveafishcart--whichalsohadapronouncedaccent,reputeddeadlyuptofiftyyardswithafavourable

wind.

"Foinefrishhirrings--foiveforsixpince!"wasthewayhesaidit.Thisprovedtodemonstrationthathecamefromafarland,andwasthedescendantofkings.Whentaxeddirectlywithbeingtheheirtoacrown,hedidnotdenyit,butsaid,"Yus,MastherSmith,wanstIhadacrown,butIlostit.'TwastheRedLion,badscrantout,thatdidthedeed!"

Nowthiswasevidentlyonlyapicturesqueandregalwayofreferring

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tothebloodyrevolutionbywhichKingMichaelO'Donowitchhadbeendethronedandreducedtodrivingafish-cart--theold,oldstory,doubtless,ofroyallicenseandpopularingratitude.ButtherewasnosuchromanticmysteryaboutPeterGreg.Hewassimplyjuniorstableboy,andhisfatherwasgeneralutilityman--or,asitwasmoregenerallycalled,"oddman,"abouttheestateofWindyStandard.Peteroccupiedmostofhistimeinkeepingoneeyeonhisworkandtheotheronhisfather,who,ongeneralutilityprinciples,"welted"himeverytimethathecaughthim.Thisexercise,andhisotheroccupationofperpetualfisticuffswithPrinceMikeO'Donelly,hadsodevelopedhismusclesandtrainedhismind,thathecouldlickanyothertwoboysofhissizeintheparish.Hesaidsohimself,andheusuallyhadatleastoneblackeyetoshowforit.Sonoonecontradictedhim,and,indeed,whohadabetterrighttoknow?

PrinceMichaelO'Donowitch(theimprovementinstylewasSammyCarter's)putthematterdifferently.Hesaid,"IcanlickPeterGregtillhecan'tstand"("shtand"washowtheroyalexilepronouncedit),"butPeteran'mecanknockthestuffin'outofanyhalf-dozenspalpeensinthisdirthycounthry."

BothMikeandPeterreceivedcommissionsinthearmyatthesamemoment.Theceremonytookplaceatthefootofthegreathaymowatthebackofthestableyard.Inviewofhisnobleancestry,Prince

MichaelO'Donowitchwasmadeamajor-general,andPeteralieutenantofmarines.Thenewlyappointedofficersinstantlyclinched,fellheadlong,rolledoverandoveroneanother,pommelledeachother'sheads,bit,scratched,andkickedtillthehayandstrawflewinalldirections.

Whenthedustfinallyclearedaway,PeterwasfoundsittingastrideofPrinceMichael,andshouting,"Areyouthegeneral-major,oramI?"

Thenwhentheyhadrisentotheirfeetanddustedthemselves,itwasfoundthatthedistinguishedofficershadexchangedcommissions,andthatPeterGreghadbecomemajor-general,whilePrinceMichaelO'Donowitchwaslieutenantofmarines,withanewandpromisingblack

eye!

[Illustration:"GENERALSOFDIVISION,EQUALINRANK."]

Butatthefirstdrill,uponGeneralPeterissuingsomecomplicatedorder,suchas"Attention!eyesright!"LieutenantO'Donowitchremarked,"Meeyesisasroightasyours,yedirthybasteavaScotchy!"Whereupon,astheresultofanotherappealtoarms,theformerjudgmentwasreversed,andPrinceMichaelregainedhiscommissionatthepriceofanotherblackeye.Indeedhewouldhavehadthree,butforthefactthatthenumberofhiseyeswassomewhatstrictlylimitedtotwo.

Nowitwasfeltbyallpartiesthatinawell-disciplinedarmysuchtransitionswerealtogethertoosudden,andsoacompromisewassuggested--asusualbySammyCarter.PrinceMichaelandPeterGregwerebothmadegeneralsofdivision,equalinrank,underField-MarshalSmith.ThedivisioncommandedbyGeneralPeterwascomposedofCissyandSirToadyLion.Thecommandofthisfirstdivisionproved,however,tobepurelynominal,forCissywasmuchtoointimatewiththeCommander-in-Chieftobeorderedabout,andasforToadyLionhewassohighmindedandirresponsiblethathequitedeclinedtoobeyanybodywhatsoever.Still,thetitlewasthething,

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and"thedivisionofGeneralPeterGreg"soundedverywell.

Theotherdivisionwasmuchmoresubordinate.PrissyandSammyCarterweretheonlygenuineprivates,andtheywerequitereadytobecommandedbyGeneralMike,Prissyuponconscientiousnon-resistanceprinciples,andSammywithasomewhathumorousasidetohisfellow-soldierthatitwouldn'tbeverybad,becauseMike'sfather(theroyalfish-hawker)livedonSammy'sancestraldomain,andowedmoneytoMr.DavenantCarter.

ThuseventheirondisciplineofaBritisharmyistemperedtothesacredpropertyholder.

TheimmediateadvanceofthearmyofWindyStandardupontheBlackShedswasonlyhinderedbyasomewhatseriousindispositionwhichsuddenlyattackedtheCommander-in-Chief.Thefactswerethese.

Attachedtothecastle,butlyingbetweenitandthestepping-stonesonthesteepsideofthehill,wasanancientenclosedorchard.Ithaddoubtlessbeentheoriginalgardenofthefortress,butthetreeshadgonebacktotheirprimitive"crabbiness"(asHughJohnputit),andinconsequencethechildrenwereforbiddentoeatanyofthefruit--anorderwhichmightjustaswellnothavebeenissued.ButonadayitwasreportedtoJanetSheepshanksthatPrissyandHughJohnwerein

thecraborchard.Ontip-toeshestoledowntocatchthem.ShecaughtHughJohn.Prissywasupinoneoftheoldestandleafiesttrees,andHughJohn,asinhonourbound,persistentlymadesignalsinanotherdirectiontodistractattention,ashewasbeinghauledofftocondignpunishment.

Hehadanhourtowaitinthestudyforhisfather,whowasawayatthecountytown.DuringthistimeHughJohnsufferedstrangequalms,notofapprehension,whichpresentlyissuedinyetkeenerandmoredefinitelylocatedagony.AtlastMr.PictonSmithentered.

"Well,sir,andwhatisthisIhear?"hesaidseverely,throwingdownhisriding-whiponthecouchasifhemeanttopickitupagainsoon.

HughJohnwassilent.HesawthathisfatherknewalltherewastoknowabouthisevildoingsfromJanetSheepshanks,andhewasfartoowisetopleadguilty.

"DidInottellyounottogototheorchard?"

HughJohnhunghishead,andmadeaslightgrimaceatthepatternonthecarpet,asasevererpangthananythathadgonebeforeassailedhim.

"Now,lookhere,sir,"saidhisfather,shakinghisfingerathiminasolemnisingmanner,"IfeverIcatchyouagaininthatorchard,

I'll--I'llgiveyouassoundathrashing,sir,aseveryougotinyourlife."

HughJohnrubbedhishandacrosshisbodyjustabovethesecondlowestbuttonofhisjacket.

"Oh,father,"hesaidplaintively,"IwishdreadfullythatyouhadcaughtmebeforethelasttimeIwasintheorchard."

Thetreatmentwithpillsandrhubarbwhichfollowedconsiderably

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retardedtheoperationsofthearmyofWindyStandard.Itwasnotthefirsttimethatthestomachofacommander-in-chiefhashadanappreciableeffectontheconductofacampaign.

CHAPTERXIII.

THEARMYOFWINDYSTANDARD.

Atlast,however,allwasready,inthehistoricalphraseofNapoleontheLittle,"tothelastgaiter-button."

ItwastheintentionoftheCommander-in-Chieftoattackthecitadeloftheenemywithbannersflying,andafterduenotice.Hehadbeenpractisingfordaysuponhisthree-keybugleinordertogivethecallofChildeRoland.ButPrivateSammyCarter,whowasalwaysstickinghisoarin,puthimuponwiserlines,and(whatismore)diditsoquietlyandsuggestivelythatGeneralNapoleonwassoonconvincedthatSammy'splanwashisown,andontheseconddayboastedofitsmeritstoitsoriginalbegetter,whodidnotevensmile.Thelikehashappenedingreaterarmieswithgeneralsasdistinguished.

SammyCarteradvisedthattheassaultshouldbedeliveredbetweeneightandnineinthemorning,fortheverygoodreasonsthatatthathourboththebutcher'sapprentice,TommyPratt,andtheslaughtermanwouldbebusydeliveringtheforenoonorders,whilethebutcher'sson,NipperDonnan,wouldbeatschool,andtheBlackShedsconsequentlyentirelydeserted.

AtfirstHughJohnrebelled,andassertedthatthiswasnotasportsmanlikemodeofproceeding,butSammyCarter,whoalwaysknewmoreabouteverythingthanwasgoodforanybody,overwhelmedhischiefwithexamplesofstrategiesandsurprisesfromthemilitaryhistoryofthirtycenturies.

"Besides,"saidhe,somewhatpertinently,"let'sgetDonaldbackfirst,andthenwecanbechivalrousallyouwant.PerhapstheyarekeepinghimtofattenhimupfortheOddCoons'BankHolidayFeast."

This,asthewilySammyknew,wascalculatedtostirupthewrathofhisgeneralmorethananythingelsehecouldsay.ForattheannualBeanFeastoftheHonourableCompanyofOddCoons,abenefitsecretsocietyofconvivialhabits,asheepwasannuallyroastedwhole.Itsaidanoxontheprogramme,buttheactualresult,curiouslyenough,wasmuttonandnotbeef.

"Weattackto-morrowatdaybreak,"saidField-MarshalSmithgrandly,

assoonasSammyCarterhadfinishedspeaking.

This,however,hadsubsequentlytobemodifiedtonineo'clock,tosuitthebreakfasthouroftheCarters.MoreoverSaturdaywassubstitutedforTuesday,bothbecauseCissyandSammycouldmosteasily"shirk"theirgovernessonthatday,andbecauseMr.PictonSmithwasknowntobegoinguptoLondonbythenighttrainonFriday.

Onsuchtrivialcircumstancesdogreateventsdepend.

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Whenthearmywasfinallymusteredfortheassault,itsarmamentwasfoundtobesomewhatvaried,thoughgenerallyefficient.Buttheneveninlargerarmiestheweaponsofthedifferentarmsoftheservicearefarfromuniform.Thereare,forexample,riflesandbayonetsfortheLine,lancesfortheLightHorse,carbines,sabres,andarmybiscuits,alldeadlyaftertheirkind.

SoitwasinthecampaigningoutfitoftheforcesofWindyStandard.Thehistoriancanonlyhintatthisequipment,sostrangewerethevariouskits.TheCommander-in-Chiefwishedtoinsistonaredsashandalongcut-and-thrustsword,with(ifpossible)akettle-drum.Butthiswasfoundimpracticableasageneralorder.Fornotonlydidthetwodivisionalcommandersdeclinetosubmittothesash,buttherewerenotenoughkettle-drumsintacttogomorethanhalfround.

SoGeneralSmithwastheonlysoldierwhocarriedarealsword.Hehadalsoapistol,which,however,obstinatelyrefusedtogooff,butformedavaluableweaponwhenheldbythebarrel.Cissywasfurnishedwithapike,constructedbyPrinceMichael'sfather,thedethronedmonarchofO'Donowitch-dom,outofaleisterorfish-spear--which,strangelyenough,hehadcarriedawaywithhimfromhispalaceatthetimeofhisexile.Thisconstitutedareallyformidablearmament,beingatleastfivefeetlong,andsosharpthatifyouranveryhardagainstasoftwoodendoorwithit,itmadeamarkwhichyoucouldsee

quiteayardoffinagoodlight.

Prissyhadacarpet-broomwithalonghandle,whichatadistancelookedlikeagun,andasPrissymeanttodoallherfightingatadistancethiswasquitesufficient.Inadditionshehadthreepiecesoftwinetotieupherdress,sothatshewouldbereadytorunawayuntrammelledbyflappingskirts.SirToadyLionwasequippedforwarwithathimble,threestickybull's-eyes,thehaftofaknife(butnoblade),adog-whistle,andago-cartwithoneshaft,allofwhichprovedexceedinglyuseful.

ThetwoGeneralsofDivisionwereattiredinneatstableclotheswithbuttonedleggings,andputtheirtrustinapairof"catties"

(otherwiseknownascatapults),twostoutshillelahs,thenationalbatonsoftheexiledprince,manufacturedbyhimself;and,mostvaluableofall,aseta-pieceofhornyknuckles,whichtheyhadkeptinconstantpracticeagainsteachotherallthroughthepipingtimesofpeace.BothMikeandPeterknowinglychewedstrawsinoppositecornersoftheirmouths.

Theforcesontheothersidewerequiteunknown,bothastonumberandquality.HughJohnmaintainedthattherewereatleasttwenty,andToadyLionstoutlyproclaimedthattherewereamillionthousand,andthathehadseenandcountedthemeveryone.Butastrictercensus,instituteduponevidenceledbyPrivateSammyCarter,couldnotgetbeyondhalf-a-dozen.Sothatthedisproportionwasnotsogreatas

mighthavebeensupposed.StillthesiegeoftheShedswasfelttobeofthenatureofaforlornhope.

ItwasarrangedthatallwhodistinguishedthemselvesfordeedsofvalourweretoreceivetheVictoriaCross,adecorationwhichhadbeencutbyHughJohnoutofthetopsofginger-beerbottleswithacoldchisel.Assoon,however,asSirToadyLionheardthis,hesatdowninthedustoftheroadside,andsimplyrefusedtobudgetillhisgrievanceswereredressed.

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"IwantsVictowyaCyoss_now_!"heremarked,withhisfather'swrinkleofdeterminationbetweentheeyesshowingveryplain,asitalwaysdidwhenhewantedanythingverymuch.

ForwhenToadyLionaskedforathing,likethepersonintheadvertisement,hesawthathegotit.

Invainitwaspointedouttohimthatthisill-advisedactionconstitutedrankmutiny,andthathewasliabletobearrested,triedbycourt-martial,andignominiouslyshot.ToadyLionknewallaboutmutiny,andcarednothingaboutcourts-martial.Besides,hehadhadsomeexperience,andheknewthevalueof"makingoneselfanuisance"inarmymatters.

EquallyinvainwasSammyCarter'shumorouslyfalseinformationthathehadbetterrun,forherewasJanetcominguptheroadwithanawfulbiggystick.

"Don'tcareforJanet,"reiteratedToadyLion."IwantsVictowyaCyoss--Iwantsit_now!_"

Sothereupontheroadside,attheveryoutsetofthecampaign,SirToadyLionwasdecoratedwiththemuchcoveted"ForValour"cross.

Andhewouldbeaboldmanwhowouldsaythathedidnotdeserveit.

CHAPTERXIV.

THEBATTLEOFTHEBLACKSHEDS.

Thismuchbeingsettled,thearmyofWindyStandardadvancedupontheenemy'sentrenchments.

Prissywastheonlysoldierintheforcewithanyreligiousconvictionsofapracticalkind.Onthisoccasionsheactuallywantedtosendamissiontothefoewithanofferofpeace,onconditionoftheirgivingupDonaldtohisrightfulowners.Sheinstancedasanexampleofthekindofthingshemeant,theversesaboutturningtheothercheek.ButGeneralNapoleonhadhisanswerready.

"Well,"hesaid,"that'sallright.That'sintheBible,soIs'poseyouhavegottobelieveit.ButIwaslookingatitlastSundayinsermontime,anditdoesn'tsaywhatyouaretodo_after_youturntheothercheek.SoyesterdayItrieditonTommyPratttoseehowitworked,andhehitmeontheothercheeklikewinking,andmademyeyeswater.SothenItookoffmycoat,and,Jove!--didn'tIjustgive

himBilly-O!Textsaren'tsobad.Theyaremostlyallright,ifyouonlyreadonabit!"

"But,"saidPrissy,"perhapsyouforgotthatasoftanswerturnethawaywrath?"

"Don't,nother,"contradictedSirToadyLion,whosepronunciationof"wrath"and"horse"wasidentical,andwhopersistentlymisunderstoodtheScripturalstatementwhichJanetSheepshankshadoncemadehimlearnwithoutexplanation."Triedsoftansweronbighorseinthe

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farm-yard,yesterday,andhedidn'tturnawayalittlebit,butcomedrighton,andtriedtoeatme_all_up!"

ToadyLionalwayshadatleastonewordinitalicsineachsentence.

Prissylookedtowardsherallyandfellow-privateforassistance.

"Loveyour----"suggestedSammy,givingheranewcue.Prissythankedhimwithalook.

"Well,"shesaid,"atleastyouwon'tdenythatitsaysintheNewTestamentthatyouaretoloveyourenemies!"

"Idon'tyiketheNewTest'ment,"commentedToadyLioninhisshrillhighpipe,whichcutsthroughallotherconversationaseasilyasasharpknifecleavesabarofsoap;"ain'tnevernobodykilleddeadintheNewTest'ment!"

"Hush,ArthurGeorge,"saidPrissyinashockedvoice,"youmustnotspeaklikethatabouttheNewTestament.Itsays'Loveyourenemies!''Dogoodtothemthathateyou!'Nowthen!"

HughJohnturnedawaywithadisgustedlookonhisface.

"Oh,"hesaid,"ofcourse,ifyouweretogoonlikethat,therewouldneverbeanysoldiers,norbloodywars,nornothingnice!"

Whichofcoursewouldbeabsurd.

*****

DuringthisdiscussionthetwoGeneralsofDivisionhadbeenwhollysilent.TothemtheNewTestamentwasconsiderablyoutsidethesphereofpracticalpolitics.PeterGregindeedhadonewhichhehadgotfromhismotheronhisbirthdaywithhisnameonthefirstpage;andMike,whowasofthecontrarypersuasionastotheadvisabilityofcirculatingtheWrittenWordinthevulgartongue,couldalways

provokeafightbythreateningtoburnit,towhichPeterGreginvariablyrepliedbyahastyandungenerousexpressionofhopeastothefuturewelfareoftheheadoftheCatholicreligion.

Butallthiswaspurelyacademicaldiscussion.Neitherofthemknewnorcaredonejotaboutthematter.Prissyalonewasgenuinelydistressed,andsoaffectedwasshethattwobigtearsofwoetrickleddownhercheeks.Theseshewipedoffwithherpinafore,turningawayhereyessothatHughJohnmightnotseethem.Therewas,however,nogreatdangerofthis,forthatwarriorpreoccupiedhimselfwithshouting"Right-left,Right-left,"asifheweremateriallyassistingthesuccessoftheexpeditionbydoingso.

AttheentrancetothepasturestenantedbybutcherDonnan,thearmydividedintoitstwodivisionsundertheirseveralcommanders.TheCommander-in-Chiefplacedhimselfbetweenthewingsasacentraldivisionallbyhimself.ItwasPeterGregwhofirstreachedthedoor,andwithhisstoutcudgelknockedoffthepadlock.Hehadalreadyenteredintriumph,andwasabouttobefollowedbyhissoldiery,whenaloudshoutwasheardfromtheedgeofthepark.

"Heretheyare--goatthem!Givethemfits,boys!We'lllearnthemtocomesneakingintoourfield."

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Andoverthestonedikes,fromthedirectionofthetownofEdam,cameanoverpoweringforceoftheenemyledbyNipperDonnan.Theyseemedtoarrivefromallpartsatonce,andwithsticksandstonestheyadvancedupontheslenderarrayoftheforcesofWindyStandard.Theirrudelanguage,theirthreateninggestures,andtheirloudshoutsintimidatedbutdidnotdaunttheassailants.Field-MarshalNapoleonSmithcalledonhismentodoordie;andeveryoneresolvedthatthatwasjustwhattheyweretherefor--allexceptPrissy,whopromptlypulledupherskirtsandwentdownthemeadowtowardsthestepping-stoneslikeajenny-spinnerdrivenbythewind,andSirToadyLion,who,findinganopeninginthehedgeabouthissizeinholes,creptquietlythroughandwasimmediatelyfollowedbyCæsar,the"potwalloping"Newfoundlandpup.

Thestrugglewhichragedaroundthosewhoremainedstaunchtothecolourswasgrimanddeadly.General-Field-MarshalNapoleonSmiththrewhimselfintothethickestofthefray,andthecry,"ASmithforMerryEngland,"alternatedwiththeringing"Scotlandforever!"whichhadsooftencarriedterrorintotheheartsofthefoe.PrinceMichaelO'Donowitchperformedprodigiesofvalour,andpersonally"downed"threeoftheenemywithhisnationalweapon.PeterGregfoughtapitchedbattlewithNipperDonnan,inwhichdouble-jointedwordswereasfreelyusedastightlyclenchedfists.CissyCarter"progged"at

leasthalf-a-dozenoftheenemywithherpike,beforeitwaswrestedfromherbytheunitedeffortsofseveraltownladswhowerenotgoingtostandbeingpunchedbyagirl.SammyCarterstoodwelloutoftheheadyfray,andcontentedhimselfwithstinginguptheenemywithhisvengefulcatapulttilltheyhowledagain.

[Illustration:"THEBATTLEOFTHEBLACKSHEDS."]

Butthestruggleofthemanyagainstthefew,thestrongagainsttheweak,couldonlyendinoneway.Intenminutestheforcesoflawanddisorderwerescatteredtothefourquartersofheaven,andthestandardthathadstreamedsorarelyonthebraesofEdamwasinthehandsoftheexultingfoe.

PrinceMichaelwaswoundedonthenosetotheeffusionofblood,GeneralPeterGregwasafugitivewithapriceonhishead,and,mostterribleofall--Field-MarshalNapoleonSmithwastakenprisoner.

*****

ButSirToadyLionwasneitheramongtheslain,noryetamongthewoundedorthecaptives.WhatthenofToadyLion?

CHAPTERXV.

TOADYLIONPLAYSAFIRSTLONEHAND.

SirToadyLionhadplayedalonehand.

Welefthimsittingbehindthehedge,secureasthegodsabovetheturmoilofbattle.Buthecouldnotbecontenttostaythere.HethoughtofRichardCoeur-de-Lion,hisgreatnamesakeandhero;and

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thoughhewantedtodonothingrash,hewasresolvedtojustifytheginger-beerlabelVictoriaCrosswhichheworesoproudlyonhisbreast.SohewaitedtilltheforcesofthetownhadsweptthoseofWindyStandardfromthefield.HesawontheedgeofthewoodHughJohn,resistingmanfullytothedeath,andstrikingoutinalldirections.ButToadyLionknewthathehadnoclearcalltosuchveryactiveexertions.

Cautiouslyhereturnedthroughhisholeinthehedge,andcrawlingroundtheoppositesideoftheBlackSheds,heenteredthedoorwhichPeterGreghadforcedwithhiscudgel,beforehehadbeeninterruptedbythearrivaloftheenemy.ToadyLionranthroughaslipperybyreinwhichcalveshadbeenstanding,andcametoaninnerdivisionwithalowdoorandacausewayedfloorlikeapig-pen.Heopenedthisgatebykickingupthehaspwiththetoeofhisboot,andfoundhimselfatonceintheinmostsanctuary.

Andthere,rightbeforehim,withacalf'shalterofropeabouthisneck,allhealthyandalive,wasDonald,hisowndear,black,petlambDonald,whogavealittlebleatofpuredelightuponseeinghim,andpulledvigorouslyattheropetogetloose.

"Quietnow,Donald!Ortheywillcomeback.Standstill,'oohorridlittlebeast'oo,tillIgettheropeoff!"

Andso,easingthenoosegradually,ToadyLionslippeditoverDonald'sheadandhewasfree.

Then,verycautiously,hisdelivererputhisheadroundthedoortoseethatthecoastwasclear.Notasoulwastobeseenanywhereonthepastures;soToadyLionslidoutandmadeforthegapinthehedge,surethatDonaldwouldfollowhim.Donalddidfollow,but,asluckwouldhaveit,nosoonerwashethroughthanCæsar,whohadbeenscrapingforimaginaryrabbitsattheothersideofthefield,camebarkingandrushingaboutoverthegrasslikearunawaytractionengine.

NowDonaldhatedbigdogs--theyruggedandtuggedhiswoolso;assoonthereforeashesawCæsarhetookdowntheleatowardstheislandashardashecouldgo.Hethunderedacrossthewoodenbridge,breakingthroughthefleeingforcesofWindyStandard,whichwerescatteredathwartthecastleisland.Hesprintedovertheshortturfbytheorchard,Cæsarlyingoffthirtyyardsonhisflank.Attheshallowsbythestepping-stonesDonaldsheepfullytookthewater,andwasnotlonginswimmingtotheotherside,theEdambeinghardlydeepenoughanywhereatthispointtotakehimoffhisfeet.InaminutemorehewasdelightedlynuzzlinghiswetnoseintothehandofJanetSheepshanks,ontheterraceofWindyStandardHouse.

"Wibeast,whaurhaeyecomefrae?--IdeclareIam_that_gladtosee

ye!"

ButhadsheknownthepricewhichhadbeenpaidforDonald'sliberty,herrejoicingwouldquicklyhavegivenplacetosorrow.Itwasmid-afternoononthedayofbattleanddefeatwhenToadyLionstraggledhome,sowetanddirtythathecouldonlybeslapped,bathedandsenttobed--which,intheabsenceofhisfather,wasfelttobeanutterlyinadequatepunishment.

Prissyhadlongagofledhomewithaterribletaleofbattle,murder,

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andsuddendeath.ButsheknewnothingofherbrotherHughJohn,thoughshehadnervedherselftogobacktotheBlackSheds,sufferinggrindingagoniesoffearandapprehensionthewhile,asalsoofreproachfordesertinghiminhishourofneed.MikeandPeterwerequietlyatworkinthestable,inmomentarydreadofbeingcalledupontogiveevidence.

TheCarters,SammyandCissy,hadrunstraighthome,andwereatthatmomentundoubtedlysmellingofarnicaandslimywithvaseline.ButtherewasnotraceoftheCommander-in-Chiefanywhere.General-Field-MarshalNapoleonSmithhadvanishedfromthefaceoftheearth.

[Illustration:"OH,THEBONNYLADDIE!"]

Tea-timecameandwent.Hehadbeenknowntobeabsentfromtea.Supper-timearrivedandoverpassed,andthenthewholehousegrewanxious.Teno'clockcame,andintheclearnortherntwilightallthehouseholdwerescatteredoverthecountrysideseekingforhim.Midnight,andnoHughJohn!Wherecouldhebe?DrownedintheEdamWater--killedbyachanceblowinthegreatbattle--orsimplyhidingfromfearofpunishmentandafraidtoventurehome?ItmusthavebeensomestrangerentirelyunacquaintedwithGeneralNapoleonSmithwhoadvocatedthelastexplanation.TheinmatesofWindyStandard

cherishednosuchfoolishhopes.

ThesunrosesoonaftertwoonasgloriousasummermorningasevershoneuponthehillsoftheBorder.AshisbeamsovershotBrownGattonsidetotheeasttheyfellonJanetSheepshanks.Herdecentwhitecapwasgreen-mouldedwiththemossofthewoods;thedripofwatersidecaveshadgrimedit,thecobwebsofmurkyouthousesfestoonedit.Herabundantgreyhairhungdowninuntendedwitchlocks.Shehadnotshutaneyenorlaindownallnight.

Nowsheleanedherheadonherhandsandsobbedaloud.

"Oh,thebonnyladdie!WhateverwillIsaytohisfaitherwhenhe

comeshame?Hisauldestsonandtheaippleo'hise'e!Mycertie,iftheill-setloonweretocomeuptheroadthenoo,Iwadthreshtheveryskinaffhisbanes!Tothinkthatheshouldbideawa'likethis.Oh,thedear,dearlambthatheis;andwillthaeaulde'ennevermairrestonhisbonnieface?Cauld,cauldnooitlooksupfraethebottomo'somepoolintheEdamWater!"

AndJanetSheepshanks,likeoneofthemothersinRamah,lifteduphervoiceandweptwiththeweepingwhichwillnotbecomforted;foroft-timesbairns'playbringsthatwhichisnotbairns'playtothosewholovethem.

CHAPTERXVI.

THESMOUTCHYBOYS.

GeneralNapoleonSmithhadbeentakencaptivebytheComancheCowboys.Nowitisfairtosayinthisplacethattheyalsohadtheirsideofthequestion.Theirfatherswere,intheirownopinion,strivingfor

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theancientrightsofthetownagainstaninterlopingSmith.WhyshouldnottheyagainstthesonofthatSmithandhisallies?ThedenunciationsoftheEdamTownCouncilwereonlytransformedintotheblowswhichraineddownsofreelyuponHughJohn'sbareandcurlyhead,ashestoodatbaythatSaturdaymorninginthecornerofthedike.

"Surrender!"criedNipperDonnan,whosefatherhadmovedthatthetownofEdamtakethecaseuptotheHouseofLords.

"'ASmithdiesbutdoesnotsurrender'!"repliedthesonofthemanwhohaddeclaredhisintentionoffightingthematteroutthoughittookhislastcopper.

Inthecalmatmosphereofthelaw-courtsthiswasverywell,andthecombatantsstoodaboutanequalchance;butnotsowhentranslatedintotermstosuittheBlackShedsofEdamandthelinksofthecastleisland.

Sothemany-headedswarmedoverthewallfrombehind;theystruckdownthelastbravedefenderofprivilege,andHughJohnPictonSmithwasborneawaytocaptivity.

Nowtherearemanytonguesandmanypeoplesonthefaceoftheearth,

anddoubtlesstheoneLordmadethemall.Butthereisonevarietywhichappearsamongallnations,andcommentatorsdisagreeastowhatparticularPowerisresponsibleforhiscreation.HeistheSmoutchyBoy.

Thisuniversalproductoftheraceisindeedthechiefevidencethatwearelineallyconnectedwiththebrutesthatperish;forthereisnodoubtthattheSmoutchyBoyisabruteamongbrutes.Heisatoncecruelandcowardly,boastfulandshy,readytostrikeaweaker,andequallyreadytocryoutwhenastrongerstrikeshim.Heisnotpeculiartoanyoneclassofsociety.Hefrequentsthebestpublic-schools,andisresponsiblefortheunder-currentofcrueltywhicheverandanonrisestothesurfacethereandsuppliesamonth's

freecopytoenterprisingjournalsinwantofasensationforthedullseason.Hemakessomeregimentsoftheserviceaterror.Heunderstandsallabout"hazing"inthenavy.Happily,however,amongsuchlargecollectionsofhumanbeingsthereisgenerallysomeclear-eyed,upstanding,able-bodied,long-armedOtherProductwho,bywayofcounterpoise,hasbeenspeciallycreatedtobethedefenderoftheoppressed,andthescourgeoftheSmoutchyBoy.

IhaveseenonesuchscatteradozenSmoutchies,whowereemployedaftertheirkindinstoningtodeathanestfuloffluffy,gaping,yellow-billedyoungblackbirds.IhaveheardthesoundofhisfistsstrikingmostcompactlyandsatisfactorilyagainstSmoutchyflesh.AlsoIknowthejarwithwhichafootstopssuddenlyinmid-air,as

theScourgepursuesandkicksthefleeingSmoutchy--kickshim"forkeeps"too.

YetforallthisSmoutchyBoyisamanandabrother.Hissmoutchinessgenerallypassesoffwiththecallownessofhobble-de-hoyhood.TheconditionisindeedratheroneforthedoctorthanforthePoliceCourt.Itispathologicalratherthancriminal;forwhentheSmoutchyisthrownforsometimeintothesocietyofmenoftheworld--drilledforinstanceinbarrackyards,lickedandcloutedintoshapebytheregimentortheship'screw,heshedshissmoutchinessfromhimlikea

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garment.ItisonrecordthatSmoutchieserenowhaveledforlornhopes,piercedAfricatoitscentre,navigatedstrangeseas,andtroddentracklessPolarsnows.TheworstSmoutchyofmytime,thebullywho,tillthebicepsand_tendoAchilles_muscleshardenedtotheiroffice,madelifeatacertainschoolaterrorandanagony,afterwardssprangfromasteamerinordertosavethelifeofamanwhohadfallenoverboardinahigh-runningsea.

[Illustration:"THEHEADSMOUTCHY."]

ButofallSmoutchiestheworstvarietyisthatrearedinthevicinityofthesmallmanufacturingtown.Hethrivesonwagestooearlyandtooeasilyearned.Foullanguage,atobaccopipewiththebowlturneddown,andtherottenfagendsofAssociationfootball,arethesignsbywhichyoumayknowhim.InsuchasocietythereisalwaysoneSmoutchywhosetsthefashion,andacrowdwhoimitate.

InEdamtheheadSmoutchyofthetimewasNipperDonnan.Hewasthesonofafightingbutcher,whoinhisday,andbeforemarryingthewidowofthedeceasedpublicanofthe"BlackBull,"hadbeenayetmoreriotousdrover,andhadalmostmettherunningexpensesoftheSheriffCourtbyhispromptlypaidfines.

TheonlythingsNipperDonnanfearedwerethesmall,round,deep-set

eyesofhisfather.Thepolicewereasporttohim.Thewell-brought-upchildrenoftheGrammarSchooltrembledathisname.TheroughladsatworkinthemillsontheEdamWateralmostworshippedhim;foritwasknownthathisfathergavehimlessonsinpugilism.Hesportedameerschaumpipe;aspottedhandkerchiefwasalwaysknottedknowinglyroundhisthroat,andawhitebull-dog,withredsidelongeyesandlipsdrawnupatthecorners,followedcloseathisheel.

GreatinEdamandonallthebanksoftheEdamWaterwasNipperDonnan,theKingoftheSmoutchies.

Anditwasintohishard,rough,uncleanhandsthatourbraveGeneral

Napoleonhadfallen.NowNipperhadbeenrearedinspecialhatredoftheSmithsofWindyStandard.Mr.PictonSmithitwaswho,longagoatEdamFair,asayoungman,hadinterferedwithDroverDonnan,whenhewasjustsettlingto"polishoff"asoft,good-naturedshepherdofthehills,whomhehadfailedtocheatoutofthepriceofhis"blackfaces."Mr.PictonSmithitwaswhoonthesameoccasionhadsentencedtheriotousdroverto"thirtydayswithouttheoptionofafine."HeitwasintimesmorerecentwhohadbeenthemeansofgettingtheBlackBullshutup,upontheoft-repeatedcomplaintoftheChiefConstable.

Andsoallthisheritageofhatredwasnowtobeworkedoffonthesonofthegentlemanbythesonofthebully.Ofcourseitmightjustas

wellhavebeentheotherwayabout,forthereisnoabsoluteheredityinSmoutchydom.Thebutchermighteasilyhavebeenthegentleman,andthelandlord'ssontheSmoutchybully;onlytoHughJohn'scost,onthisoccasionithappenedtobetheotherwayabout.

TheladswhofollowedNipperDonnanweremostlyhumbleadmirers--somemorecruel,someless,butswornSmoutchiestoaman,andallafraidtointerferewiththefiercepleasuresoftheirchief.Indeed,soabsolutewasCaptainNipperDonnan,thatthereneverwasatimewhensomeofhisbanddidnotbearthemarksofhisattentions.

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CHAPTERXVII.

BEFORETHEINQUISITION.

WiththisexcursionintothenaturalhistoryoftheSmoutchyBoy,whichperhapsoughttohavecomesomewhatearlierinthehistory,wecontinuethetaleoftheadventuresofGeneralNapoleonSmith.

Beatendownbynumbers,theherolayonthegroundatthecornerofthebutcher'sparks.NipperDonnanstoodoverhimandheldhimdownwithhisfoot.Theywerejusttherightagesforbullyandbullied.HughJohnSmithwastwelve,slim,andstraightasanarrow;NipperDonnansixteen,short,hard,andthickset,withlargesolidhandsandprominentknuckles.

"Gotyouatlast,youngprig!NowI'lldoyoutorights!"remarkedNipper,geniallykickingHughJohnintheribswithhishobnailedboots.

HughJohnsaidnotaword,forhehadfoughttilltherewasnomorebreathleftinhimanywhere.

"Sulky,hey?"saidNipper,withanotherkickinamoretenderspot.HughJohnwinced."Ah,lads,Ithoughtthatwouldwaketheyoungswellup.Oh,ourfatheristheownerofthisproperty,ishe?Sonice!Heownsthetown,doeshe?Nastypauperheis!Toopoortokeepapropercarriage,butthinksusalldirtunderhisfeet.Yaw,yaw,weaw-wsofine,weaw-w,wea-aw!"

AndNipperDonnanimitated,amidthemeanobsequiouslaughterofhisfightingtail,theerectcarriageofhisfather'senemy,Mr.PictonSmith,ashewasaccustomedtostridesomewhathaughtilydowntheHigh

StreetofEdam.

ThenhecamebackandkickedHughJohnagain.

"Youwouldn'tdaretodothisifmyfatherwerehere!"saidGeneralNapoleon,nowsittinguponhiselbow.

"_Your_father,I'llshowyou!"shoutedfuriouslyNippertheTyrant."Whoaskedyoutocomehereanywaytomeddlewithus?Whoinvitedyouintoourparks?Whatbusinesshaveyouinourcastle?Fetchhimalong,boys;we'llshowhimsomethingthatneitherhenorhisfatherknowanythingabout.Theyandthelikesofthemusedtoshutuppeopleinthecastledungeons,sotheysay.Wearejusttheboystogive'ema

tasteofwhatitisliketheirselves."

"Hooray,"shoutedtheSmoutchyfightingtail;"fetchhimalong,lads!"

SowithnogentlehandsHughJohnwasseizedandhurriedaway.Hewastouchedupwithironboundclogsintherear,hisarmswerepinchedunderneathwheretheskinistender,aswellasnearlydraggedfromtheirsockets.Auselessredcravatwasthrustintohismouthbywayofagag--useless,fortheprisonerwouldsoonerhavediedthanhaveutteredonesolitarycry.

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AndallthetimeHughJohnwassayingoverandovertohimselftheconfessionofhisfaith:

"I'mgladIdidn'ttell--I'mgladIwasn't'dasht-mean.'I'masoldier.TheScotsGreyssalutedme;andthesefellows_shan't_makemecry."

Andtheydidn't.ForthespiritofmanygenerationsofstalwartSmithsandfightingPictonswasinhim,andperhapsalsoasparkfromtheancestralanvilofthefirstSmithhadputironintohisboyishblood.Soallthroughthescenewhichfollowed--theslowmocktrial,thesmallingenioustortures,pullingbackmiddlefingers,hangingupbythumbstoabeamwithhistoesjusttouchingtheground,tyingastringabouthisheadandtighteningitwithatwistedstick--HughJohnnevercriedatear,whichwasthebitterestdropinthecupofNipperDonnan.

Theyremovedthegaginorderthattheymightquestionhim.

"Saythisisnotyourfather'scastle,andwe'llletyoudown!"criedNipper.

"It_is_myfather'sandnobodyelse's!Andwhenitismine,Ishan't

letoneofyoubeastscomenearit."

TheSmoutchiestriedanothertack.

"Promiseyouwon'ttellonusifweletyougo!"

"Ishan'tpromise;Iwilltelleveryoneofyournamestothepoliceman,andgetyouputinjail--sothere!MyfatherhasgonetoLondontoseetheQueen,andhaveyouallputintoprison--yes,andwhippedwithacat-o'-nine-tailsassoonaseverhecomesback!"answeredHughJohn,shamelesslybelyingbothhisfatherandhisownintentions.

Buthecomfortedhimselfandexcusedthelie,bysayingtohimself,"ItisnoneoftheirbusinesswhetherItellonthemornot.Theyshan'tthinkthatIdon'ttellbecauseIamafraidofthem!"

Andthegreatheartofthehero(agedtwelve)stoodhighandunshaken.

AtlastevenNipperDonnantiredofthecruelsport.Itwasnogreatfunwhenthevictimcouldnotbemadetocryorappealformercy.Andeventhefightingtailgrewvaguelyrestive,perhapsbecomingindistinctlyconscious,inspiteoftheirblindadmirationfortheirchief,thatbycomparisonwiththesteadfastdefianceanduprightmienoftheirsolitaryvictim,theslouching,black-pipe-smokingsmoutchinessofNipperDonnandidnotappearthetrulyheroicfigure.

"Let'sputhiminthedungeon,andleavehimthere!Icancomeandlethimoutafter,andthenkickthebeggarhomethewayhecame!Thatwilllearnhimtoletusaloneforeverandever!"

Thefightingtailshoutedagreement,andHughJohnwaspromptlyhaledtothemouthoftheprison-house;aropewasroveabouthiswaist,hishandsweretiedbehindhisback,andhewaslowereddownintotheancientdungeonoftheCastleofWindyStandard.Thisplaceofconfinementhadlastbeenusedahundredandfiftyyearsagoforthe

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stragglersoftheBonnyPrince'sarmyaftertheretreatnorthward.Thedungeonwasbottle-neckedabove,andspreadoutbeneathintoacircularvaultofthirtyorfortyfeetindiameter.Itsdepthwasabouttwelvefeet;andastheboyshadnotropeenoughtolowertheirprisoneralltheway,theyhadperforcetoletHughJohndrop,andhelightedonhisfeet,takingofcoursetheropewithhim.

"Comeon,lads,"criedNipperDonnan,"let'sgoandhaveasmokeattheBlackSheds,andthengouptotheMarketHilltoseetheshows.TheproudswinewilldowellenoughdowntheretillhisfathercomesbackfromLondonwiththecat-o'-nine-tails!"

Helookedovertheedgeandspatintothedungeon.

"Thatforyou!"hecried."Willyesaynowthatthecastleisyourfather's,andthatwehavenorighthere!"

HughJohntriedtogivetherequiredinformationastoownership,butitwaschokedinthefoldsoftheredcravat.Nipperwentontauntingly,allunchallenged.

[Illustration:"'WILLYESAYNOWTHATTHECASTLEISYOURFATHER'S,ANDTHATWEHAVENORIGHTHERE!'SAIDNIPPERDONNAN."]

"There'sethers(adders)downthere--andweaselsandwhopperratsthateatoffyourfingersandtoes.Yes,andmyfathersawablackbeastlikeanotter,butasbigasacalf,runinthereoutoftheEdamWater;andthey'llbiteyeandstangyeandsuckyourblood!Andwearenevercomingbacknomore,soye'lldieofstarvationbesides."

Withthispleasingspeechbywayoffarewellandbenediction,NipperDonnandrewoffhisforces,andHughJohnwasleftalone.

CHAPTERXVIII.

THECASTLEDUNGEON.

ForsometimeafterHughJohnwasthusimprisoned,hestoodlookingupwithafaceofsetdefiancethroughthenarrowapertureabove,wherehehadlastseenthetriumphantcountenancesofhisfoes.

"Who'safraid?Theyshan'tsayHughJohnPictonSmithisafraid!"werethewordsinhisproudandangryheart,whichkepthimfromfeelinginsultandpain,kicksandbuffetings.Gradually,however,asthesoundofretreatingfootstepsdiedaway,therigidattitudeoftheherorelaxed.Hebegantobeconsciousthathewasallonegreatache,

thattheropesweredrawnexceedinglytightabouthiswrists,thatthegaginhismouthhurthischeeks,thathewasverytired--and,oh!shameforaheroofbattlesandmartyrinsecrettorture-chambers,thathewantedbadlytositdownandcry.

"ButIwon'tcry--eventomyself!"saidHughJohn.Yetallthesamehesatmournfullydowntoconsiderhisposition.Hedidnotdoubtthathehadbeenleftthereforaltogether,andhebeganatonce(perhapstokeephimselffromcrying)toargueoutthechances.

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"First,"hesaid,"Imustwrigglemyhandsloose,thenIcangetthegagoutofmymoutheasyenough.AfterthatI'vegottocountmystores,andseeifIcanfindarustynailtowritemynameonthewallandthedateofmycaptivity."

(HughJohnwantedtodoeverythingdecentlyandinorder.)

"ThenImustfindapinoraneedle(aneedleifpossible--apinispoisonous,andbesidesitissomuchmoreeasytoprickbloodfromyourthumbwithaneedle),andthenIhavegottowriteanaccountofmysufferingsonlinenliketheabbé,orontabletsofbreadlikeLatude.AsIhavenobread,exceptthelumpthatwasleftoveratbreakfast,Isupposeitwillneedtobewrittenonlinen;butbreadtabletsaremuchthemoreinteresting.OfcourseIcouldmakeoneortwotablets,writesecretmessagesonthem,andeatthemafter."

GeneralSmithwouldhavegoneontomakestillfurtherarrangementsforthefuture,butthepresentpainofthebloodinhishandsandthetightnessoftheropeathiswristswarnedhimthathehadbetterbeginthepracticalworkofeffectinghisrelease.

NowGeneralSmithwasnotoneofthatsomewhatnumerousclassofpersonswhotakealldaytodonothing,andassoonashewasconvincedbyindisputablelogicofthewisdomofanycourse,hethrew

himselfheartandsoulintotheaccomplishmentofit.Onhishandsandkneeshewenthalfroundthecircuitofthewallofhisprison,butencounterednothingsavethebareclammystones--withthemortarlooseandcrumblyinthejoints,andthemoistexudationsofthelimecongealedintolittlestonyblobsuponthesurfacewhichtastedbrackishwhenheputhislipstothem.

SoHughJohnstoodupandbegananewsearchonanotherlevel.Thistimehedidfindsomethingtothepurpose.

Aboutthreefeetfromthegroundwasastrongnaildrivenfirmlyintoajointofthemasonry.ProbablyitoweditspositiontooneoftheHighlandprisonersoftheForty-five,whohadusedittohanghis

spareclotheson,orforsomeotherpurpose.ButinhisheartHughJohndateditfromthedaysoftheBlackDouglasatleast.

Eitherwayitprovedmostuseful.

Standingwithhisbacktothewall,theboycouldjustreachitwithhiswrists.Hehadlongthinhandswithboneswhich,whensqueezed,seemedtohaveacapacityforfittingstillmorecloselyintooneanother.Soitwasnotdifficultforhimtoopenthepalmssufficientlytolettheheadofthenailin.Thenbitinghisteethuponhisliptokeepthepainatabearablepoint,hebenttheweightofhisbodythiswayandthatupontheironpin,sothatinfiveorsixminuteshehadworkedNipperDonnan'sinartisticknots

sufficientlyloosetoslipoverhiswrists.Hishandswerefree.

[Illustration:"HEBENTTHEWEIGHTOFHISBODYTHISWAYANDTHAT."]

Hisfirstactwastotaketheredcravatoutofhismouth,andthenextafterthattoliedownwithallhisweightuponhishands,holdingthembetweenthefloorofthedungeonandhisbreast,forthetinglingpainofthebloodreturningintothefingerscamenearertomakingtheherocrythanallthathadhappenedthatday.Buthestillrefrained.

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"No,Iwon't,IamaNapoleon--Smith!"headdedasanafterthought,asifinloyaltytothefather,whoselegalandterritorialclaimshehadthatdaysomanfullyupheld.

Butsuddenlywhatwasduetohisdignifiedpositionasastateprisoneroccurredtohim.Casanovahadstruckatthewalltillhisfingersbled.Latudehadgnashedhisteeth,howledwithanguish,andgnawedtheearth.

"Ihavenotdoneanyofthesethings,"saidHughJohn;"Idon'tlikeit.ButIsupposeI'vegottotry!"

However,onesolidrapofhisknucklesuponthehardlimestoneofthedungeonwallpersuadedhimthattherewerethingsmoreamusingintheworldthantoimitateCasanovainthat.Andasatthefirstgnawhismouthencounteredatinynettle,heleapedtohisfeetanddeclaredatthepitchofhisvoicethatbothLatudeandCasanovawerecertainly"dashtfools!"

Thesoundofhisownwordsremindedhimthatafterallhewaswithinamileofhome.Hewonderedwhattimeitmightbe.Hebegantofeelhungry,andthecubiccapacityofhisinternalemptinesspersuadedhimthatitmustbeatleastquitehisusualdinner-time.

SoHughJohndecidedthat,allthingsbeingconsidered,itwouldbenothingagainsthismanhoodifhecalledforhelp,andtookhischanceofanycoming.Butherememberedthatthemouthofthedungeonwasinaveryretiredpartofthecastle,inthewingnearesttotheriver,andshutofffromtheroadacrosstheislandbyaflankingtowerandathirteen-footwall.Sohewasnotverysanguineofsuccess.Stillhefeltthatinhisperilouspositionhecouldnotaffordtoneglectanychance,howeverslight.

Soheshoutedmanfully,"Help!Help!Murder!Police!Fire!"asloudashecouldbawl.

Thenhetriedthe"Coo-ee"whichSergeantSteelhadtaughthim,undertheimpressionthatitwouldcarryfarther.Butthekeepofafourteenthcenturycastleandthirteenfeetofshelllimeandrubblemasonryareproofagainstthemostwillingboyishvoiceintheworld.SoGeneralNapoleonmadenomoreimpressionuponhisfriendsthanhisgreatoriginalwouldhavedonehadhesummonedtheOldGuardfromthecliffsofSt.Helena.

Buttheyoungerwarriorwasnotdiscouraged.Hehadtriedoneplanandithadfailed.Hesatdownagaintothinkwhatwasthenextthingtobedone.

Herememberedthethick"hunk"ofbreadhehadputinthepocketof

hisjacketinthemorning.Hecouldnoteatitatbreakfast,sogreatlyhadhebeenexcitedbytheimpendingconflict;so,topreventwaste,andtomakeallsafe,hehadputitinhispocket.Besides,intheabsenceofhisfather,itwasnotalwayspossibletobeinformeals.And--well,oneneverknewwhatmighthappen.Itwasbesttobepreparedforallemergencies.

Withtremblinghandhefeltforthe"hunk."Alas!thejacketpocketwasempty,andhungflatandlimpagainsthisside.Thestaffoflifemusthavefallenoutintheprogressofthefray,orelseoneofthe

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enemyhaddespoiledhimofhistreasure.

Aquickthoughtstruckhismilitarymind,accustomedbeforeallelsetodealwithquestionsofcommissariat.ItwasjustpossiblethatthebreadmighthavefallenoutofhispocketwhentheSmoutchieswerelettinghimdownsoroughlyintothedungeonofthecastle.

Hewentdirectlyunderneaththeaperture,fromwhichafaintlightwasdistributedovertheunevenfloorofhardtrampledearthwhereonacentury'sdrydustlayankledeep.

There--there,almostunderhisfeet,washispieceofbread!

HughJohnpickeditup,blewthedustcarefullyoff,andwipedthesurfacewithhishandkerchief.Itwasagoodsolidpieceofbread,andwouldhaveservedCæsarthePotwalloperforatleasttwomouthfuls.Withcareitmightsustainlifeforanindefiniteperiod--perhapsasmuchastwenty-fourhours.

So,inaccordancewiththebesttraditions,theprisonerdividedhisprovisionwithhispocketknife,asaccuratelyaspossibleunderthecircumstances.Hecutitintocubesofaboutaninchsquare,exactlyasifhehadbeengoingtolaydownratpoison.

NapoleonSmithwasdecidedlybeginningtorecoverhisspirits.Foronething,hethoughthowveryfewboyshadeverhadhischances.ALatudeoftwelvewassomewhatunusualintheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandIreland,andevenintheadjacentislands.Hebeganatoncetowritehismemoirsinhishead,butfoundthathecouldnotgetonverywell,becausehecouldnotrememberwhichoneofhisvariousgreat-grandmothershaddancedwithBonnyPrinceCharlieatEdinburgh.Thisforaloyalprisonerwasinsuperable,sohegavethememoirsup.

CHAPTERXIX.

THEDROPOFWATER.

Fromfruitlessgenealogyheturnedtothefurtherconsiderationofhissupplies.Hewantedwater,andinadungeonsurroundedbylime-stonewallsandfoundeduponarock,itseemedlikelyhewouldcontinuetowantit.Butatthefarthestcorner,justwheretheroofapproachedmostcloselytothefloor,HughJohncouldheara_pat_,_pat_atregularlyrecurringintervals.Heputhishandforwardintothedarkness,andimmediatelyalargedropofwaterfellonthebackofit.Hesethistonguetoit,andittastedcoolandgoodafterthefustinessofthewoollengag.

HughJohnthrustforwardhishandagain,palmupwardsthistime,andwasrewardedbyfindingthateverytimehecountedtenslowlyalargedrop,likethoseinthevanofathunderstorm,splashedintothehollow.Itwastediouswork,butthenadungeonisaslowplace,andhehadplentyoftime.Hecrawledforwardtobenearertothesourceofsupplies,andwhiletryingtoinsinuatehisheadsidewaysunderneathlikeadogataspout,tocatchthedropinhismouthwithouttheinterventionofawarmhand,hefeltthathiskneewaswet.Hehadinadvertentlyplaceditinasmallnaturalbasininto

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whichthedrophadbeenfallingforages.HughJohnsethislipstoit,andneverdidevensoda-water-and-milk,thatnectarofthemeagreanduncriticalgodsofboyhood,tastesweeterormorerefreshing.Afterhehadtakenagoodsoliddrinkhecleanedthesandfromthebottomcarefully,andthere,readytohishand,wasastonecuphollowedoutofaprojectingpieceoftherockonwhichthecastlewasbuilt.Thiswell-anchoreddrinking-cupwasshapedlikethepecten-shellofpilgrimage,andsetwiththebroadflutedendtowardshim.

Thusfortifiedwithmeatanddrink,forhehaddevouredthefirstofhisrat-poisonsquares,orratherbolteditlikeapill,GeneralNapoleonsatdowntoreckonuphisresources.Hefoundhimselfinpossessionofsometenfeetoffairlygoodcord,whichhadevidentlybeenusedforbringingcattletothefatalBlackShedsofbutcherDonnan.Theprisonercarefullyworkedoutalltheknots,inordertogetasmuchlengthaspossible.Hedidnot,indeed,seehowsuchathingcouldhelphimtoescape,butthatwasnothisbusiness,forintheauthoritiesaropewasalwaysconveyedintothecellofthepiningcaptive,generallyinanenormouspie.

HughJohnfeltthathewasindeedapiningcaptive,butitwasthepieandnottheropehepinedfor.Hisdungeonwasdownstairs,andhedidnotseehowaropecouldpossiblyhelphimtogetout,unlessthere

wassomebodyatthetopofthebottlereadytohaulhimup.

Hetriedhisvoiceagain,andmadethecastleringinvain.Alas!onlytheechoescameback,thepertjackdawscriedoutinsolentlyfarabovehimandmockedhiminaclamorouscrowdfromtheruinedgables.

Thenhismindwentoffallofitselftothepleasantdining-roomofthehouseofWindyStandard,wherePrissyandSirToadyLionwouldevennowbesittingdowntotea.HecouldsmellthenicerefreshingbouquetofthehotchinapotasJanetSheepshankspouredtheteaintothecupsinagoldenbrownjet,andthen"doused"inthecreamwithaliberalhand.

"IdeclareIcoulddrinkupthewholetea-potfullwithouteverstopping,"saidHughJohnaloud,andthenstartedatthesoundofhisownvoice.

Hewaitedaslongaspossible,andthenatethesecondofhissquaresofbread.Thenhedrankthemouthfulofwaterwhichhadgatheredinthestoneshell.Whilehewasinthereunderneaththedungeoneaves,heputouthishandtofeelhowfaroffthewallwas.Heexpectedeasilytoreachit,butinthishefailedentirely.Hishandwasmerelystretchedoutintospace,whilethedropfelluponhishead,andthenuponhisneck,asheleanedfartherandfartheroverinhiseffortstofindaboundarywall.

Hehadnoticedfromthefirstthatthefloorimmediatelybeneaththecupwasquitedryallround,butithadnotoccurredtohimbeforethatifthedropfellconstantlyandregularlythebasinmustoverflowinsomedirection.HughJohnwasnotlogical.Itistruethathelikedfindingoutthingsbyhisfivesenses,butthenthatisaverydifferentaffair.SammyCartertriedtoarguewithhimsometimes,andmakematterscleartohimbypurereason.ThefirsttimeHughJohnusuallytoldhimto"shutit."Thesecondhesimplyhammeredthelogician.

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Finally,tosolvethemystery,HughJohncrawledcompletelyoverhisdrinkingfountainandkneeledinthedampsandatthebackofthebasin.Stillhecoulddiscovernowall.Next,heputhishandforwardasfarasitwouldreachout,and--he_couldfeelnofloor_.

Verygingerlyheputhisfootovertheedge,andatoncefoundhimselfonthetopstepofasteep,narrow,andexceedinglyunevenstair.Theexplorer'sheartbeatfastwithinhim.Heknewwhatitwasnowthathehadfound--asecretpassage,perhapsendinginanenchantedcave;perhaps(whoknew)inapirate'sden.HethoughtofNipperDonnan'slastwordsaboutthebeastasbigasacalfwhichhisfatherhadseengoingdownintothedungeon.Itwasalie,ofcourse;itmustbe,becauseNipperDonnansaidit;butstillitwascertainlyverydarkanddismaldownthere.

HughJohnlistenedwithhisearpointeddownthestair,andhismouthopen.Hecertainlydidhearalow,rushing,hissingsound,whichmightbetheEdamwatersurroundingtheoldtower,or--thebreathingoftheBlackBeast.

IfHughJohnhadhadevenToadyLionwithhim,hewouldhavefeltnofears;buttobealoneinsilenceanddarknessisfittedtoshakestrongernervesthanthoseofatwelve-year-oldboy.Itwasgettinglate,asheknewbythecravingacheinhisstomach,andalsobythe

gradualduskingoftheholetwelvefeetabovehishead,throughwhosenarrowthroathehadbeenletdownintheforenoon.

*****

NowatfirsttheSmoutchyboyshadnotmeanttoleaveHughJohninthedungeonallnight,butonlytogivehimathoroughfrightforhishardihoodindaringtoattacktheircitadel.ButNipperDonnan'snaturalresolutionwasevertowardscrueltyofallsorts,anditwasturnedtoadamantupondiscoveringthatDonald,thecapturedhostageandoriginalcauseofconflict,hadinsomemysteriouswayescaped.

Thisunexpectedsuccessoftheattackingpartyheattributed,of

course,toHughJohn,whom,inspiteofhisyouth,hewellknewtobetheleadingspirit.SirToadyLionwasneversomuchassuspected--afactwhichwouldhavepleasedthatdoughtywarriorbutlittlehadheknownit.

IntheafternoonNipperhadgonetoHalkirkTrysttobringhometwobullocks,whichButcherDonnanhadboughttherethedaybefore;buthisfatherbecominginvolvedinsomecriticalcattle-dealingtransaction,forwhichhewasunabletoobtainsatisfactionincash,resolvedthatNippershouldwaittillthenextday,whenhehopedtobeabletoaccompanyhimhomeinperson.SoengrossedwasNipperwiththefreaksofthefair,theAunt-Sallies,theshooting-galleries,andmiscellaneousside-showsandghostillusions,thathequiteforgotall

aboutourheroimmuredinthedungeonoftheCastleofWindyStandard.Evenhadheremembered,hewouldcertainlyhavesaidtohimselfthatsomeoftheotherboyswouldbesuretogoandlethimout(forwhichinterferencewithhisprivilegeshewouldassuredlypunchtheirheadsto-morrow!)--andthatinanycaseitservedthebeggarright.

Probably,however,hisfather(hadNipperthoughtfittomentionthemattertohim),wouldhavetakenquiteadifferentviewofthesituation;forthebutcher,withallhisdetestationoftheowneroftheWindyStandardestate,heldMr.PictonSmithinawholesomeawe

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whichalmostamountedtoreverence.

Soitcameaboutthatnoneapproachedthecastleallthatafternoon;fortheboysofNipper'sbandwereafraidtoventureuponthecastleislandintheabsenceoftheirredoubtablechief,whiletheservantsofWindyStandardHousesoughtforthevanishedinquiteotherdirections,beingledastraybytheinnocentassertionsofToadyLion,whohadlastseenHughJohndefendinghimselfgallantlyagainstoverwhelmingnumbersinthecornerofthefieldnearesttothetown,andatleasthalfamileasthecrowfliesfromthecastleontheisland.

CHAPTERXX.

THESECRETPASSAGE.

ForafullhourHughJohnsatonthetopstepofthestairs,orwentbackandforwardbetweentheseandthenarrowcircularopeningsohighabovehishead,whichwasnowfilledwithasortofruddyhaze,thesignthatthesunwassettingcomfortablyandsedatelyoutside,behind

thesmoothgreenhillsinwhichtheCheviotsbrokedownintotheSolwayMarshes.Itwasnotsomuchthattheboydarednotdescendintothesecretpassage.Ratherhedidnotwishtoconfronttheblanknessofdisappointment.Thestepsmightleadnowhereatall.Theymightdropoffsuddenlyintothedepthsofawell.

Toprovetohimselfthathewasquitecalm,andalsothathewasinnohurry,HughJohnatethethirdofhisbread-squaresanddrankthewaterwhichhadmeantimecollectedinthestoneshell.Heroesalwaysrefreshedthemselvesthusbeforeanadventure.

"'Noneknowethwhenourlipsshalltouchtheblessedbreadagain!'Thisprog'stoohangeddryforanything!"--thatwaswhatHughJohn

said,quoting(partly)fromthe"LifeandDeathofArthurtheKing."

Thenfeelingthatmerepoetrywasoffandthatthetimeforactionhaddefinitelycome,hetiedtohisropealargefallenstonewhichlayinacorner,andcrawlingovertheshelltotheheadofthesteps,hethrewitdown.Itdidnotgofar,appearingtocatchinsomeprojection.Hetriedagainwithalikeresult.Hepulleditup.Thestonewasdry.Theopeningwasnot,then,awellwithwateratthebottom.

SoHughJohncautiouslyputhisfootuponthethresholdofthesecretpassage,andcommencedtheperilousdescent.Heclutchedtheedgeofthetopstepashelethimselfdown.Itwascold,wet,andclammy,but

thestonesbeneathseemedsecureenough.Sohecontinuedtodescendtillhefoundhimselfinanarrowstaircasewhichwentdownanddown,graduallytwistingtotheleftawayfromthelight.Hisheartbeatfast,andtherewasacuriousheavyfeelingabouthisnostrils,whichdoubtlesscamefromthedampmistsofaconfinedplacesoclosetotheriver.

TheadventurousGeneralhaddescendedquitealongwaywhenhecametoalevelstone-flaggedpassage.Headvancedtwentyyardsalongit,andthenputouthishands.Hefoundhimselfinanarrowcell,dripping

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withwetandankledeepinmud.Thecellwassosmall,thatbymakingacoupleofstepsHughJohncouldfeelitfromsidetoside.Atthefartherendofittherewasevidentlyadoororpassageofsomesort,butitwasblockedupwithfallenstonesandrubbish;yetthroughitcamethestrangestmufflednoises.Somethingcoughedlikeamaninpain.Therewasalsoanoiseasofthefeetofanimalsmovingaboutstealthilyandrestlessly,andheseemedeventohearvoicesspeaking.

Awildunreasoningfearsuddenlyfilledtheboy'sheart.Heturnedandfled,stumblinghastilyupthestairsbywhichhehadsocautiouslydescended.Thethoughtoftheblackbeast,greatasacalf,ofwhichNipperDonnanhadspoken,cameuponhimandalmostmasteredhim.YetallthetimeheknewthatNipperhadonlysaidittofrightenhim.Butitwasnowdarknight,evenintheupperdungeon.Hewasaloneinahauntedcastle,and,asthegloamingsettleddown,HughJohncordiallyagreedwithSirDavidBrewster,whoisreputedtohavesaid,"Idonotbelieveinghosts,butIamafraidofthem."

Inspiteofallhisgallantryoftheday,andtheresolutionshehadmadethathisprisonrecordshouldbestrictlyaccordingtorule,HughJohn'ssuddenpanictookcompleteholdofhim.Hesatdownundertheopeningofthedungeon,andforthefirsttimecriedbittertears,excusinghimselfonthegroundthattherewasnoonetheretoseehim,andanywayhecouldeasilyleavethatpartoutwhenhecametowrite

hisjournal.Aboutthistimehealsoslippedinasurreptitiousprayer.Hethoughtthatatleastitcoulddonoharm.Prissyhadinducedhimtotrythismethodsometimes,butmostlyhewasafraidtoletherknowaboutitafterwards,becauseitmadePrissysounbearablyconceited.Butafterallthiswasinadungeon,andmanyveryrespectableprisonersquiteregularlysaidtheirprayers,asanyonemayseeforthemselvesinthebooks.

"Yousee,"saidHughJohn,explanatorilyafterwards,"it'sveryeasyforthem.Theyhavenothingelsetodo.Theyhaven'ttowash,andtakebaths,andcombtheirhair,andbeorderedabout!It'seasytobegoodwhenyou'releadinganaturallife."

ThiswasHughJohn'sprayer,andamodelforanysoldier'spocket-book.

"OurFatherWitch-Charta-Nevin"(thisheconsideredaChristiannameandsurname,curiousbutquiteauthoritative),"helpmetogetoutofthisbeastlyhole.HelpmetolickNipperDonnantillhecan'tstand,andbustSammyCarterforrunningaway.Forweareallmiserablesinners.GodblessfatherandPrissy,ArthurGeorge(Iwonderwherethelittlebeastwentto--guesshesneaked--justwait!),JanetSheepshanks,MaryJaneHousemaid,andeverybodyaboutthehouseanddownatthestables,exceptBellaMurdoch,thatisaclash-bagandatell-tale-tit.Andmakemeagoodboy.ForJesus'sake.Aymen."

Thatthelastpetitionwasbynomeansasuperfluousoneeveryreaderofthishistorywillagree.HughJohnverycarefullysaid"Ay-men"now,becausehehadsaid"A-men"inthemorning.Henoticedthathisfatheralwayssaid"Ay-men"verysolemnlyattheendofaprayer,whilePrissy,wholikedgoingtochurchevenonweekdays(alowdodge!),insistedupon"A-men."SoHughJohnused"Ay-men"and"A-men"timeabout,justtoshowthattherewasnoill-feeling.ThusearlyinlifedoestheleavenofGallio(who"caredfornoneofthesethings")begintoshowitself.HughJohnwasobviouslygoingtobeaverypronouncedBroadChurchman.

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TheprayerdidthecaptiveGeneralmuchgood.Hewasnotnownearlysomuchafraidofthebeasts.Theholedidnotseemtoyawnsoblackbeneathhim;andthoughhekepthisearonthecockforanythingthatmightcomeathimupthestairs,hecouldwithsometolerablecomposuresitstillandwaitforthemorning.Hedecidedthatsosoonasitwasevenalittlelight,hewouldtryagainandfindoutifhecouldnotremovetherubbishfromthefurtherdoor.

Themidsummermornwasnotlongincoming--shorterfarindeedtoHughJohnthantotheanxiousheartsthatwerescatteredbroadcastoverthefaceofthecountryseekingforhim.Scarcelyhadtheboysatdowntowaitforthedaylightwhenhisheadsankonhisbreast.Presentlyheswayedgentlytotheside,andturningoverwithacontentedlittlemurmur,hecurledhimselfuplikeatiredpuppyandwentfastasleep.Whenheawoke,afresherpinkradiancethanthatofeventidefilledtheapertureabovehishead--theglowofthewide,sweet,blushfuldawnwhichfloodedalltheeasternskyoutsidethetallgreywallsoftheCastleofWindyStandard.

HughJohnrose,stretchedhimself,yawned,andlookedabouthiminsurprise.TherewasnoToadyLioninalittlewhiteshiponfourironlegs,mooredsafealongsidehim;noopendoorthroughintoPrissy'sroom;nobirch-treeoutsidethewindow,glimmeringpurestwhiteand

delicatestpinkinthemorninglight--nothing,inshort,thathadgreetedhiswakingeyeseverymorningofhislifehitherto.

Buttherewerecompensations.Hewasaprisoner.Hehadenduredanightinadungeon.Hishairwouldalmostcertainlyhaveturnedpurewhite,oratleaststreaky.WhatboyofhisagehadeverdonethesethingssincethelittleDauphin,aboutwhomhewassosorry,andoverwhosefatehehadshedsuchbittertears?HadSammyCarter?HughJohnsmiledasarcasticandderisivesmile.SammyCarterindeed!HewouldjustliketoseeSammyCartertryitonce!_He_wouldhavebeendeadbythistime,ifhehadhadtogothroughthetenthofwhathe(HughJohn)hadundergone.HadMikeorPeter?Theywerebigandstrong.Theysmokedpipes.Buttheyhadneverbeentortured,nevershutupina

dungeonwithwildbeastsinthenextcompartment,andnohasponthedoor.

Thestaircase--thesecretpassage!HughJohn'sheartflutteredwildly.Hemightevenyetgetbackintimeforbreakfast.Therewouldbeporridge--andegg-and-bacon--oh!crikey,yes,anditwaskidneymorning.HughJohn'smouthwatered.Therewasnoneedofthecoolfluidintheshelloflimestonenow!Couldthereindeedbesuchdaintiesintheworld?Itdidnotseempossible.Andyetthatverymorning--hemeantthemorningbefore--no,surelyitmusthavebeeninsomeotherlifeinfinitelyremote,hehadgrumbledbecausehehadnothadcreaminsteadofmilktohisporridge,andbecausethebaconwasnotpreviouslycrispenough.Hefeltthatifeverhewereprivileged

totasteasgoodbaconagain,hewouldbecomereligiouslikePrissy--ortakesomesuchextrememeasureasthat.

[Illustration:"OVERTHECLOSELYPACKEDWOOLLYBACKSHESAWASTRETCHOFRIPPLEDRIVER."]

HughJohnhadnoappetiteforthe"poisonsquares"now.Hetriedone,anditseemedtobecomposedinequalpartsofsawdustandthemedicamentcalled"Rough-on-rats!"Hetriedthewaterintheshell,andthatwassomewhatbetter;butjusttothinkofteafromthe

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urn--softivorycreamfloatingonthetop,curdedalittlebutlightasblownsea-foam!Ah,hecouldwaitnolonger.Thelifeofaprisonerwasallverywell,buthecouldnotevengetmaterialswithwhichtowriteuphisdiarytillhegothome.Forthispurposeitwasnecessarythatheshouldimmediatelymakehisescape.Alsoitwaskidneymorning,andifhedidnothurrythatlittlewretchToadyLionwouldhaveeatenupeverysnatch.Heresolvedtolosenotime.

Sowitheagerstepshedescendedthesteepwetstairsintothelittlestonechamber,whichsmeltfearfullydampandclammy,justasifallthesnailsintheworldhadbeencrawlingthere.

"Ibetthepoorchapdownherehadtoothache,"saidHughJohn,shiveringashewentforwardtoattackthepileoffallenstonesinfrontofthearcheddoorway.Foranhourheworkedmostmanfully,pullingoutsuchashecouldmanagetoloosen,andtossingothersaside.Thushegraduallyundercutthemasswhichblockedupthedoor,till,withawarningcreakortwothewholepitchedforwardandinward,givingthedaringpioneerjusttimetoleapasidebeforeitcametopplingintothenarrowcell,whichitmorethanhalffilled.Assoonastheavalanchehadsettled,HughJohnstaggeredoverthetopofthefallenstonesandbroken_débris_tothesmalldoor.Ashisheadcameonalevelwiththeopeninghesawastrangesight.Helookedintoalittleruinedturret,thefloorofwhichwasofsmoothestgreen

sward--or,rather,whichwouldhavebeenofgreenswardhaditnotbeenthicklycoveredwithsheep,alllyingplacidlyshouldertoshoulder,andcomposedlydrawinginthemorningairthroughtheirnostrilsasifnosuchwordas"mutton"existedinthevocabulariesofanylanguage.

Beyondandoverthecloselypackedwoollybackshesawastretchofrippledriver,facetedwithdiamondandrubypoints,wheretherisingsunjusttouchedthetipsofthelittlechillwaveletswhichwerefrettedbythewindofmorning,thatgustofcoolerairwhichthedawnpushesbeforeitroundtheworld.HughJohnwasfree!

CHAPTERXXI.

THERETURNFROMTHEBASTILE.

Hesteppeddowneasilyandlightlyamongthesheep.Theyrosewithoutsurpriseordisorder,stillwithstrictattentiontobusinesscontinuingtomunchatthegrasstheyhadpluckedastheylay,foralltheworldasifafamousadventure-seekinggeneralhadbeenonlytheharmlessbutboresomeshepherdwhocametodrivethemouttopasturesnew.Forallthesurprisetheyshowedtheymighthavebeenaccustomed

fromtheirfleeciestinfancytosmall,dirty,scratched,bruised,infinitelytatteredimpsofimperialdescentarrivingsuddenlyoutofunexploredsecretpassagesinancientfortresses.

Thegreatcommander'sfirstinstinctwastorushforhomeandsomakesurethatCookMarytheSecondhaddoneenoughkidneysforbreakfast.Hissecondidea,andonemoreworthyofhismilitaryreputation,wascarefullytoconcealtheentrancetothedoorway,bywhichhehademergedfromthepassagehehadsowonderfullydiscovered.Nooneknewhowsoontheknowledgemightproveusefultohim.Asamatterof

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attackanddefencetheundergroundpassagewascertainlynottobeneglected.

ThenHughJohndrovethesheepbeforehimoutofthefallentower.Ashedidsooneofthemcoughed,stretchingitsneckandholdingitsheadneartheground.Henowknewtheoriginofthesoundwhichhad--no,notfrightenedhim(ofcoursenot!),butslightlysurprisedhimtheeveningbefore.

And,lo!there,immediatelyinfrontofhimasheemerged,wastheEdamWater,slidingandripplingonunderitswillows,theslim,silvery-greyleavesshowingtheirwhiteunder-sidesjustasusual.There,acrosstheriver,werethecattle,standingalreadyknee-deepintheshallows,theirtailsnervyandswitchyonthealertforthemorning'scropofflies.TherewasMikegoingtodrivethemintobemilked.YonderinthefardistancewasablackspeckwhichmustbePeterpolishingstrapsandbuckleshungonapinbythestabledoor.

"Horridbeastseveryoneofthem!"saidHughJohnindignantlytohimself,"goingonallascomfortableasyouplease,justasifIhadnotbeenpininginadungeoncellforyearsandyears."

Thensettinghiscrampedwetlegsinmotion,GeneralNapoleoncommencedamasterlyretreatinthedirectionofhome.Hedashedfor

thestepping-stones,buthewasintoomuchofahurrytomakesureofhittingthem.HeslippedfromthefirstandwentabovethekneeintotheclearcoolEdamWater.Afterthathesimplyflounderedthrough,andpresentlyemergeddrippingontheotherside.Alongthewoodlandpathshescurriedandscampered.Hedashedacrossglades,scatteringtherabbitsandkickingupthedewinthejoyofrecoveredfreedom.Heclimbedastonedykeintothehomepark,becausehehadnotimetogoroundbythestile.Hebroughthalfofthefencedowninhishaste,scrapinghiskneeashedidso.Butsoexcitedwashethathescarcelyfelttheadditionalbruise.

Heranupthesteps.Thefrontdoorwasstandingwideopen,withthedisreputableandtell-taleairofarevellerwhohasbeenoutall

nightineveningdress.Alldoorshavethislookwhichhavenotbeendecentlyshutandlockedduringthedarkhours.Therewasnooneinthehall--nooneinthedining-room--nooneintheschoolroom,wherethechildren'steaofthenightbeforehadneverbeenclearedaway.HughJohnnoticedthathisownplacehadbeenset,andthecleancupandplateandtheburnishedunusedknifestruckhimasinfinitelypathetic.

Buthewashungry,andhadnotimetowasteonmerefeelings.Hisinnermanwastooinsistent.Heknewwellwherethepantrywas(trusthimforthat!),andhewenttowardsitattherateoftwentymilesanhour.Hewishedhehadrememberedtoaddapetitiontohisprayerthatitmightbeunlocked.Butitwasnowtoolateforthis,sohemust

justtrustinanunjoggedProvidenceandtakehischances.

Thegodswerefavourable.Theyhadevidentlyagreedthatforonesmallboyhehadsufferedenoughforthatday.Thepantrywasunlocked.Therewasalovelybeefsteakpiestandingonashelf.HughJohnlifteditoff,setitonthecandlebox,ungratefullythrowingSamboSoulisonthefloorinordertomakeelbowroom,andthenwithaknifeandforkheproceededtodemolishthepie.Theknifeandforkhefirstputhishandsonhadobviouslybeenused.ButdidGeneralNapoleonstoptogototheschoolroomforcleanones?No--severalthousandtimesno!

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Thosewhocan,forasinglemoment,entertainsuchthoughts,areveryfarfromhavingyetmadetheacquaintanceofGeneralSmith.Why,hedidnotevenwaittosaygrace--thoughheusuallyrepeatedhalf-a-dozenthefirstthinginthemorning,soastohavethejobwelloverfortheday.Itisallrighttosaygrace,butitissuchafagtohavetorememberbeforeeverymeal.SoHughJohnwentintothewholesalebusiness.

Hewashalfthroughthepiebeforehelookedaboutforsomethingtodrink.Lemonade,ifitcouldbefound,wouldmeetthecase.HughJohnfeltthiskeenly,and,lo!thefriendlyFates,withasmile,hadplantedawholecaseofitathisfeet.Heknockedinthepatentstopperwiththehandleofhisknife(allthingsmustyieldtomilitarynecessity),and,afterthefirstdraught,whatmorewastherelefttolivefor--exceptasecondbottleandtherestofthepie?

Hewasjustdoinghisbesttoliveuptothenicecooljelly,whichmeltedinakindoflingeringchillofdelightdownhisthroat,whenJanetSheepshanksappearedinthedoorway.Wearilyanddisheartenedly,shehadcomeintoprepareforabreakfastwhichnooneinallWindyStandardwouldeat.Somethingcuriousaboutthefeelingofthehousehadstruckherassheentered.Shehadgonefromroomtoroom,dividedbetweenhopeandapprehension,and,lo!therebeforeher,inherown

ravishedpantry,tuck-fullofbeefsteakpieandlemonade,sattheboyforwhomtheywereeventhendraggingthedeepestpoolsoftheEdam.

"Oh,thanktheLord,laddie!"criedJanet,claspingherhandsindevoutthankfulness,"thatHehathsparedyetoyourwidowedfaither--andtome,yourauldunworthynurse!"

Thetearswererunningdownhercheeks.Somehowherfacehadquitesuddenlygrowngreyandworn.Shelookedyearsolderthanshehaddoneyesterday.HughJohnpausedandlookedathermarvelling.Hehadaheavilyladenforkhalf-waytohismouth.Hewonderedwhatallthefusswasabout.

"Dogetmesomemustard,Janet,"hesaid,swinginghiswetlegs;"andwhereonearthhaveyouputthepickles?"

*****

Inthecross-examinationwhichnaturallyfollowed,HughJohnkepthisowncounsel,liketheprudentwarriorhewas.HeleftJanetandtheotherstosupposethat,intryingtoescapefromhisfoes,hehad"fallen"intothecastledungeon,andnoneofthehouseholdservantsknewenoughofthetopographyoftheancientstrongholdtoknowthat,ifhehaddoneso,hewouldprobablyhavebrokenhisneck.HesaidnothingaboutNipperDonnanoranyofthebandbyname.Simplyandtruthfullyhedesignatedthemas"somebadboys,"whichcertainlywas

innowayoverstatingthecase.

Perhapsifhisfatherhadbeenathomehecouldnothavehoodwinkedhisquestionerssoeasilyandcompletely.Mr.PictonSmithwouldcertainlyhavegonedeeperintothebusinessthanJanetSheepshanks,whoalternatelyslappedandscolded,pettedandspoiltourheroalldaylong.

ForsometimeHughJohnsmeltofArabytheBlestandSpicyInd;forhehadointmentsandliniments,ragsandplastersinnumerablescattered

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overhispersoninalldirections.

Heborrowedacigarette(itwasaveryoldanddryone)fromthemantelpieceofhisfather'sworkroom,andretiredtotheshelteroftheelm-treetoholdhiscourtandtakeprivateevidenceupontheeventsofyesterday.

AshewentacrosstheyardBlackDonaldranbleatingtohim,andplayfullybuttedathisleg.

HughJohnstoppedinastonishment.

"Whofoundhim?"heasked.

SirToadyLionproudlysteppedforward.Hehadagardenrakeinhishand,withwhichthemomentbeforehehadbeenpokingDonaldintheribs,andmakinghislifeaburdentohimgenerally.

[Illustration:"ICREATEYOUGENERALOFTHECOMM'SARIAT."]

Hebegantospeak,butHughJohnstoppedhim.

"Salute,youlittlebeast!"hesaidsternly.

SlowlyToadyLion'shandwentup.Hedidnotobjecttosalute,buthehadavaguesensethat,asamatterofpersonaldignity,notevenageneralhadarighttospeaktoaprivatethus--muchlesstoacommissariatsergeant.However,whathehadtosaywassotriumphantandoverpoweringthathewaivedthepointandtouchedhisforeheadindueform.

"_I_did--nobodybutme.Id'liveredhim,allbymineself.Icuttedtheropeandd'liveredDonald.Yes,Idid--Prissywilltell'oo.IwentedintotheBlackShedsallalone-y--andd'liveredhim!"

Hiswordscametumblingovereachotherinhishaste.Buthelaidstrongemphasisupontheword"delivered,"whichhehadjustlearned

fromPrissy.Hemeanttouseitveryoftenallthatday,becauseitwasagoodword,andnobodyknewthemeaningofitexceptQuite-Grown-Ups.

GeneralNapoleonSmithputonhismostfield-marshalishexpression,andsummonedSirToadyLiontoapproach.

Hetappedhimontheshoulderandsaidinagrandvoice,"IcreateyouGeneraloftheComm'sariatfordistinguishedconductinthefield.Fromthistimeforthyoucankeepthekeyofthebiscuitbox,butIknowjusthowmanyarein.Somindout!"

Thiswasgood,andToadyLionwasdulygrateful;buthewishedhis

goodfortuneputintoamoreconcreteform.

"CanIhavethebiggestandnicerestsaucerofthescrapingsofthepreserving-panto-night?"

HughJohnconsideredamoment.Animpulseofgenerositysweptoverhim.

"Yes,youcan,"hesaidnobly.Thenacrosswaveofcautioncausedhimtoadd--"thatis,ifitisn'trasps!"

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NowthechildrenofthehouseofWindyStandardwerepermittedtocleanouttheboiling-paninthefruit-preservingseasonwithwornhornspoons,inordernottoscratchthecopperorcracktheenamel.AndraspwasHughJohn'sfavourite.

"Huh,"saidToadyLion,turningupacontemptuousnose."Thank'oofornuffin!Ilikewaspsjustasmuchas'oo,HughJohnPictonSmiff!"

"Don'tanswermeback,sir!"--HughJohnwasusinghisfather'swordsandmanner.

"SallifIlike,"saidToadyLion,beginningtowhimper."SallgoandtellJanetSheepshanks,andshe'llgivemeyotsofwasps!Notscrapin'sneither,butweal-wealwasps--sothere!"

"ToadyLion,Ishalldegradeyoutotheranks.Youarealittlepigandadisgracetothearmy."

"Don'tcare,Iwantswasps--andId'liveredDonald,"reiteratedtheDisgraceoftheArmy.

HughJohnoncemorefeltthedifficultyofarguingwithToadyLion.Hewasaltogethertooyoungtobelogical.Sohesaid,"ToadyLion,you

littleass,stopsnivelling--andI'llgiveyouabonebuttonandthehalfofaknife."

"Let'sseethem,"saidToadyLion,cautiouslyuncoveringoneeyebyliftinguptheedgeofthecoveringpalm.Hiscommandingofficerproducedthearticlesofpeace,andToadyLionexaminedthemcarefully,stillwithoneeye.Theyprovedsatisfactory.

"Allyight!"saidhe,"Iwon'tcrynomore--butIwantsthreesaucersfullofthewaspstoo!"

CHAPTERXXII.

MUTINYINTHECAMP.

HughJohnwasholdinghiscourtundertheweeping-elm,andwasbeingvisitedindetailbyhisarmy.TheCartershadcomeover,and,afteravigorousengagementandpursuit,hehadevenforgivenSammyforhislackofhardihoodinnotresistingtothedeathatthegreatbattleoftheBlackSheds.

"Butithurtssoconfoundedly,"arguedSammy;"ifitdidn't,I

shouldn'tmindgettingkilledabit!"

"Lookatme,"saidHughJohn;"I'malloverpeelsandIdon'tcomplain."

"Oh!Idaresay--it'sallverywellforyou,"retortedSammy,"youliketofight,anditwasyouthatbeganthefuss,butIonlyfightbecauseyou'djolly-well-hammermeifIdidn't!"

"CourseIwould,"agreedhisofficer,"don'tyouknowthat'swhat

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generalsarefor?"

"Well,"concludedSammyCarter,summingthematterupphilosophically,"'tain'tmycastleanyway."

*****

Thereviewwasover.Inthesafequietoftheelm-treeshelterGeneralNapoleonmighthavebeenseentakinghiswell-earnedrepose.Hewassurroundedbyhisentirefollowing--except,ofcourse,thetwoGeneralsofDivision,whowereengagedinsweepingoutthestable-yard.Butthesewereconsideredsociallysupernumeraryatanyrate,except(asomewhatimportantexception)whentherewasfightingtobedone.

"Idon'tseethatwe'vedonesoverymuchtomakeabragaboutanyhow,"beganSammyCarter.

GeneralSmithdexterouslycaughthimontheearwithayoungturnip,whichincompanywithseveralfriendshadwanderedinofitsownaccordfromthenearestfieldonthehomefarm.

"Ishouldsay_you_didn'tdomuch!"hesneeredpointedly;"youhookeditashardasyoucouldafterthefirstskirmish.Why,youhaven'tgot

asinglesoreplaceaboutyoutoshowforit."

"Yes,Ihave!"retortedSammyinhighindignation.

[Illustration:"SAMMYCARTERMUTINOUS."]

"Well,let'sseeitthen!"commandedhisgeneralinakindliertone.

"Can't--ladiespresent!"saidSammysuccinctly,intotheretreatingrear-guardofwhosedivisionthetriumphantenemyhadchargedwiththepikesnatchedfromhissister'shands.

"All_my_woundsareinfront._I_foughtanddiedwithmyfacetothe

foe!"saidHughJohninhisnoblestmanner.

"AndId'liveredDonald!"contributedToadyLioncomplacently.

"Oh,_that_ain'tanything,"sneeredSammyCarter,whowasnotinagoodhumour.HistonerousedGeneralNapoleon,whohadthestrongfamilyfeelingsofalltheBuonapartes.

"Shutup,Sammy,orI'llcomeandkickyou.NoneofusdidanythingexceptToadyLion.Youranaway,andIgottakenprisoner.ToadyLionistheonlymanamongus!"

"Irunnedawaytoo--atfirst,"confessedthecandidToadyLion,who

feltthathehadsomuchrealcreditthathedidnotneedtotakeagrainmorethanhedeserved."ButIcomedbackquick--andId'liveredDonaldoutofprison,anyway--Idid!"

SammyCarterevidentlyhadasharpretortreadyonthetipofhistongue,butheknewwellthepricehewouldhavetopayforutteringit.HughJohn'seyewasuponhim,hisrighthandwasclosingonabiggerturnip--soSammyforbore.Buthekickedhisfeetmorediscontentedlythaneverintotheturf.

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"Well,"hesaid,changingthevenueoftheargument,"Idon'tthinkmuchofyouroldcastleanyway.Myfathercouldhavetwiceasgoodacastleifheliked----"

"Oh,'coursehecould"--HughJohn'svoicewasdistinctlyironical--"hemightplantitonapeatysoil,andgrowitfromseedintwoyears;orperhapshewouldlikeacuttingoffours!"

Mr.DavenantCarterwasadistinguishedagriculturistandflorist.

"Don'tyouspeakagainstmyfather!"criedSammyCarter,gloweringatGeneralNapoleoninawayinwhichprivatesdonotoftenlookattheirCommanders-in-Chief.

"Who'stouchingyourfather?"thelattersaid,alittlemoresoothingly."Seehere,Sammy,you'vegotyourcoatonwrongsideoutto-day.Gohomeandsleeponit.'Tisn'tmyfaultifyoudidrunaway,andgothomebeforeyoursister--withablueplaceonyourback."

SammyCarterflungoutfromundertheshelteroftheelmandwentinsearchofPrissy,fromwhominallhismoodshewassureofcomfortandunderstanding.Hewasasomewhatdelicateboy,andgenerallyspeakinghatedquarrellingasmuchasshedid;buthehadaclevertongue,whichoftenbroughthimintotrouble,and,likemostother

humorists,hedidnotatallrelishajestathisownexpense.

Ashewent,hewaspursuedandstungbythebrutallyunrefinedtauntsofHughJohn.

"Yes,goontoPrissy;Ithinkshehasasparedoll.Goandplayat'house'!It'sallyou'regoodfor!"

Thusencouragedbytheirgeneral,therestofthecompany--thatis,CissyandSirToadyLion,joinedinsingingacertainstirringandirritatingrefrainpopularamongtheyouthofBordershire.

"_Lassie-boy,lassie-boy,fieforshame!

Coward'syournature,andJennie'syourname!_"

SammyCarterstoodpoisedforflightwithhiseyesblazingwithanger.

"Youthinkalotofyouroldtumble-downcastle;butthetownboyshavegotitinspiteofyou;andwhat'smore,they'veaflagflyingonitwith'DownwithSmith!'onit.Isawit.Hoorayforthetownboys!"

AndwiththisParthianarrowhedisappearedatfullspeeddowntheavenue.

ForamomentHughJohnwasparalysed.Hetriedtopooh-poohthematter,buthecouldnotbutadmitthatitmightverywellbetrue;so

heinstantlydespatchedToadyLionforPrissy,who,asweknow,wasthefleetestrunnerofthemall.Uponherreportingforduty,theGeneralsenthertobringbackwordifthestateofaffairswasasreported.

Itwas.Alargeredflagwasflying,withtheinscriptioninwhiteuponit,"DownwithSmith!"whileabovetheinscriptiontherewaswhatlookedlikearudeattemptatadeath'sheadandcrossbones.HughJohnknewthisensigninamoment.Onceuponatime,inhiswildyouth,hehadservedunderitasapirateonthehighseas;butofthishenow

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utterednoword.

*****

ItwasinsuchmomentsthatthetruequalitiesofthebornleadercameoutinGeneralNapoleonSmith.Instantlyhedismissedhisattendants,puthisfingertohisforehead,andsatdowntodrawamapofthecampaigninthegenuineNapoleonicmanner.

Atlast,afterquiteawhile,herappeduponthetable.

"Ihaveit,"hecried,"wemustfindanally."Theproblemwassolved.

CHAPTERXXIII.

CISSYCARTER,BOYS'GIRL.

NowPrissySmithwasagirls'girl,whileCissyCarterwasaboys'girl.Thatwasmainlythedifferencebetweenthem.NotthatPrissydid

notloveboys'playuponoccasion,forwhichindeedherfleetnessoffootparticularlyfittedher.AlsoifHughJohnteasedhershenevercriednortoldonhim,butwaitedtillhewaslookingtheotherwayandthengavehimsomethingforhimselfontheear.Butonthewholeshewasagirls'girl,andherideaofthewaytofightwasslappingherdollswhentheywerenaughty.

Now,Mr.PictonSmithsaidthatmostreligionwassummedupintwomaxims,"Don'ttelllies,"and"Don'ttelltales."TotheseHughJohnaddedathird,atleastequalincanonicity,"Don'tbedasht-mean."IntheseyouhavebrieflycomprehendedalltheLawandtheProphetsofthehouseofWindyStandard.

CissyCarter,however,wasatom-boy:youcouldnotgetoverthat.Therewasnootherwordforher.Sheneverplayedwithgirlsifshecouldbetterherself.Shedespiseddolls;shehatedbotanyandthepiano.Hergovernesshadahardbutlivelytimeofit,andhaditnotbeenforherbrotherSammycoachingherinshortcutstoknowledge,shewouldhavebeenleftfarbehindintheexactsciencesofspellingandthemultiplication-table.Asitwas,betweenatendencytoscrambleforscrapsofinformationandtherunofaprettywidelibrary,Cissyknewmorethananyonegavehercreditfor.

OnonememorableoccasionitwasCissy'sdutytotakehergrandmotherforawalk.NowtheDowagerMrs.DavenantCarterwasthedearestandmostfairy-likeoldladyintheworld,andCissywasveryproudto

walkintoEdamwithher.Forhergrandmotherhadnotforgottenhowgoodconfectionstastedtogirlsofthirteen,andtherewasquiteaniceshopintheHighStreet.Theirrose-dropsespeciallywerealmostasgoodasdoing-what-you-were-told-not-to,andtheirpeppermintsforuseinchurchhadquitetheforceofareligiousobservance.

ButMrs.DavenantCarterhadaweakeye,andwhenevershewentout,sheputalargegreenshadeoverit.SoonedayithappenedthatCissywaswalkingabroadwithhergrandmother,withavisionofrose-drop-shopintheoffing.Astheywerepassingoneofthevillas

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nearesttotheirhouse,acertainrudeboy,WedgwoodBakerthenameofhim,seeingthelameoldladytrippingbyonhersticklikeafairygodmother,calledoutloudly"Goit,oldblindpatch!"

Hewassorrytheminuteafter,forinonemomentCissyCarterhadpulledoffherwhitethreadgloves,climbedthefence,andhadlandedwhatHughJohnwouldhavecalled"One,two,three--andatiger"uponthepersonofMasterWedgwoodBaker.

IdonotsaythatallCissyCarter'sblowswerestrictlyaccordingtoQueensberryrules.Butatanyratetheungallantyouthwaspromptlydoubledup,andretreatedyellingintothehouse,asitwerefallingbackuponhisreserves.

ThatsameeveningthecardofMrs.Baker,LaurelVilla,Edam,wasbroughttothediningtableofMrs.DavenantCarter.

"Theladydeclinestocomein,m'am.Shesaysshemustseeyouimmediatelyatthedoor,"saidthescandalisedhousemaid.

Cissy'smotherwentintothehallwiththecardinherhand,andalookofgentlesurprisedinquiryonherface.There,onthedoorstepwasMrs.Baker,withayoungandhopefulbutsadlydamagedWedgwoodtaggingbehindher,likeaweak-mindedpuntintowofanancient

threedecker.

[Illustration:"'LOOKATHIM,MADAM,'SAIDMRS.BAKER."]

Theinjuredladybeganatonceavolublecomplaint.

"Lookathim,madam.Thatisthehandiworkofyourdaughter.Thepoorboywasquietlydigginginthegarden,cultivatingafewunpretendingflowers,whenyourdaughter,madam,suddenlyflewathimovertherailingsandstruckhimonthefacesofuriouslythat,ifIhadnotcometotherescue,thedearboymighthavelosttheuseofbothhiseyes.ButmosthappilyIheardthedisturbanceandwentoutandstoppedher."

"Dearme,thisis_very_sad,"falteredlittleMrs.Carter;"I'msureIdon'tknowwhatcanhavecomeoverCissy.Areyousurethereisnomistake?"

"Mistake!No,indeed,madam,thereisnomistake,Isawherwithmyowneyes--agreatgirltwiceWedgwood'ssize."

AtthispointMr.DavenantCartercametothedoorwithhistable-napkininhishand.

"What'sthis--what'sthis?"hedemandedinhisquickway--"Cissyandyoursonbeenfighting?"

"Noindeed,sir,"saidthecomplainantindignantly;"thisdearboyneversomuchasliftedahandtoher.Ah,hereshecomes--thevery--ahem,youngladyherself."

Allignorantofthetroubleinstoreforher,Cissycamewhistlingthroughthelaurelswithhalf-a-dozendogsatherheels.AtsightofherMrs.Bakerbridledandperkedherchinwithindignationtillallherblackbuglesclashedandtwinkled.

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"Comehere,Cissy,"saidherfathersternly."Didyoustrikethisboyto-dayinfrontofhismother'sgate?"

"Yes,Idid,"quoththeundauntedCissy,"andwhat'smore,I'lldoitagain,andgivehimtwiceasmuch,ifheeverdarestocall_my_ grandmother'OldBlindPatch'again--Idon'tcareifheistwoyearsandthreemonthsolderthanme!"

"Didyoucallnamesatmymother?"demandedCissy'sfather,toweringupverybig,andlookingremarkablystern.

MasterWedgwoodhadnodenialready;buthehadhisbestbootsonandhelookedveryhardatthem.

"Come,Wedgwooddear,tellthemthatyoudidnotcallnames.Youknowyoucouldnot!"

"Inevercallednobodynames.Itwasherthathitme!"snivelledWedgwood.

"Now,youhear,"saidhismother,asifthatsettledthequestion.

"Oh,youlittleliar!WaittillIcatchyouout!"saidCissy,goingastepnearerasifshewouldliketobeginagain."I'llteachyouto

tellliesonme."

Mrs.BakerofLaurelVillaheldupherhandssothatthelacemittscametogetherlikethefingersofafigureofgriefuponatomb."Whatadreadfulgirl!"shesaid,lookingupasiftoaskHeaventosupporther.

Mr.DavenantCarterrememberedhispositionasacountymagistrate.Alsohedesiredtostandwellwithallhisneighbours.

"Madam,"hesaidtoMrs.Baker,intheimpressivetoneinwhichheaddressedpublicmeetings,"Iregretexceedinglythatyoushouldhavebeenputtothistrouble.Ithinkthatforthefutureyouwillhaveno

reasontocomplainofmydaughter.Willyouallowmetoconductyouacrossthepoliciesbytheshorterway?Cissy,gotobed_atonce_,andstoptheretillIbidyougetup!ThatwillteachyoutotakethelawintoyouownhandswhenyourfatherisaJusticeofthePeace!"

ThishesaidinsuchasternvoicethatMrs.Bakerwasmuchflatteredandquiteappeased.Hewalkedwiththeladytothesmallgateintheboundarywall,openeditwithhisprivatekey,andlastofallshookhandswithhisvisitorwiththemostdistinguishedcourtesy.Somedayhemeanttostandfortheburghandherbrotherswerewell-to-dogrocersinthetown.

"Sir,"shesaidinparting,"Ihopeyouwillnotbetooseverewith

theyounglady.Perhapsafterallshewasonlyatrifleimpulsive!"

"Disciplinemustbemaintained,"saidMr.DavenantCartersternly,closing,however,atthesametimetheeyelidmostremotefromMrs.BakerofLaurelVilla.

"Itshowswhatahumbugpais,"mutteredCissy,asshewentupstairs;"heknowsverywellitisbed-timeanyway.Idon'tbelieveheisangryonebit!"

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Whenherfathercamein,helookedoverathiswife.Iamafraidhedeliberatelywinked,thoughintheinterestsofmoralityItrustImaybemistaken.ForhowcouldaJusticeofthePeaceandafutureMemberofParliamentdemeanhimselftowink?

"Jane,"hesaidtoMrs.Carter,"whatdoesCissylikemostofallforsupper?"

"Alittlebitofchickenandbread-saucedonewithbroiledbacon--atleastIthinkso,dear--whydoyouask?"

Hecalledthetablemaid.

"Walbridge,"hesaidsternly,"takethatdisgracefulgirlupthebreastandbothwingsofachicken,alsothreenicepiecesofcrispbacon,fournewpotatoeswithbutter-sauce,someraspberrytartwiththickcreamandplentyofsugar--andawholebottleofzoedone.Butmindyou,_nothingelse_,asyouvalueyourplace--notanotherbiteforsuchaboldbadgirl.Thiswillteachhertogoaboutthecountrythrashingboystwoyearsolderthanherself!"

Helookedoveracrossthetableathisson.

"Letthisbealessontoyou,sir,"hesaid,frowningsternlyathim.

"Yes,sir,"saidSammymeekly,winkinginhisturnveryconfidentiallyataflywhichwashavingafreewashandbrush-upontheedgeofthefingerbowl,aftercompletingtheroundofthedishesonthedinnertable.

CHAPTERXXIV.

CHARITYBEGINSATHOME--ANDENDSTHERE.

Nowallthishasnothingtodowiththestory,excepttoshowwhatsortofagirlCissyCarterwas,andhowshedifferedfromPrissySmith--whointhesecircumstanceswouldcertainlyhavegonehomeandprayedthatGodwouldintimemakeWedgwoodBakerabetterboy,insteadoftacklingmissionaryworkonthespotwithherknucklesasCissyCarterdid.

Itwasseveraldayslater,andtheflagoftheSmoutchyboysstillflewdefiantlyoverthebattlementsofthecastle.ThegreatGeneralwasgrowingdiscouraged,forinlittlemorethanaweekhisfathermightreturnfromLondon,andwoulddoubtlesstakeupthematterhimself.Then,withthecomingofpolicemenandtheputtingupof

fencesandnotice-boards,allromancewouldbegoneforever.Besideswhich,mostofthetownboyswouldhavetogobacktoschool,andtheCarters'governessandtheirownwouldbereturningtoannoythemwithlessons,andstillmoreuncalledforaggravationsastomanners.

CissyCarterhadgivenSammytheslip,andstartedtocomeoverbyherselftoWindyStandard.Itwastheafternoon,andshecamepastthegipsyencampmentwhichMr.PictonSmithhadfoundonsomeunenclosedlandontheothersideoftheEdamWater,andwhich,spiteoftheremonstrancesofhisbrother-landlords,hehadpermittedtoremain

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there.

ThepermanentIshmaelitishestablishmentconsistedofaboutadozensmallhuts,someentirelyconstructedofroughstone,othersofturfwithonlyastoneinterposedhereandthere;butallhadmudchimneys,roughdoorways,andwindowsglazedwiththemostextraordinarycollectionofoldglass,rags,wispsofstraw,andoiledcloth.Dogsbarkedhoarselyandshrillyaccordingtotheirkind,raggedclothesflutteredonextemporisedlines,ormadeaparti-colouredpatch-workonthegrassandonthegorsebusheswhichgrewallalongthebank.Therewerealsoascoreoftentsandcaravansdottedhereandthereabouttheroughground.Half-a-dozenswarthyladsrosesilentlyandstaredafterCissyasshepassed.

Atalllimberyouthsittingonaheapofstonesexaminingadog'sback,lookedupandscowledasshecameby.Cissysawanunhealedwoundandstopped.

"Letmelookathim,"shesaid,reachingoutherhandforthewhitefox-terrier.

"Watchout,miss,"saidthelad,"he'snastywiththesore.He'llbitequickasmustard!"

"Hewon'tbiteme,"saidCissy,takingupthedogcalmly,whichafteradoubtfulsniffsubmittedtobehandledwithoutamurmur.

"Thisshouldbethoroughlywashed,andhavesomeboracicointmentputonitatonce,"saidCissy,withthequickemphasisofanexpert.

"Ain'tgotnoneo'thestuff,"saidtheyouthsullenly,"norcan'taffordtobuyit.Besides,who'stowashhimfirstoff,andhiminatemperlikethat?"

"ComeoverwithmetoOaklandsandI'llgetyousomeointment.I'llwashhimmyselfinaminute."

Theboywhistled.

"That'sagood'un,"hesaid,"likelythingmetogotoOaklands!"

"Andwhy?"saidCissy;"it'smyfather'splace.I'vejustcomefromthere."

"Thenyourfather'sabeak,andIain'tgoingafoot--notifIknowit,"saidthelad.

"Awhat--oh!youmeanamagistrate--soheis.Well,then,ifyoufeellikethataboutitI'llrunoverbymyself,andsneaksomeointmentfromthestables."

Andwithacarelesswaveofthehand,apatontheheadanda"Poo'fellowthen"tothewhitefox-terrier,shewasoff.

Theyouthcasthisvoiceoverhisshoulderstoadozencompanionswhowerehidinginthebroombehind.Hisfaceandtonewerebothfullofsurpriseandadmiration.

[Illustration:"'LETMELOOKATHIM,'SHESAID."]

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"Say,chaps,didyouhearher?Shesaidshe'd'sneak'theointmentfromthestables.Itell'eewhat,she'llbeararegoodpluckedonethat.Andherabeak'sdaughter!Hermothermunha'beenapiece!"

Itwashalf-an-hourbeforeCissygotbackwiththepotofboracicdressingandsomelint.

"Ihadtowaittillthecoachmanhadgonetohistea,"sheexplained,"andthensendthestableboywithamessagetothevillagetogethimoutoftheway."

Theyouthonthestoneheapsecretlysignalledhisdelighttotheappreciativeaudiencehidinginthebroombushes.

ThenCissyorderedhimtogethersomewarmwater,whichhebroughtfromoneofthekettlesswingingonthebirchentripodsscatteredhereandthereabouttheencampment.

Whereupon,takingthefox-terrierfirmlyonherkneeandturninguptheskirtofherdress,shewashedawayallthedirtandmattedhair,cleansingthewoundthoroughly.

Thepoorbeastonlymadeafaintwhiningsoundatintervals.Thensheappliedtheantisepticdressing,andboundthelinttightlydownwith

acinctureabouttheanimal.Shefittedhisneckwithaneatcollarofherowninvention,madeoutofthewickercoveringofaChiantiwineflaskwhichshebroughtwithherfromOaklands.

"There,"shesaid,"thatwillkeephimfrombitingatit,andyoumustseethathedoesn'tscratchoffthebandage.I'llbepassingto-morrowandwilldropin.Here'sthepotofointment.Putsomemoreoninthemorningandsomeagainatnight,andhewillbeallrightinadayortwo."

"Thank'ee,miss,"saidthelad,touchinghiscapwiththenaturalcourtesywhichisinherentinthebestbloodofhisrace."Idon'tmeantoforget,youbesure."

Cissywavedherhandtohimgaily,asshewentofftowardsWindyStandard.Thenallatonceshestopped.

"Bytheway,whatisyourname?WhomshallIaskforifyouarenotaboutto-morrow?"

"BillyBlythe,"hesaid,afteramoment'spausetoconsiderwhetherthedaughterofamagistratewastobetrusted;"butI'llbehereto-morrowrightenough!"

"Whydidyoutellthebeak'sdaughteryourname,Bill,youbloomingJohnny?"askedacompanion."You'llgetthirtydaysforthatsure!"

"Shutup,FishLee,"saidtheownerofthedog;"thegirlismainright.D'yethinkshe'dha'said'sneaked'ifshewasn't.G'way,Bacon-chump!"

CissyCartertooktheroadtoWindyStandardwithagoodconscience.Shewasnottroubledaboutthe"sneaking,"thoughshehopedthatthecoachmanwouldnotmissthatpotofointment.

Atthefootoftheavenue,justwhereitjoinedthedustyroadtothe

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townofEdam,shemetSirToadyLion.Hehadhisarmsfullofvaluablesparklingjewellery,orwhatinthedistancelookedlikeitasthesunshoneuponsomewinkingyellowmetal.

ToadyLionbegantalkingtwentytothedozenassoonaseverhecamewithinCissy'srange.

"Oo!"hecried,"what'oofink?Fathersenteduseachagreatbighalf-crownfromLondon--alltospend.Andwehavespendedit."

"Well,"saidCissygenially,"andwhatdidyoubuy?"

"UsallwenteddowntoEdamandboughted--oh!yotsoffings."

"Showmewhatyou'vebought,ToadyLion!Iwanttosee!Howmuchmoneyhadyou,didyousay?"

ToadyLionsatplumpdowninthethickestdustoftheroad,ashealwaysdidjustwhereverhehappenedtobeatthetime.Iftherechancedtobeapoolthereoraflower-bed--why,somuchtheworse.ButwheneverToadyLionwantedtositdown,hesatdown.Here,however,therewasonlythedrydustoftheroadandabrownsmatteroflastyear'sleaves.Thegallantknightwasinameditativemoodandinclinedtomoralise.

"Money,"saidToadyLionthoughtfully,"well,dere'sthemoneythatyougetgivedyou,andwotJanetsezyoumussputinyourmoney-box.That'snogood!Money-boxlocked!Janetkeepsmoney-box.'Getmoneywhenyouarebig,'shesez--rubbage,Ifink--shan'twantitthen--lotsandlotsintrowsies'pocketthen,goldsixpencesandfings."

ToadyLion'seyesweredreamyandglorious,asiftheangelswerewhisperingtohim,andhesawunspeakablethings,

"Thenthere'smiss'narymoneyinaroundboxwifaslitonthetop.That'slotsbetter!Sitsonmantlepieceindining-room.Cangetitoutwifslimmy-jimmyknifewhennobody'slooking.HughJohnshowedmehow.

Prissysaysboyswhograbmiss'nary'spennieswon'tnotgotoheaven,butHughJohn,hesays--yes.'Causewhymiss'nary'smoneyisforbadwickedpeopletomakethemgood.Thenifitiswickedtotakemiss'narymoney,themoneymussbemeanedforus--todogoodtomeandHughJohn.HughJohnfinksso.Metoo!"

ToadyLionspokeinshortsentenceswithpausesbetween,Cissymeantimenoddingappreciation.

"Yes,Iknow,"shesaidmeditatively,"athinbladedkitchenknifeisbest."

ButSirToadyLionhadstartedoutonthetrackofRightandWrong,

andwasintentonrunningthemdownwithhisusualslowpersistence.

"Andthenthemiss'narymoneyisweally-weallyourmoney,'causeJanet _makes_usputitin.OnstHughJohntriedmetalbuttonsoffofhisoldsergetrowsies.ButJanetshefoundout.Andhegotsmacked.An'nen,usonlytakesapennyoutwhenusis_tony-bloke_!"

"Iswhich?Oh,stone-broke,"laughedCissyCarter,sittingdownbesideToadyLion;"whotaughtyoutosaythatword?"

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"HughJohn,"saidthesmallboywistfully;"himandmetony-blokeall-ee-time,all-ee-ways,all-ee-while!"

"DoesPrissyhaveanyof--themissionarymoney?"saidCissy;"Ishould!"

"No,"saidToadyLionsadly;"don'tyouknow?OurPrissy'sawfulgood,jusshowwid!Shelikesgoin'tochurch,an'washing,an'havingtoweargloves.Girlsisawfulfunny."

"Theyare,"saidCissyCarterpromptly.Thefunninessofhersexhadoftentroubledher."Buttellme,ToadyLion,"shewenton,"doesHughJohnlikegoingtochurch,andbeingwashed,andthings?"

"Who?HughJohn--him?"saidToadyLion,withslowcontempt."'Coursehedon't.Why,he'saboy.AndoncehetoldMr.Burnhamso--hedid."

Mr.Burnhamwastheclergymanofbothfamilies.Hehadrecentlycometotheplace,wasawell-setupbachelor,andrepresentedacommunionwhichwasnotbyanymeansthedominantoneinBordershire.

"Yes,indeedy.Itwasundertheelm.Uswashavingtea.An'Mist'rBurnham,hewashavingtea.AndfatherandPrissy.And,oh!suchalotofpeoples.Andhesez,Mist'rBurnhamseztoHughJohn,'Youaregood

littleboy.IsawyouinchurchonSunday.Doyouliketogotochurch?'Hespokelikethis-a-way,jusslikeI'mtellin'oo,downhereunderhissilkwaistcoat--kindofgrowly,butnice."

"HughJohnsaythathelikedtogotochurch--'cosfatherwastherelistenin',yousee.ThenMist'rBurnhamaskHughJohnWHYheliketogotochurch,andofcourse,hesaywightoutthatitwastolookatSergeantSteel'swedcoat.An'neneverybodylaugh--Idon'tknowwhy.ButMist'rBurnhamhelaughedmost."

Cissyalsofailedtounderstandwhyeverybodyshouldhavelaughed.ToadyLiontookuptheburdenofhistale.

"Yes,indeedy,andoneSunday_I_didn'thavetogotochurch--'cosI'dyetupsuchayotofgweengooseb----"

"Allright,ToadyLion,Iknow!"interruptedCissyquickly.

"Ofgweengooseberries,"persistedToadyLioncalmly;"soIhadgotmytummyoninfront.Ithurtedlike--well,likewhenyougetsanddown'ootrowsies.Did'ooevergetsandin'ootrowsies,Cissy?"

"Hush--ofcoursenot!"saidCissyCarter;"girlsdon'thavetrowsers--theyhave----"

ButanyinjudiciousrevelationsonCissy'spartwerestoppedbyToady

Lion,whosaid,"No,shouldjussfinknot.Girlsistoogreatsoftstohavetrowsies.

"Onstthoughonthesandsataseaside,whenIwas'_kye-kying_'outloudan'kickin'fings,'cosIwasnotnaughtybutonlyfractious,derewasaladywatsaid'Bedood,littleboy,whycan'tyoubedood?'

"An'nenIsays,'HowcanIbedood?Could'oobedoodwifallthatsandin'ootrowsies?'

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"An'nen--theladyshewentedawayquick,soquick--Ican'ttellwhy.P'raps_she_hadsandinhertrowsies!Does'oofinkso,Cissy?"

"That'lldo--Iquiteunderstand,"saidCissyCarter,somewhathastily,indreadofToadyLion'swell-knownlicenseofspeech.

"An'nen'notherdayafterwecomedhomeIwentintotheparkandclumupanicetree.An'itwaseversogweenandscratchy.'Anitwasnice.Nenfatherhecamewalkinghishorseslowuptheroad,n'Ihid.Butfatherheseenme.Andhesay,'Whatyoudoingthere,littleboy?Youbreakyouneck.NenIwhipyou.Comedown,youwaskal!'Hesaiditbig--downhere,(ToadyLionillustratedwithhishandtheplacefromwhichhesupposedhisfather'svoicetoproceed).An'itmademefeelallqueeran'trimbly,likeourguineapig'snosewhenfatherspeaklikethat.An'Isaystohim,'Course,father,youneverclumbupnotreesonSundayswhen_you_waslittleboy!'An'nenhedidn'tspeaknomoredownherethattrimblyway,butlaughed,andpulledmedown,androdedmehomeinfrontofhim,andgivedmebighunkofpie--yes,indeedy!"

ToadyLionfeltthatnowhehadtalkedquiteenough,andbegantoarrangehisbrasscannonsonthedust,inaplanofattackwhichbeleagueredCissyCarter'sfootandturnedherflanktotheleft.

"Wheredidyougetallthosenicenewcannons?Youhaven'ttoldmeyet,"shesaid.

"Boughtedthem!"answeredToadyLionpromptly,"leastIboughtedsome,andHughJohnboughtedsome,an'Prissysheboughtedsome."

"Andhowdoyoucometohavethemall?"askedCissy,watchingtheimposingarray.AsusualitwastheBattleofBannockburnandtheEnglishweregettingithot.

"Well,"saidToadyLionthoughtfully,"'twasthisway.'OoseesPrissyhadhalf-a-crown,an'sheboughtedasillybookallabouta'Lamplighter'forherself--an'twobrasscannons--oneforHughJohn

an'oneforme.AndHughJohnhehadhalf-a-crown,an'heboughtedthreebrasscannon,twoforhimselfandoneforme."

"Andwhatdidyoubuywithyourhalf-crown?"saidCissy,bendingherbrowssweetlyuponthesmallgunner.

"Wifmyhalf-a-crown?Oh,Ijustboughtedthreebrasscannons--_deywasallformine-self_!"

"ToadyLion,"criedCissyindignantly,"youareaselfishlittlepig!Ishan'tstopwithyouanymore."

"Littlepigsisnice,"saidToadyLion,unmoved,arranginghiscannon

alloveragainonanewplanaftertheremovalofCissy'sfoot;"theirnoses----"

"Don'tspeaktomeabouttheirnoses,youselfishlittleboy!Blowyourownnose."

"Nouse,"saidToadyLionphilosophically;"won'tstayblowed.'Tistooduicy!"

CissysetoffindisgusttowardsthehouseofWindyStandard,leaving

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ToadyLioncalmlyplayingwithhissixcannonallaloneinthewhitedustoftheking'shighway.

CHAPTERXXV.

LOVE'S(VERY)YOUNGDREAM.

Cissyfoundourheroinasadstateofdepression.Prissyhadgoneofftoeveningservice,andhadpromisedtointroduceaspecialpetitionthathemightbeattheSmoutchyboys;butGen'lSmithshookhishead.

"WithPrissyyoucan'tnevertell.LikeasnotshemaygoandpraythatNipperDonnanmaygetconverted,ordieandgotoheaven,orsomethinglikethat.She'ddoitlikewinking,withoutathoughtforhowIshouldfeel!That'sthesortofgirlourPrissis!"

"Oh,surelynotsobadasthat,"saidCissy,veryproperlyscandalised.

"Shewould,indeed,"saidHughJohn,noddinghisheadvehemently;

"she'sgoodnoend,ourPrissyis.Andnevershirksprayers,norforgetsaltogether,norevensaystheminbed.Ibelieveshe'dgetuponafrostynightandsaythemwithoutafire--shewould,I'mtellingyou.AndshedoatsonthesenastySmoutchies.She'djustlovetohavebeentortured.She'dhaveregularlyspreadherselfonforgivingthemtoo,ourPrisswould."

"Iwouldn'thaveforgivedthem,"criedthepipingvoiceofToadyLion,suddenlyappearingthroughtheshrubbery(hisownmoreexcellentformwas"scrubbery"),withhisarmsfullofthenewbrasscannons;"Iwouldn'thaveforgivedthemabit.I'dhavecuttedoffalltheirheads."

"Go'way,littlepig!"criedCissyindignantly.

"ToadyLionisn'talittlepig,"saidHughJohn,withdignity;"heismybrother."

"Buthekeptallthecannonstohimself,"remonstratedCissy.

"'Coursehedid;whyshouldn'the?He'sonlyalittleboy,andcan'tgrowgoodallatonce,"saidHughJohn,withmoreChristiancharitythanmighthavebeenexpectedofhim.

"You'vebeengrowinggoodyourself,"saidCissy,thrustingoutherupperlipwithanexpressionofbitterreproachanddisappointment;

"I'dbettergohome."

"I'llhityouifyousaythat,Cissy,"criedHughJohn,"butanywayyoushan'tcallToadyLionalittlepig."

"Ilikebeinglittlepig,"saidToadyLionimpassively;"littlepiggiegoes'_Grunt-grunt!_'"

Andheillustratedthepeculiaritiesofpiglingsbypullingtheairupthroughhisnostrilsinvariouskeys."Littlepigsisnice,"he

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repeatedattheendofthisperformance.

Cissywasveryangry.Thingsappearedtobeparticularlyhorridthatafternoon.Shehadstartedouttohelpeverybody,andhadonlymanagedtoquarrelwiththem.EvenherownfamiliarHughJohnhadlifteduphisheelagainsther.Itwasthelaststraw.Butshewasresolvedtonotgiveinnow.

"Goodlittleboy"--shesaidtauntingly--"itissuchamother'spet!Itwillbegoodthen,andgoandaskNipper'spardon,andsendbackDonaldtomakenicemuttonpies;itshallthen----!"

HughJohnmadearushatthispoint.Therewasawildscurryofflight,andthegravelfleweveryway.Cissywascapturedbehindthestable,andHughJohnwasabouttoadministerpunishment.Hishandwasdoubled.Itwasdrawnback.

"Yes,"criedCissy,"hitagirl!Anyboycanbeatyou.Butyoucanhitagirl!Hithard,bravesoldier!"

HughJohn'shanddroppedasifstruckbylightning.

"Ineverdid!"hesaid;"Ifoughttenofthematonceandneverevencriedwhenthey--whenthey----"

Andtheerstwhiledauntlesswarriorshowedunmistakablesignsofbeingperilouslynearadescentintothevaleoftears.

"Whentheywhat?"queriedCissysoftly,suddenlybeginningtobesorry.

"Well,whentheytorturedme,"saidHughJohn.

[Illustration:"'HITHARD,BRAVESOLDIER.'"]

Cissywentupsuddenlyandkissedhim.Itwasonlyapeckwhichreachedlandatthetopcornerofhisear;butitmadeHughJohn

crimsonhotly,andfendCissyoffwithhiselbowasifshehadbeenabigboyabouttostrike.

"There,now,"shesaid,"I'vedoneit.IpromisedIwould,andwhat'smore,I'llsayitoutloud--'Iloveyou!'There!Andifyoudon'tmindandbehave,I'lltellpeople.Iwill,nowthen.Butallthesame,I'msorryIwasabeasttoyou."

"Well,don'tdoitagain,"saidHughJohn,somewhatmollified,slightlydroppingthepointofhisdefensiveelbow."Anybodymighthaveseenyou,andthenwhatwouldtheythink?"

"Allright,"saidCissysoothingly,"Iwon'tanymore."

"Say'Hope-you-may-die!'"

Cissypromptlyhopedshemightcometoanearlygraveintheeventofagainbetraying,eveninprivate,theexuberanceofheryoungaffection.

"Now,HughJohn,"saidCissy,whenpeacehadbeenrestoredinthismanner,andtheywerewanderingamicablyacrossthebackmeadowwheretheycouldnotbeseenfromthehousewindows,takingalternatesucks

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atastickofbrowntoffeewithcrumbsstuckfirmlyonit,thepropertyofCissy,"I'vesomethingtotellyou.I'vefoundthealliesforyou;andwecanwhoptheSmoutchiesandtakethecastlenow--anytime."

TheeyesofGeneralNapoleonSmithglistened.

"Ifthat'strue,"hesaid,"youcankissmeagain--no,notnow,"headdedhastily,movingoffalittle,"butafter,whenit'sallover,youknow.There'sagoodplacebehindthebarn.Youcandoitthereifyoulike."

"Will_you_say'Iloveyou,Cissy'?"

ButthiswasmorethanHughJohnhadbargainedfor.Heaskedtimeforconsideration.

"Itwon'tbetilltheSmoutchyboysarebeatenandthecastleoursforgood,"pleadedCissy.

HughJohnfeltthatitwasagreatpricetopay,butafterallhedidwantdreadfullytobeattheSmoutchyboys.

"Well,I'lltry,"hesaid,"butyoumustsay,'Hope-you'll-dieand

double-die,'ifyouevertell!"

AgainCissytooktherequiredoath.

"Well?"saidheexpectantly,hismindaltogetheronthecampaign.

CissytoldhimallaboutthegipsyencampmentandthehistoryofthemeetingwithBillyBlythe.HughJohnnodded.Ofcourseheknewallaboutthat,butwouldtheyjoin?WeretheynotratheronthesideoftheSmoutchies?Theylookedasiftheywouldbe.

"Oh,youcan'tnevertellabitbeforehand,"saidCissyeagerly."Theyjusthatethetownboys;andBillBlythesaysthatNipperDonnan's

fathersaid,thatwhenthetowngotthecastletheywouldsoonclearthegipsiesoffyourcommon--forthatgoeswiththecastle."

HughJohnnoddedagainmorethoughtfully.Therewascertainlysomethinginthat.Hehadheardhisfathersayasmuchtohislawyerwhenhehimselfwascurleduponthesofa,pretendingtoreadFroissart's"Chronicles,"butreallylisteningashardaseverhecould.

"Youareabrick,"hecried,"youareindeed,Cissy.Comeon,let'sgoatonceandseeBillyBlythe."

Andhetookherhand.Sheheldbackamoment.Theyweresafebehind

thegreativybushatthebackofthestables.

"Couldn'tyousayitnow?"shewhispered,withasoftlightinhereyes;"Iwishyoucould.Try."

HughJohn'sfacedarkened.Heunshippedhiselbowfromhissidetobereadyforaction.

"Well,Iwon'taskyoutillafter,"shesaidregretfully."'Tain'tfair,Iknow;but--"shelookedathimagainyetmorewistfully,still

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holdinghimbythehandwhichhadlastpassedoverthemutualjoint-stockcandy-stick;"don'tyouthinkyoucoulddotheother--justonce?"

"Whatother?"grumbledHughJohn,sulking.HefeltthatCissywastakinganunfairadvantage.

"Oh,_you_know,"saidCissy,"whatIdidtoyoualittlewhileago."

"'Twasn'ttobetillafter,"urgedourhero,halfrelenting.Likeawoman,Cissywasquicktoseeheradvantage.

"Justalittleonetobegoingonwith?"shepleaded.

HughJohnsighed.Girlswereincomprehensible.Prissylikedchurchandbeingwashed.Cissy,ofwhomhehadmorehopes,likedkissing.

"Well,"hesaid,"goodnessknowswhyyoulikeit.I'msureIdon'tandnevershall.But--"

Herantothecornerandlookedroundintothestable-yard.AllwasquietalongthePotomac.Hewalkedmoresternlytotheothercorner,andglancedintotheorchard.Peacereignedamongtheapple-trees.Hecameslowlyanddejectedlyback.Intheinmostcorneroftheangleof

thestable,andbehindthethickestoftheivybush,hestraightenedhimselfupandcompressedhislips,ashehaddonewhentheSmoutchiesweretyinghimupbythethumbs.HefelthoweverthattobeatNipperDonnanhewasreadytoundergoanything--eventhis.Nosacrificewastoogreat.

"Allright,"hesaid."Comeon,Cissy,andgetitover--onlydon'tbetoolong."

Cissywasthirteen,andtallforherage,butthoughfullyayearyounger,HughJohnwastallalso,sothatwhenshecamejoyouslyforwardandputherhandsonhisshoulders,theireyeswereexactlyonalevel.

"Youneedn'tgoshuttingyoureyesandholdingyourbreath,asifitweremedicine.'Tisn'tsoveryhorrid,"saidCissy,withherhandsstillonhisshoulder.

"Goon!"saidHughJohninamuffledvoice,nervinghimselfforthecomingcrisis.

Cissy'slipsjusttouchedhis,restedamoment,andweregone.

HughJohnletouthisbreathwithasighofrelieflikeanexplosion;thenhesteppedback,andpromptlywipedofflove'sgagewiththesleeveofhiscoat.

"Holdon,"criedCissy;"thatisn'tfair.Youknowitain't!"

HughJohnknewitandsubmitted.

Cissysweptthetumbledhairfromabouthereyes.Shehadaveryredspotoneithercheek;butshehadmadeuphermind,andwasgoingthroughwithitproperlynow.

[Illustration:"'WASN'TITSPLENDID?'"]

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"Oh,Idon'tmind,"shesaid;"Icaneasilydoitoveragain--forkeepsthistime,mind!"

Thenshekissedhimonce,twice,andthreetimes.ItwasnicerthankissingJanetSheepshanks,hethought;andasforPrissy--well,thatwasdifferenttoo.

Alittlehammerthumpedinhisheart,andmadeitgo"jumpetty-jump,"asifitwerelame,oroutofbreath,orhadonelegshorterthantheother.AfterallCisswasthenicestgirltherewas,ifshedidbehavestupidlyandtiresomelyaboutthis."Justonce?"Hewoulddoitafterall.Itwasn'tmuchtodo--togiveCissysuchatreat.

Soheputhisarmsaboutherneckunderneathhercurls,pulledhercloseuptohim,andkissedher.Itfeltfunny,butrathernice.Hedidnotrememberdoingthattoanyonesincehewasalittleboy,andhismotherusedtocomeandsay"Good-night"tohim.ThenheopenedhisarmsandpushedCissyaway.Theywalkedoutthroughtheorchardyardsapart,asiftheyhadjustbeenintroduced.Cissy'seyeswerefullofthehappinessoflove'sachievement.AsforHughJohn,hewascrimsontotheneckandfeltinfinitelydegradedinhisownestimation.

Theycametotheorchardwall,wheretherewasastilewhichledinthedirectionofOaklands.Cissyranuptherudesteps,butpausedonthetopinsteadofgoingover.HughJohnwaslookingtheotherway.Somehow,dowhathewould,hiseyescouldnotbebroughttomeethers.

"Areyounotcoming?"shesaidcoaxingly.

"No,"heanswered,grufflyenough;"to-morrowwilldoforBilly."

"Good-night,"shesaidsoftly.Hervoicewasalmostawhisper.

HughJohngruntedinarticulately.

"Lookhere!"shesaid,bendingdowntillhereyeswereonalevelwithhischin.Hecouldnothelpglancinguponce.Therewasamischievoussmileinthem.IthadneverstruckhimbeforethatCissywasverypretty.Butsomehownowhewasgladthatshewas.Prissywasnice-lookingtoo--but,oh!quietdifferent.HecontinuedtolookatCissyCarterstandingwiththestilebetweenthem.

"Wasn'titsplendid!"shesaid,stillkeepinghershiningeyesonhis.

"Oh,middling,"saidHughJohn,andturningonhisheelhewentintothestablewithoutevensaying"Good-bye."Cissywatchedhimwithahappysmileonherface.Lovewasherfetish--herSamboSoulis--and

shehadworshippedlonginsecret.Tillnowshehadletthewormconcealmentpreyuponhercheek.True,ithadnotasyetaffectedherappetitenorkeptheramomentawake.

Butnowallwasdifferent.Herheartsang,andthestrangestthingwasthatallthelandscape,thefieldsandwoods,andeverythingseemedtobesomehowpaintedinbrightercolours.Infact,theylookedjustastheydowhenyoubenddownandlookatthemthroughbetweenyourlegs.Youknowtheway.

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CHAPTERXXVI.

ANIMPERIALBIRTHDAY.

ThenextdaywasGeneralNapoleonSmith'sbirthday.Outwardlyitlookedmuchlikeotherdays.Therewerenot,asthereoughttohavebeen,great,goldenimperialcapitalN'salloverthesky.Natureindeedwasmorethanusuallycalm;but,tostrikeabalance,therewasexcitementenoughandtospareinandaboutthehouseofWindyStandard.Veryearly,whenitwasnotyetproperlylight,butonlysortofmistywhitealongthewetgrassandstreakycombed-outgreyupaboveinthesky,PrissywakedSirToadyLion,whopromptlyrolledovertothebackofhiscot,andstuckhisfunnyheadrightdownbetweenthewallandtheedgeofthewiremattress,sothatonlyhislegsandsquaresturdybackcouldbeseen.

ToadyLionalwayspreferredtosleepinthemostcuriouspositions.Inwinterheusuallyturnedrightroundinbedtillhisheadwasfarunderthebed-clothes,andhisfat,twinkly,pinktoesreposedpeacefullyonthepillow.NothingevermatteredtoToadyLion.He

couldbreathethroughhisfeetjustaswellasthroughhismouth,and(aswehaveseen)muchbetterthanthroughhisnose.Theattentionofprofessorsofphysiologyiscalledtothisfact,whichcanbeestablishedupontheamplestevidenceandthemostunimpeachabletestimony.Insummerhegenerallyrolledoutofbedduringthefirsthalfhour,andsleptcomfortablyalltherestofthenightonthefloor.

"Getup,ToadyLion,"saidhissistersoftly,soasnottowakenHughJohn;"itisthebirthday."

"Owdon'care!"grumbledToadyLion,turningoverandoverthreeorfourtimesveryfasttillhehadallthebed-clotheswrappedabouthim

likeacocoon;"don'carewatitis.I'segoin'tosleepsomemore.Don'tgo'prog'melikethat!"

"Come,"saidPrissygently,totempthim;"wearegoingtogiveHughJohnasurprise,andsingalovelyhymnathisdoor.YoucanhavemyivoryPrayer-book----"

"Forkeeps?"askedToadyLion,openinghiseyeswithhisfirstgleamofinterest.

"Oh,no,youknowthatwasmother's,andfathergaveittometotakecareof.Butyoushallhaveittoholdinyourhandwhilewearesinging."

"Well,then,canIhavethepictureoftheanzelMichaelcastin'outthebaddy-baddyanzelsandhittin'theBadBlackManO-such-a-whackonthehead?"

Prissyconsidered.Theprintwasparticularlydeartoherheart,andshehadspentahappywetSaturdaycolouringit.Butshedidwanttomakethebirthdayhymnasuccess,andToadyLionhadundeniablyafinevoicewhenhelikedtouseit--whichwasnotoften.

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"Allright,"shesaid,"youcanhavemy'MichaelandtheBadAngels,'butyouarenottospoilit."

"Shan'tplaythen,"grumbledToadyLion,whoknewwellthestrengthofhisposition,andwasastroublesomeasa_primadonna_whensheknowshermanagercannotdowithouther--"shan'tsing,notunless'MichaelandtheBadAngels'isminetospoilifIlike."

"Butyouwon't--willyou,dearToadyLion?"pleadedPrissy."You'llkeepitsoniceandcareful,andthennextSaturday,whenIhavemyweek'smoneyandyouarepoor,I'llbuyitoffyouagain."

"Shan'tpromise,"saidtheObstinateBrat--asJanet,happilyinspired,hadoncecalledhimafterbeingworstedinanargument,"p'rhapsyes,andp'rhapsno."

"Comeonthen,ToadyLion,"whisperedPrissy,givinghimahandanddecidingtotrusttoluckforthepreservationofherpreciousprint.ToadyLionwasoftenmuchbetterthanhisword,andsheknewfromexperiencethatbySaturdayhisfinancialembarrassmentswouldcertainlybesuchthatnoreasonableofferwaslikelytoberefused.

ToadyLionrose,andtakinghissister'shandtheywentintoherroom,carefullyshuttingthedoorafterthem.HerePrissyproceededto

equipToadyLioninoneofherown"nighties,"verymuchagainstthatchorister'swill.

"Yousee,pinkflannelpyjamsarenotpropertosinginchurchin,"shewhispered:"now--youmustholdyourhymn-bookso,andlookupattheroofwhenyousing--likethe'ChildSamuel'onthenurserywall."

"Mineeyesdon'tgogglelikehis,"saidToadyLion,whofeltthatNaturehadnotdesignedhimforthepart,andwhowassleepyandcrossanyway.Birthdayswerenogood--excepthisown.

IthappenedthatJanetSheepshankswasgoingdownstairsearlytosetthemaidstotheirmorningwork,andthisiswhatshesaw.Atthe

closeddoorofHughJohn'schamberstoodtwoquaintlittlefigures,cladinlawnywhite,onetallandslim,theothershortandchubbyasapaintedcherubonaceiling.Theyhadeachwhitehymn-booksreverentlyplacedbetweentheirhands.Theireyeswereraisedheavenwardsandtheirlipswereredandpartedwithexcitement.

ThesternScotswomanfeltsomethingsuddenlystrikeherheart.

"Eh,sir,"shesaid,tellingthetaleafterwards,"thelassiePriscillawassaelikehermither,mypuirbairnthatisnoosingingpsalmswi'theangelso'God,thatIdeclare,myverraheartstoodstill,forIthochtthatshehadcomebackforyino'thebairns.And,oh!Icouldnapairtwi'onyo'themnoo.Itwadfairlybreakmyheart.

Andtherethetwayoungthingsstoodatthedoor,butwhentheybegantosing,IdeclareIjuistslippitawa'doontotheclosetandgratonthetapo'acasko'paraffeen!"

AndthisiswhatJanetSheepshanksheardthemsing.Itwasnotperhapsveryappropriate,butitwasoneoftheonlytwohymnsofwhichToadyLionknewthewords;andIthinkevenMr.CharlesWesley,whowroteit,wouldnothaveobjectedifhehadseentheangelicdevotiononPrissy'sfaceorthefraudulentcherubinnocenceshiningfromthatofSirToadyLion.

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"Now,mind,youreyesonthecrackofthedoorabove,"whisperedPrissy;"andwhenIcountthreeundermybreath--singoutforyourverylife."

ToadyLionnodded.

"One--two--three!"countedPrissy.

"_Hark!theheraldangelssing,Glorytothenew-bornKing,Peaceonearthandmercymild,Godandsinnersreconciled._"

"Whatis'weconciled'?"askedToadyLion,whomustalwaysasksomethingonprinciple.

"Oh,nevermindnow,"whisperedPrissyhastily;"keepyoureyesonthetopcrackofthedoorandopenyourmouthwide."

"Don'tknownomore!"saidToadyLionobstinately.

"Ohyes,youdo,"saidPrissy,almostintears;"goon.Sing_La-La_,ifyoudon't,andwe'llsoonbeatthechorus,andyouknowthat

anyway!"

ThenthevoiceofPrissyescaped,soaringaloftintheearlygloom,andifanyhumanmusiccan,reachingtheSeventhSphereitself,where,amidtheharmoniesoftheuniverse,theEternalEarhearkensforthenoteofsinfulhumanpraise.

ThesweetshrillpipeofToadyLionaccompaniedherlikeaheavenlyluteofinfinitesweetness.ItwasatthispointthatJanetmadeoffinthedirectionoftheparaffinbarrel.

"_Joyfulallyenationsrise,Jointhetriumphoftheskies:

Universalnature,say,'ChristtheLordisrisento-day!'_"

Thedooropened,andtheheadofHughJohnappeared,hishairallonendandhispyjamajacketopenattheneck.Hewashitchinguptheotherdivisionofthesuitwithonehand.

"'Tain'tChristmas,what'sthehorridrow?Shutit!"growledhesleepily.Prissymadehimtheimpatientsignofsilencesowellunderstoodofchildren,andwhichmeansthattheproceedingsarenottobeinterrupted.

"Yourbirthday,silly!"shesaid;"chorusnow!"AndHughJohnhimself,

whoknewthevalueofdiscipline,linedupandopenedhismouthintheloudrejoicingrefrain:--

"_Hark!theheraldangelssing,GlorytothenewbornKing!_"

Aslightnoisebehindmadethemturnround,andtherethechildrenbeheldwithindignationthewholebodyoftheservantsgroupedtogetheronthelanding,mostofthemwiththeirhandkerchiefstotheireyes;whileJaneHousemaidwhohadnone,wassobbing

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undisguisedlywiththetearsrollingdownhercheeks,andvainlyendeavouringtoexpressheropinionthat"itwasjustbeautiful--theywasforalltheworldlikelittleangelsa-praisin'God,and--_a-hoo!_ Ican'thelpit,nomoreIcan't!Andtheirmothernevertoseethemgrowedup--herbein'inhergrave,theblessedlamb!"

"_I_don'tseenuffintokyefor,"saidToadyLionunsympathetically,tryingtofindpocketsinPrissy'snight-gown;"itwasanicesing-song!"

AtthismomentJanetSheepshankscameonthescene.Shehadbeencryingmorethananybody,butyouwouldneverhaveguessedit.Andnow,perhapsashamedofherownemotion,shepretendedgreatscandalandindignationattheunseemlyandirregularspectacle,anddrovetheservantsbelowtotheirmorningtasks,beingspeciallyseverewithJaneHousemaid,who,forsomeoccultreason,founditasdifficulttostopcryingasithadbeeneasytobegin--sothat,asHughJohnsaid,"itwasasgoodasawatering-can,andusefultoo,foritlaidthedustonJane'scarpetsreadyforsweeping,eversomuchbetterthantea-leaves."

CHAPTERXXVII.

THEBANTAMCHICKENS.

WhenHughJohnmetCissyCarterthefirsttimeaftertheincidentofthestile,itwasinthepresenceoftheyounglady'sfatherandmother.Cissysmiledandshookhandswiththemostsereneandchillingdignity;butHughJohnblushed,andworeonhiscountenanceanexpressionofsuchdeepandingrainedguiltandconfusion,that,uponcatchingsightofhim,Mr.DavenantCartercalledout,inhisjollystand-before-the-fire-with-his-hands-in-his-pockets'manner,"Hillo,boy!whathaveyoubeenupto--stealingapples,eh?Come!Whatisit?

Outwithit!"

Which,whenyouthinkofit,wasnotexactlyfittedtomakeourheroanymoreself-possessed.Mr.DavenantCarteralwaysconsideredchildrenasarathersuperiorkindofpuppydogs,whichwerespeciallycreatedtobecondescendedtoandteased,inordertoseewhattheywouldsayanddo.Theymightalsobetaughttricks--likemonkeysandparrots,onlynotsoclever.

"Oh,Davenant,"saidhiswife,"dolettheboyalone.Don'tyouseeheisbashfulbeforesomanypeople?"

Nowthiswasthelastthingwhichordinarilycouldbelaidwith

justicetothechargeofourhero;yetnowheonlymumbledandavoidedeverybody'seye,particularlyCissy's.Butapparentlythatyoungladyhadforgottenallabouttheivybushatthebackofthestable,forshesaidquiteloudout,sothatalltheroomcouldhearher,"WhatalongtimeitissincewesawyouatOaklands,HughJohn--isn'tit?"ThissallyaddedstillmoretoHughJohn'sconfusion,andhecouldonlyfallbackuponhisfavouriteaxiom(whichhewastoprovethetruthofeverydayofhislifeashegrewolder),that"girlsarefunnythings."

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PresentlyCissysaid,"HaveyouseenSammy,mother;Iwonderifhehasfallenintothemill-dam.Hewentovertheremorethananhouragotosailhisnewboat."MildMrs.Carterstartedupsoviolentlythatsheupsetallhersewingcottonandspoolsonthefloor,tothedelightofherwickedlittlepug,whichinstantlybeganpullingthemabout,shakingthem,growlingatthem,andpretendingtheywereratsthathadbeengivenhimtoworry.

"Oh,doyouthinkso?--RunCissy,runHugh,andfindhim!"WhereatCissyandHughJohnremovedthemselves.Assoonastheywereoutsideourherofoundhistongue.

"Howcouldyoutellsuchawhopper?Ofcoursehewouldnotfallintothewaterlikeababy!"

"Goos-eegander,"saidCissybriskly;"ofcoursenot!Iknewthatverywell.ButifIhadnotsaidsomethingweshouldhavehadtostaytheremopingamongallthoseGrown-Ups,anddoingnothingbuttalkingproperforhoursandhours."

"ButIthoughtyoulikedit,Cissy,"saidHughJohn,whodidnotknoweverything.

"Likeit!"echoedCissy;"I'vegotto_do_it.AndiftheydreamedI

didn'tlikeit,they'dthinkIhadn'tpropermanners,andmakemestopjusttwiceaslong.Motherwantsmetoacquireagoodsocietysomething-or-other,sothat'swhyI'vetostopandmaketea,andpretendtoliketotalktoMr.Burnham."

"Oh--him,"saidHughJohn;"heisn'thalfbad.Andhe'sarippinggoodwicket-keep!"

"Idaresay,"retortedCissy,"that'sallverywellforyou.HetalkstoyouaboutcricketandW.G.'sscores--I'veheardhim.Buthespeakstomeinthatpeekyfar-awayvoicefromthebackofhisthroat,likehedoesintheservicewhenhecomestothebitabout'youngchildren'--andwhatdoyouthinkthe_Creature_says?"

"Idunno,"saidHughJohn,withaworld-wearyair,asiftheeccentricitiesofclergymeninsilkwaistcoatswereamongthethingsthatnofellowcouldpossiblyfindout.

"Well,hesaidthathehopedthetimewouldsooncomewhenayoungladyofsomuchdecisionofcharacter(that'sme!)wouldbeabletoassisthiminhisdistrictvisiting."

"What's'decisionofcharacter'whenhe'sathome?"askedHughJohnflippantly.

"Oh,nothing--onlyoneofthethingsparsonssay.Itdoesn'tmean

anything--notinparticular!"repliedthewidelyinformedCissy."Butdidyoueverhearsuchrot?"

Andforthefirsttimehereyesmethiswithaquaintlyquestioninglook,whichsomehowcarriedinitareminiscenceofthestileandtheivybush.Cissy'seyeswereneverquite(HughJohnhasadmittedasmuchtomeinamomentofconfidence)--neverquitethesameaftertheincidentoftheorchard.OnthisoccasionHughJohninstantlyavertedhisown,andlookedstolidlyattheground.

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"PerhapsMr.Burnhamhasheardthatyouwentwithmedicineandstufftothegipsycamp,"hesaidafterapause,tryingtofindanexplanationoftheapparentlyindefensiblefollyofhiscricketinghero.Cissyhadnotthoughtofthisbefore.

"Well,perhapshehad,"shesaid,"butthatwasquitedifferent."

"Howdifferent?"queriedHughJohn.

"Well,thatwasonlydogsandBillyBlythe,"saidCissy,somewhatshamefacedly;"thatdoesn'tcount,andbesidesIlikeit.Doinggoodhasgottobesomethingyoudon'tlike--teachinglittlebratstheirdutytotheirgodfathersandgodmothers,ordistributingtractswhichonlymakepeoplestampandswearandcarryon."

"Isn'ttheresomethingsomewhereabouthelpingthefatherlessandthewidow?"falteredHughJohn.Hehated"talkinggood,"butsomehowhefeltthatCissywasdoingherselflessthanjustice.

"Well,Idon'tsupposethatthefox-terrier'spadoesmuchforhim,"shesaidgaily;"butcomealongandI'll'interjuce'youtoyourallyBillyBlythe."

Sotheywalkedalongtowardsthecampinsilence.Itwasastill,

Sunday-likeevening,andthebellofEdamtownsteeplewastollingforthesixo'clockstayofwork,asithaddoneeverynightatthesamehourforoverfivehundredyears.Thereekoftheburgesses'supper-fireswasgoingupinahundredpillar-like"pews"oftallbluesmoke.Homewardboundhumblebeesbumbledandblunderedalong,drunkanddrowsywiththeheadynectartheyhadtakenonboard--strayedrevellersfromthesummer-day'sFeastofFlowers.Delicatelittlebluebutterfliesroseflurriedlyfromtheshortgrass,flirtedwitheachotherawhile,andthenmountedintoayetbluerskyinairywheelsandirresponsiblebalancings.

"Thisismybirthday!"suddenlyburstoutHughJohn.

Cissystoppedshortandcaughtherbreath.

"Ohno--itcan'tbe;"shesaid,"Ithoughtitwasnextweek,andtheyaren'tnearlyready."

WhereatCissyCartarbeganmostincontinentlyandunexpectedlytocry.HughJohnhadneverseenherdothisbefore,thoughhewasfamiliarenoughwithPrissy'smoreeasytears.

"Nowdon'tyou,Ciss,"hesaid;"Idon'twantanything--presentsandthings,Imean.Justlet'sbejolly."

"Hu-uh-uh!"sobbedCissy;"andJanetSheepshankstoldmeitwasnext

week.I'msureshedid;andIsetthemsonicelytobereadyintime--morethantwomonthsago,andnowtheyaren'treadyafterall."

"Whataren'tready?"saidHughJohn.

"Thebantamchickens,"sobbedCissy;"andtheyarelovelyaslovely.Andpeck--youshouldjustseethempeck."

"I'djustassoonhavethemnextweek,orthenextafterthat--ratherindeed.Shutupnow,Ciss.Stopcrying,Itellyou.Doyouhear?"He

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wasinstinctivelyadoptingthatgruffmasculinesternnesswhichmenconsidertobeonthewholethemostgenerallyeffectivemethodofdealingwiththeincomprehensibletearsoftheirwomen-kind."_I_ don'tcareifyoucrypints,butI'llhityouifyouwon'tstop!Sothere!"

Cissystoppedlikemagic,andassumedadistantandhaughtyexpressionwithhernoseintheair,thesurprisingdignityofwhichwasmarredonlybytherecurringspasmodicsniffnecessarytokeepbackthemoisturewhichwasstillinclinedtoleakfromthecornersofhereyes.

"Iwouldindeed,"saidHughJohn,likeallgoodmenquicklyremorsefulafterseverityhadachieveditsend."I'deversomuchratherhavethenicestpresentsaweekafter;foronaregularbirthdayyougetsomanythings.Butbynextweek,whenyou'vegottiredofthemall,anddon'thaveanythingnew--that'sthepropertimetogetapresent."

"Oh,you_are_nice,"saidCissyimpulsively,comingovertoHughJohnandclaspinghisarmwithbothherhands.Hedidnotencouragethis,forhedidnotknowwhereitmightend,andtheopenmoorwasnotbyanymeanstheivy-growncornerofthestable.Cissywenton.

"Yes,youarethenicestthing.Onlydon'ttellanybody----"

"Iwon't!"saidHughJohn,withdeepestconviction.

"AndI'llgiveyouthemothertoo,"continuedCissy;"sheisaperfectdarling,andwonaprizeatthelastEdamshow.Itwasonlyasecond,buteverybodysaidthatsheoughtbyrightstohavehadthefirst.Yes,andshewouldhavegotittoo--onlythattheotheroldhenwasacousinofthejudge's.Thatwasn'tfair,wasit?"

"Certainlynot!"saidHughJohn,withinstantemphasis.

CHAPTERXXVIII.

THEGIPSYCAMP.

Atthispointapeculiarfragrancewasbornetothemuponthelightwind,thefar-blowingsmellofawood-fire,togetherwiththeodourofboilingandfragrantstew--acompoundanddeliciouswild-woodscent,whichalmostcreatedthetastebywhichitwastobeenjoyed,astheysayallgoodliteraturemust.Therewasalsoanothersmell,lessidyllicbutequallycharacteristic--theodourofdryingpaint.Allthesecamefromthecampofthegipsiessetuponthecornerofthe

commonlandsofWindyStandard.

Thegipsies'woodwasabarrenacreoftall,ill-nurturedScotchfirs,withnothingtobreaktheirsturdymonotonyoftrunkrightuptothespreadingcrownoftwistedredbranchesanddarkgreenspines.Beneath,theearthwascoveredwithacarpetofdryandbrownpine-needles,severalinchesthick,softandsilentunderthefeetasvelvetpile.DitcheswetanddryclosedintheplaceofsanctuaryforthewanderingtribesofEgyptonallsides,saveonlytowardsthehighroad,whereajoggly,much-ruttedcarttrackleddeviouslyinbetween

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highbanks,throughwhichtheprotrudingrootsoftheScotchfirs,knottedandscarred,wereseentwistingandgrapplingeachotherlikeanestofsnakes.Suddenly,betweentheridgesofpine-trees,thepaircameinsightofthecamp.

"Ideclare,"criedHughJohn,"theyarepaintingthewaggons.Iwishtheywouldletmehelp.Icanslickitonlikeadaisy.NowI'mtellingyou.AndrewPenmanatthecoach-worksinChurchStreetshowedmehow.HesaysIcan'line'aswellasanyworkmanintheplace.I'mgoingtobeacoach-painter.Theygetbullywages,Itellyou."

"Ithoughtyouweregoingtobeasoldier,"commentedCissy,withthecoolandinvitingcriticismofthemodeldomesticlady,whoisalwaysonhandwithabucketofcoldwaterfortheenthusiasmsofhermen-folk.

HughJohnremembered,sawhismistake,andshiftedhisgroundallinthetwinklingofaneye;forofcourseamanofspiritoughtnevertoownhimselfinthewrong--atleasttoagirl.Itisabadprecedent,occasionallyevenfatal.

"Ohyes,ofcourseIamgoingtobeasoldier,"hesaidwiththehesitationofonewhostopstothinkwhatheisgoingtosay;"butI'mtobeacoach-painterinmyoddtimeandonholidays.Besides,

officersgetsolittlepaynow-a-days,it'sshameful--Iheardmyfathersay.Soonemustdosomething."

"Oh,here'stheterrier--prettything,Ideclarehequiteknowsme--see,HughJohn,"criedCissy,kneelingwithdelightinhereye,andtakingholdofthelittledog,whichcameboundingforwardtomeether--stoppingmidway,however,topawatitsneck,towhichtheChiantiwicker-workstillclungtightlyroundtheedgeofthebandage.

BillyBlythecametowardsthem,touchinghiscapashedidsoinahalf-militarymanner;forhadhenotabrotherinthecountymilitia,whowasthebestfighter(withhisfists)intheregiment,thepestofhiscolonel,butinprivatetheparticularpetofalltheother

officers,whowerealwaysreadytoputtheirmoneyonGipsyBlythetoanyamount.

"Yes,miss,"hesaid;"Idoneit.He'sbettera'ready,andaslivelyasagreengrass-chirper.Neverseedthelikeo'thatointment.'Tisworthitsweightingoldwhenyehavedogs."

Atallgirlcameupatthismoment,duskyandlithe,herfaceandnecktannedtoafinehealthybrownalmostasdarkassaddle-leather,butwitharollingblackeyesofullandpiercingthatevenhercomplexionseemedlightbycomparison.Shecarriedabackloadoftinwareofallsorts,andbyherweariedairappearedtobereturningtotheencampmentafteraday'stramp.

"Ah,youngladyandgentleman,sureIcanseebyyoureyesthatyouaregoingtobuysomethingfromapoorgirl--ribbonsforthehair,orforthehousesomenicecollanders,saucepans,fish-pans,stew-pans,patty-pans,jelly-pans----"

[Illustration:"SHECARRIEDABACKLOADOFTINWARE."]

"Go'way,LeproniaLovell,"growledBilly;"don'tyouseethatthisistheyoungladythatcuredmydog?"

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"Andwhomaytheyounggentlemanbe?"saidthegirl."CertainIamI'veseenhimbeforesomewhereatthebacko'beyant."

"Belikeaye,Lepronia,thaartacleverwench,andhastgoteyesinthebacko'theeyead,"saidBilly,inatoneofirony."DoyounotknowthesonofMasterSmitho't'WindyStandard--himasletsusbideonhisland,whenalltheneighbourswereonfornothingelsebutturningusoffwithneverarestforthesolesofourfeet?"

"Andwhatishisname?"saidthegirl.

"Why,thesameashisfatherofcourse,lass--whatelse?"criedBilly;"youngMasterSmithaseverwas.DidyouthinkitwasBlythe?"

"'Faiththen,Godforbid!"saidLepronia,"yehavelashin'softhatnameinthempartsalready.SureitislonesomeforapoororphanlikemeamongsomanyBlythes;andgood-lookingyoungchapssomeo'themtoo,andneverawano'yemanenoughtoaskmetochangemyname,andgotochurchandbethransmogrifiedintoaBlytheliketherestofyez!"

Someofthegipsiesstandingroundlaughedattheboldnessofthegirl,andBillyreddened."I'mnotbywayoftakin'upwithnoPaddy,"

hesaid,andturnedonhisheel.

"Paddyisut,"criedthegirlindignantlyafterhim,"'faithnow,anditwadbetellin'yeifyecouldgetadaycentsinglewomanonlyhalfasgoodlookin'asme,totakeasmuchnoticeavthelikeso'yeastokickyeoutofherroad!"

Sheturnedaway,callingoverhershouldertoCissy,"CanItellyourfortune,prettylady?"

Quickasaflash,Cissy'sanswercameback.

"No,butIcantellyours!"

Thegirlstopped,surprisedthatamaidoftheGentilesshouldtellfortuneswithoutglassballs,cards,orevenlookingatthelinesofthehand.

"Tellitthen,"shesaiddefiantly.

"YouwilllivetomarryBilly!"shesaid.

ThenLeproniaLovelllaughedashortlaugh,andsaid,"Neverwhilethere'sadaycentscarecrowintheworldwillIsetupatent-stickalongwiththelikesofBillyBlythe!"

Butallthesameshewalkedawayverythoughtful,herbasketfuloftinwareclatteringatherback.

Afterthefox-terrierhadbeenexamined,commentedupon,anddulydressed,BillyBlythewalkedwiththempartofthewayhomeward,andHughJohnopenedouttohimhistroubles.Hetoldhimofthefeudagainstthetownboys,andrelatedallthemanifoldmisdeedsoftheSmoutchies.AllthewhileBillysaidnothing,butthetwitchingofhishandsandapeculiarlycovertlookabouthisduskyfacetoldthathewaslisteningintently.ScarcelyhadHughJohncometotheendofhis

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talewhen,withthebloodmountingdarklytohischeeks,Billyturnedabouttoseeifhewereobserved.Therewasnoonenear.

"WearetheladstohelpyetoturnoutNipperDonnanandallhiscrew,"hesaid."Himandhiswouldsoonmakeshortworkofusgipsiesiftheyhadtherightsofcastleandcommon.Why,Nipper'sfatheriswhattheycallabailieoftheirburghcourt,andhefinedmyfatherforleavinghishorsesoutontheroadside,whilehewentforadoctorwhenmymotherwastookillayearpastlastNovember."

HughJohnhadfoundhisally.

"There'sarounddozenandmoreofuslads,"continuedBilly,"that'udmakesmallpotatoesandmincemeatofeveryoneofthem,iftheywasallNipperDonnans--whichtheyain't,notbyalongsight.Iknowthem.Afigforthemandtheirflag!We'lltaketheircastle,andwe'lltakeittooinawaytheywon'tforgettilltheirdyingday."

ThegipsyladwassoearnestthatHughJohn,thoughasmuchaseverbentuponconqueringtheenemy,begantobealittlealarmed.

"Ofcourseit'spartpretending,"hesaid,"formyfathercouldputthemoutifweweretotellonthem.Butthenwewon'ttell,andwewantjusttodrivethemoutourselves,andthrashthemforstealing

ourpetlambaswell!"

"Right!"saidBilly,"don'tbeafraid;wewon'tdomorethanjustgivethemablazinggoodhiding.Tell'eewhat,they'llbemainsorefromtoptotoebeforewegetthroughwith'em!"

CHAPTERXXIX.

TOADYLION'SLITTLEWAYS.

Thusitwasfinallyarranged.ThecastlewastobeattackedbythecombinedforcesofWindyStandardandthegipsycampthefollowingSaturdayafternoon,whichwouldgivethemtheenemyintheirfullestnumbers.Noticewouldbesent,sothattheycouldnotsayafterwardsthattheyhadbeentakenbysurprise.GeneralNapoleonSmithwastowritetheletterhimself,buttosaynothinginitabouthisnewallies.That,asCissyputit,"wouldbeasgoodasasixpennysurprise-packettothem."

SofullwasHughJohnofhisnewplanandthehope,nowalmostthecertainty,ofsuccess,thatwhenhewenthomehecouldnothelpconfidinginPrissy--who,likeamodelhousewife,wasseatedmending

herdoll'sstockings,whileJanetSheepshanksattendedtothoseoftheeldermembersofthehousehold.

Shelistenedwithquick-comingbreathandrisingcolour,tillHughJohnthoughtthathisownmilitaryenthusiasmhadkindledhers.

"Isn'titprime?--we'llbeatthemtilltheycan'tspeak,"saidHughJohntriumphantly."They'llnevercomebacktoourcastleagainafterwefinishwiththem."

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ButPriscillawassilent,anddeepdejectiongnaweddullyatherheart.

"Poorthings,"shesaidthoughtfully;"perhapstheyneverhadfatherstoteachthem,norgodfathersandgodmotherstoseethattheylearnedtheirCatechism."

"Preciouslotmineeverdidforme--onlyoneoldsilvermug!"snortedHughJohn.

JustthenToadyLioncamein.

"Oh,HughJohn,"hepanted,intremuloushastetotellsomefelltidings,"Isosorry--I'sebrokedoneofthecannons,andit'syourcannonwhatI'sebroked."

"Whatwereyoudoingwithmycannon?"inquiredhisbrotherseverely.

"Iwasjussplayin'wifitsoastosavemycannons,andagreatbidstonefellfromthewallandbrokeditalltobits.Ibeg'oopardon,HughJohn!"

"Allright!"saidHughJohncheerfully;"youcangivemeoneofyoursforit."

ToadyLionstoodawhilesilent,withapuzzledexpressiononhisface.

"That'snotright,HughJohn,"hesaidseriously;"IsaidedthatIwassorry,andIbegged'oopardon.Fathersaysthen'oomustfordivme!"

"Oh,I'llforgiveyourightenough,"saidHughJohn,"afterIgetthecannon.It'sallthesametomewhichcannonIhave."

"But_your_cannonisbroked--alltolittlebits!"saidToadyLion,tryingtoimpressthefactonhisbrother'smemory.

"Well,anothercannon,"saidHughJohn--"Iain'tparticular."

"Buttheothercannonsisallmine,"explainedToadyLion,whohasstrongideasastotherightsofproperty.

"Nomatter--oneofthemisminenow!"saidhisbrother,snatchingoneoutofhisarms.

ToadyLionbegantocrywithawhiningwhimperthatcarriedfar,andwithwhichinhistimehehadachievedgreatthings.

ItreachedtheearofJanetSheepshanks,busyatherstocking-mending,asToadyLionintendeditshould.

"Ideclare,"shecried,"canyounotgivethepoorlittleboywhathewants?Agreatfellowlikeyoupesteringandteasingachildlikethat.Thinkshameofyourself!Whatisthematter,ArthurGeorge?"

"HughJohntookedmycannon!"whimperedthatyoungMachiavel.

"Haven'tgotyourcannon,littlesneak!"saidHughJohnunderhisbreath.

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"Won'tgivemebackmycannon!"wailedToadyLionstilllouder,hearingJanetbeginningtomove,andknowingwellthatifheonlykeptitupshewouldcomeout,and,onprinciple,instantlytakehispart.Janetneverinquired.Shehadatheorythattheelderchildrenwerealwaysteasingandoppressingtheyounger,andsheacteduponit--actedpromptlytoo.

"Iwants--"beganToadyLioninhishighestkey.

"Oh,takethecannon,sneak!"saidHughJohnfiercely,"chucking"hislastremainingpieceofartilleryatToadyLion,forJanetwasalmostinthedoorwaynow.

ToadyLionburstintoahowl.

"Oo-oo-ooooh!"hecried;"HughJohnhittedmeontheheadwifmycannon----"

"Oh,youbadboy,waittillIcatchyou,HughPictonSmith,"criedJanetSheepshanks,astheboyretreatedprecipitatelythroughtheopenFrenchwindow,--"youdon'tgetanysupperto-night,rascalthatyouare,neverlettingthatpoorinnocentlambaloneforoneminute."

InthesafetyofthegardenwalkHughJohnshookhisfistatthe

window.

"Oh,golly,"hesaidaloud;"justwaittillToadyLiongrowsupabit.Byhokey,won'tItakethisoutofhimwithawicket?Ohno--notatall!"

NowToadyLionwasnotusuallyaselfishlittleboy;butthisdayithappenedthathewascrossandhot,alsohehadatoothwhichwasbotheringhim.Andmostofallhewantedhisownway,andhadaverygoodideahowtogetittoo.

Thatsamenight,whenHughJohnwaswanderingdisconsolatelywithoutatthehourofsupper,wonderingwhetherJanetSheepshanksmeantto

keepherword,asmallstoutfigurecamewaddlingtowardshim.ItwasToadyLionwiththecoverofasilver-platedfish-serverinhishand.Itwasnearlyfullofamiscellaneousmess,suchaschildren(andallhungrypersons)love--halfafriedsolewasthere,threelargemealypotatoes,greenpeas,andawholeboiledturnip.

"Please,HughJohn,"saidToadyLion,"I'sewellysollyIbrokedyourcannon.Ibringedyouminesupper.Will'ooforgiveme?"

"Allright,oldchap,"saidthegenerousheroofbattlesinstantly,"that'sallright!Let'shaveajollyfeed!"

Soonthegardenseattheysatdownwiththefish-coverpropped

betweenthem,andatetheirsuppersfraternallyandhappilyoutofonedish,usingtheoldestimplementsinventedforthepurposebythehumanrace.

CHAPTERXXX.

SAINTPRISSY,PEACEMAKER.

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Thisistheletterwhich,accordingtohispromise,GeneralNapoleonSmithdespatchedtotheaccreditedleaderoftheSmoutchyboys--or,astheydelightedtocallthemselves,theComancheCowboys.

WINDYSTANDARDHOUSE,BORDERSHIRE.

_Mistr.Nippr.Donnan,Esqr.,_

_DEARSIR,--ThisistowarnyouthatonSaturdaythe18th,betweenthehoursofteninthemorningandsixintheevening,we,therightfulownersoftheCastleofWindyStandard,willtakepossessionofourproppaty.Preventusatyourperil.Youhadbettergetout,forwe'recoming,andourmottyis'Smithforever,andNoQuarter!'_

_Givenunderourhandandseal._

(_Signed_)_NAPOLEONSMITH_,

_General-Feeld-Marshall-Commanding._

_P.S.--I'llteachyoutokickmylegswithtackettybutesand

putmeinnastydunguns.WaittillIcatchyou,NipperDonnan._

Thereplycamebackonapieceofwrappingpaperfromthebutcher'sshop,renderedwarlikebyundeniablestainsofgore.Ithad,toallappearance,beenwrittenwithaskewer,andcontrastedillwiththeblueofficialpaperpurloinedoutofMr.PictonSmith'soffice,onwhichthechallengehadbeensent.Itranthus:----

_MatthewDonnan&Co.,ButchersandCattleSalesmen,21HighStreet,Edam,Bordershire._

_DEARSIR.--Yoursofthe13threceived,andcontentsnoted.Comeon,youstuck-upretches.Wecanfightyouanydaywithouronehandtiedbehindus.Betterleavegirlsandchilderathome,forwemeenfightin'thistime--andnoerror.--We'llnockyouintoeternalsmash._

_Hopingtobefavouredwithacontinuanceofyouresteemedorders,--Ihavethehonourtoremain,Sir,yourobedientservanttocommand,_

_N.DONNAN._

Thehighcontractingpartieshavingthusagreedupontermsofmutual

animosity,toallappearancethereremainedonlythearbitramentofbattle.

ButotherthoughtswereworkinginthetenderheartofPrissySmith.Shehadnosympathywithbloodshed,andhadshebeeninherfather'splaceshewouldatoncehavegiventhetownalltheirdesiresatanyprice,inorderthatthepeacemightbekept.Deeplyandsincerelyshebewailedthespiritofquarrellingandbloodshedwhichwasabroad.Shehadherownintentionsastotheenemy,HughJohnhadhis--whichhehadsosuccinctlysummedupinthe"favourofthe13th,"acknowledged

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withsuchbusinesslikeprecisionbyMr.NipperDonnaninhisreplytoGeneralNapoleon'sblueofficialcartel.

Withouttakinganyoneintoherconfidence(notevenSammyCarter,whomighthavelaughedather),PriscillaSmithresolvedtosetoutonamissionofreconciliationtotheComancheCowboys.Longanddeeplyshepreparedherselfbyself-imposedpenancesfortheworkthatwasbeforeher.Shewas,sheknew,noJoanofArctoleadanarmyinbattlearrayagainstacruelandtauntingenemy.ShewastobeaSt.CatherineofSienarather,settingoutaloneandunfriendedonapilgrimageofmercy.Shehadreadallshecouldlayherhandsonaboutthetanner'sdaughter,andapictureofthegreatbarn-likebrickchurchofSanDominicowhereshehadhervisions,hungoverthewash-standinPrissy'slittleroom,andtoherpiouseyesmadetheplaindealtableseemthenextthingtoanaltar.

Prissywantedtogoandhavevisionstoo;andso,threetimesadayshewentinpilgrimagetothetool-housewherethepotatoeswerestored,asbeingthenextbestthingtotheunattainableSanDominico.Thiswasaroomyplacemorethanhalfunderground,andhadavaultedroofwhichwassupportedbypillars--theremains,doubtless,ofsomemuchmoreancientstructure.

HerePrissywaited,liketheScholarGipsy,forthelightfromheaven

tofall;but,alas,thelightrefusedtocometotime.Well,then,shemustjustgoonwithoutitasmanyanothereagersoulhaddonebeforeher.Thereonlyremainedtomakethefinalpreparations.

OnthemorrowthereforeshewaitedcarefullyafterearlydinnertillGeneralSmithandToadyLionhadgoneoffinthedirectionofthemill-dam.ThenshetookoutthelittlebasketwhichshehadconcealedinthecryptofSanDominico--thatistosayinthepotatohouse.Itstoodreadypackedandcoveredwithawhitelinencloth.

Itwasabasketwhichhadbeenprepareduponthestrictestmissionarymodels.Shehadnoprintedauthoritieswhichwentthelengthoftellingherwhatprovisionfortheway,whatbribesandpresentsSaint

Catherinecarriedforthtoappeasewithaltheenemiesofhercityandcountry.Buttherewasonrecordtheexactprovisionofthemission-chestofawoman,whoinhertimewentforthtoturntogentlenesstheangryheartsofbrigandsandrobbers--oneAbigail,thewifeofacertainchurlofMaon,avillageneartotherootsofMountCarmel.

True,Prissycouldnotquitemakeupthetaleofherpresentsonthesamegenerousandwholesalescale.Shehadtopreachaccordingtoherstipend,liketheGlasgowwifeofthelegend,who,uponthedoctororderingherhusbandchampagneandoysters,informedafriendthat"poorfolklikeuscouldnajuistgieTammaschampeen-an'-ighsters,butwedidthenextbestthing--wegiedhimwhelks-an'-ginger-beer."

Sosinceitmighthaveattractedsomeattention,evenonpasturessowellstockedasthoseofMr.PictonSmithofWindyStandard,ifPrissyhadtakenwithher"fivesheepreadydressed,"shehadtobecontentwithhalfofasheep's-head-pie,whichshehadbegged"togiveaway"fromJanetSheepshanks.TothissheaddedafourpoundloafshehadboughtinEdamwithherownmoney(Abigail'stwohundredbeingdistinctlyoutofherreach)--togetherwiththeregulationclusterofraisinsandcakeoffigswhichwerebothwellwithinhermeans.Inaddition,sincePrissywasastrictteetotaler,shetookwithhera

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littleapparatusformakingtea,somesugarandcreamfromthepantry,andherlargestandbestsetofdolls'cupsandsaucers.

Allthisoccupiedagooddealofroomandwasexceedinglyheavy,sothatPrissyhadveryoftentorestonthewaytowardsthecastle.Shemighthavefailedaltogether,butthatshesawMikerakingthegravelofthepathneartheedgeofthewater,andaskedhimtocarrythebasketforheroverthestepping-stones.

PrinceMichael,whoasheoftenremarkedwas"spoilingforanothertasteofDonnybrook,"conveyedthebasketoverEdamWaterforhisyoungmistress,withouttheleastideaofthestrangequestuponwhichthegirlwasgoing.

Helaiditdownandlookedatthelinencover.

"Faix,"hesaid,"sure'tisalongroadtosindayoungladywidaheavyloadlikethat!"

Now,thiswashismodeofinvitinganexplanation,butPrissywasfartoowisetoofferone.Shemerelythankedhimandwentonherwaytowardsthecastle.

"Don'tgonearthimruinstillafterSaturday,whenwewillclean

everydirtyspalpeenoutoftheplacelikethunderonthemountains,"criedMike,who,likesomeotherpeople,lovedtoroundoffhissentenceswithsoundingexpressionswithouttroublinghimselfmuchastowhethertheyfittedtheplaceornot.

"Thankyou!"criedPrissyoverhershoulder,withasweetandgrateful,butquiteuninformingsmile.

ShecontinuedonherwaytillMikewasoutofsight,withoutalteringhercoursefromthestraightroadtothewoodenbridgewhichledintothetownofEdam.ThenattheedgeofthehazelcopseshecameuponasmallfootpathwhichmeanderedthroughlushgrassmeadowsandpatchesofthegreaterwillowherbtotheCastleofWindyStandard.Thewillow

herbflourishedingloriousred-purplemassesontheancientmasonryoftheouterdefences,foritisaplantwhichlovesaboveallthingsthedisintegratinglimeofoldbuildingsfromwhichitscrownofblossomshootsupthreeorfour,oritmaybeevensixfeet.

Sheskirtedthemoat,greenwiththeleavesofpond-weedfloatinglikesmallveinedeggsonthesurface.Fromthesluggishwaterattheside,irisandbog-beanstoodnoblyup,andwhite-liliesfloatedonthestillsurfaceinlordlyprideamongthehumblerwrackandscumofduckweedandwaterbuttercup.Thelightchromeheadsof"Go-to-bed-John"flauntedonthedryerbankbeyond.

Prissyeyedallthesetreasureswithanxiousglances.

"Iwantjustdreadfullytogatheryou,"shesaid."Ihopeallthiswarringandbattlingwillbeoverbeforeyouhavedoneblooming,younicewatersidethings."

AndindeedIagreewithher,forthereisnothingmuchnicerintheworldthanwaysideandriversideflowers--exceptthelittlechildrenwhoplayamongthem;andnothingsweeterthanabairns'daisy-chain,savethefingerswhichweaveit,andtheneckaboutwhichithangs.

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Prissyhadarrivedwithinsightofthecastlenow.Shesawtheflauntingoftheredrepublicanflagwhichinstaggerycapitalscondemnedherparenttoinstantdissolution.Shestoodamomentwiththebasketonherarminfrontofthegreatruinedgate.Asentrywaspacingtoandfrothere.BobHetheringtonwashisname,andtherewereotherladsandboysloungingandpretendingtosmokeinthedeepembrasuresandrecessesofthewalls.Clearlythecastlewasoccupiedinforcebytheenemy.

Prissystoppedsomewhatembarrassed,andsetdownherbasketthatshemighthaveagoodlook,andthinkwhatshewastodonext.AsshedidsoshecaughttheeyeofNosieCuthbertson,ayouthwhomNipperDonnanpermittedinhiscorpsbecausehisfatherhadaterrierwhichwasundoubtedlythebestratterinEdam.Buttheprivilegeofassociationwithsuchadistinguisheddogwasdearattheprice,fornomeanernormore"ill-set"youththanNosieCuthbertsoncumberedhonestBordershiresoil.Nosiewasseatedtryingtosmokedrydock-leafwrappedinnewspaperwithoutbeingsick,whenhiseyecaughtthetrimlittlefigureontheoppositesideofthemoat.

"Hey,boys!"hecried,"here'stheSmithlass.Let'sgoandhither!"

NowMasterNosiehadnotbeenprominentonthegreatdayofthebattleoftheBlackSheds,buthefeltinstinctivelythatagainsta

solitarygirlhehadatlastsomechancetoasserthimself.Sohethrewawayhispapercigar,andranroundthebrokencausewaytotheplacewherePrissywasstanding.

[Illustration:"'OH,PLEASEDON'T,SIR!'"]

"Ifyouplease,sir,"beganPrissysweetly,"I'vecometoaskyounottofightanymore.Itisn'tright,youknow,andGodwillbeangry."

NosieCuthbertsondidnotatallattendtotheappealsogentlyandcourteouslymadetohim.HeonlycaughtPrissybythehand,andbegantwistingherwristandsqueezingherslenderfingerstillthejointsgroundagainsteachother,andPrissybitherlipsandwasreadyto

crywithpain.

"Oh,_please_don't,sir!"shepleadedsoftly,tryingtosmileasatafamousjest."IcamebecauseIwantedtospeaktoyourcaptain,andI'vebroughtalotofnicethingsforyouall.Ithinkyouwillbesuretolikethem."

"Humbug,"criedNosieCuthbertson,performinganotheryetmorepainfultwist,"thebasket'soursanyway.Icapturedit.Hey,Bob,catchholdofthischuck,whileIgivethegirl_toko_--I'llteachhertocomespyinghereaboutourcastle!"

CHAPTERXXXI.

PRISSY'SPICNIC.

Butjustatthismomentanimportantpersonagestalkedthroughthegreatbroken-downdoorwaybywhichkingsandprincesmostmagnificenthadonceenteredtheancientCastleoftheLorraines.Hestooda

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momentortwoonthethresholdbehindNosieCuthbertson,silentlycontemplatinghiscourageousdoings.

PresentlyalittlestifledcryescapedfromPrissy,causedbyoneofNosie'srefinementsintorture,whichconsistedinseparatingherfingersandpullingtwoinonedirectionandtwointheother.Nosiewasayouthofpartsandpromise,whohadalreadyproceededsomedistanceonhiswaytothegallows.

ButtheImportantPersonage,whowasnootherthanNipperDonnanhimself,didnotlongremainquiescent.Headvancedsuddenly,seizedNosieCuthbertsonbythescruffoftheneck,kickedhimseveraltimesseverely,tweakedhiseartillitlookedasifithadbeenconstructedofthebestindia-rubber,andthenendedbytumblinghimintothemoat,wherehedisappearedasnoiselesslyasifhehadfallenintogreensyrup.

"Now,what'sallthis?"criedthelordlyNipper,whosedoingsamonghisownnomandaredtoquestion,forreasonsconnectedwithhealth.AtthefirstsightofhimBobHetheringtonhadquietlyshoulderedhismusket,andbegunpacingupanddownwithhisnoseintheair,asifhehadneversomuchasdreamedofgoingnearPrissy'sbasket.

"What'sallthis,Isay--you?"demandedhiscaptain.

"Idon'tknowanybloomin'thingaboutit----"beganBob,withwhomignorance,ifnothonesty,wascertainlythebestpolicy.

"Salute!"roaredhisofficer;"don'tyouknowenoughtosalutewhenyouspeaktome?Wanttogetknockedendways?"

SulkilyBobHetheringtonobeyed.

"Well?"saidNipperDonnan,somewhatappeasedbytheappearanceofNosieCuthbertsonashescrambledupthebank,withthegreenscumofduckweedclingingalloverhim.Hewasshakinghisheadandmutteringanathemas,declaringwhathisfatherwoulddotoNipperDonnan,when

withinhisheartheknewthatfirstofallsomethingverypainfulwouldbedonetohimselfbythatable-bodiedrelativeassoonaseverheshowedfaceathome.

"Thisgirlshecometothedrawbridgeandhollered--that'sallIknow!"saidthesentry,disassociatinghimselffromanytroubleascompletelyaspossible.Bobfeltthatunderthecircumstancesitwasverydistinctlyfollytobewise."Idon'tknowwhatshehollered,butNosieherunsan'beginstwistingherarm,andthenthegirlshebeginstoholleragain!"

"Ididn'tmeanto,"saidPrissytremulously,"buthe_was_hurtingsodreadfully."

"Comehere,you!"shoutedNippertotheretiringNosie.Whereuponthatyounggentleman,hearingthedreadfulvoiceofhischiefofficer,andbeingatthetimeontherightsideofthemoat,didnotpausetorespond,butpromptlytooktohisheelsinthedirectionofthetown.

"Runafterhimandbringhimback,twoofyoufellows!Don'tdarecomebackwithouthim!"criedNipper,andathiswordtwobigboysdetachedthemselvesfromthedoorpostsinwhichtheguardwaskept,anddashedafterthedeserter.

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"Oh,don'thurthim--perhapshedidn'tmeanit!"criedtheuniversallysympatheticPrissy."Hedidn'thurtmemuchafterall,anditisquitebetternowanyway."

NipperDonnancould,asweknow,beascruelasanybody,buthelikedtokeepboththetheoryandpracticeofterrorinhisownhands.Besides,somepossiblefar-offfragrancefromanotherlifestirredinhimwhenhesawtheslimgirlishfigureofPrissySmith,cladallinwhitewithalargesun-bonnetedgedwithpalegreen,standingonthebankandappealingtohimwitheyesdifferentfromanyhehadeverseen.Hewanted,heknewnotwhy,tokickNosieCuthbertson--kickhimmuchharderthanhehaddonebeforehesawwhomhewastormenting.Hehadneverparticularlynoticedanyone'seyesbefore.Hehadthoughtvaguelythateveryonehadthesamekindofeyes.

[Illustration:"THERETURNOFTHETWOSWIFTFOOTMEN."]

"Well,whatdoyouwant?"hesaidgruffly.ForwithNipperandhisclassemotionorshamefacednessofanykindalwaysinthefirstinstanceproducesadditionaldourness.

Prissysmileduponhim--aglad,confidentsmile.Shewasthedaughterofonewarchief,thesisterofanother,andsheknewthatitis

alwaysbestandsimplesttotreatonlywithprincipals.

"YouknowthatIdidn'tcometospyorfindoutanything,don'tyou?"shesaid;"onlyIwassosorrytothinkyouwerefightingwitheachother,whentheBibletellsustoloveoneanother.Whycan'tweallbenicetogether?I'msureHughJohnwouldifyouwould----"

"Gammon--thisisourcastle,"saidNipperDonnansullenly,"myfatherhesaysso.Everybodysaysso.Yourfatherhasnorighttoit."

"Well,but--"repliedPrissy,withwoman'sgentlewitavoidingalldiscussionoftheboneofcontention,"I'msureyouwouldletuscomehereandhavepicnicsandthings.Andyoucouldcometoo,andplayat

soldiersandmarchinganddrills--allwithoutfightingtohurt."

"Fightingisthebestfun!"snarledNipper;"besides,'twasn'tusthatbegunit."

"Then,"answeredPrissy,"wouldn'titbeallthenicerofyouifyouweretostopfirst?"

ButthisNipperDonnancouldnotbeexpectedtounderstand.Adiversionwascausedatthismomentbythereturnofthetwoswiftfootmen,withtheculpritNosiebetweenthem,doingthefrog'smarch,andhavinghisownexperiencesastowhatarm-twistingmeant.

"Casthimintothedeepestdungeonbeneaththecastlemoat!"thunderedthebrigandchief.

"Can't,"saidtheelderofthetwocaptors,oneJoeCraig,thesonoftheCarlislecarrier;"can't--wecouldn'tgethimoutagainifwedid!"

"Wellthen,"--returnedthegreatchief,swiftlydecidinguponanalternativeplan,asifhehadthoughtaboutitfromthefirst,"chuckhimdownanywhereonthestones,andgetFatSandytositonhim."

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[Illustration:"HYDRAULICPRESSURE."]

JoeCraigobedientlysaluted,andpresentlysundrymoansandsoundsofexhaustedbreathindicatedthatNosieCuthbertsonwasbeingsubjectedtohydraulicpressurebytheunseentormentorwhomNipperDonnanhadcalledFatSandy.PrissyfeltthatnothingshecouldsaywouldforthepresentlessenMasterNosie'sgriefs,soshewentontoaccomplishherpurposebyothermeans.

"Ifyouplease,Mr.Captain,"shesaidpolitely,"Ithoughtyouwouldliketotasteournicesheep's-head-pie.Janetmakesitalloutofherownhead.Besides,therearesomedee-liciousfruitswhichIhavebroughtyou;andifyouwillletmecomein,Iwillmakeyousomelovelytea?"

NipperDonnanconsidered,andatlastshookhishead.

"Idon'tknow,"hesaid,"'tisn'tregular.Howdoweknowthatyouaren'taspy?"

"Youcouldbindmyeyeswithanapkin,and----"

"That'sthething!"criedseveralofNipper'sfollowers,whoscented

somethingtoeat,andwhoknewthatthecommissariatwastheweakpointinthedefencesoftheCastleofWindyStandardundertheConsulshipofDonnan.

"Well,"saidthechief,"that'saccordingtorule.Here,TimothyTracy,tellusifthatisallright."

WhereuponuproseTimothyTracy,alonglankboywithyellowishhairanddulllack-lustreeyes,outofanicheinthewallandunfoldedanumberof"TheWildBoysofNewYork."Herustledtheflaccid,ill-conditionedleavesandfoundtheplace.

"'ThenBendigoBillwenttothegatewayofthestockadetointerview

theemissaryofthebesiegers.Withkeenunerringeyesheexaminedhiscredentials,andfindingthemcorrect,hetookfromthebreastofhisfringedbuckskinhunting-dressahandkerchiefoffineIndiansilk,andwithitheswathedtheeyesoftheambassador.ThentakingtheenvoybythehandheledhimpasttheimpregnabledefencesoftheComancheCowboysintothepresenceoftheirhaughtychief,whowasseatedwiththefairLulujabesidehim,holdingherdelicatehand,andinhalingthefragranceofachoiceHavannacigarthroughhisnobleaquilinenose.'

"That'sallitsays,"saidTimothyTracy,succinctly,andstraightwaycurledhimselfupagaintoresumehisownstoryattheplacewherehehadleftitoff.

"Well,that'sallprettystraightandeasy.Nobodycansayfairernorthat,"meditatedBobHetherington.

"Shutup!"saidhischief;"whoaskedforyouroar?I'llknockthebloomin'nutoffyouifyoudon'twatchout.Blindfoldtheemissaryoftheenemy,andbringherbeforemeintotheinnercourt."

Andwiththisperemptorycommand,NipperDonnandisappeared.

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Buttheorderwasmoreeasilygiventhanobeyed.FornotonlycouldtheentirearrayoftheComancheCowboysproducenothingevendistantlyresemblingIndiansilk(whichatanyratewasacounselofperfection),butwhatwasworse,theirpocketswereequallydestituteofcommondomesticlinen.Indeedtheproceedingswouldhavefallenthroughatthispointhadnottheambassadressofferedherown.ThiswasknottedroundherbrowsbyJoeCraig,withthebestintentionsintheworld.

Immediatelyaftercompletingthearrangement,hesteppedinfrontofPrissyandsaid,thrustinghisfistbelowhernose,"Tellmeifyouseeanything--mind,trueas'Hope-you-may-Die!'"

"Idoseesomething,somethingverydirty,"saidPrissy,"butIcan'tquitetellwhatitis."

"She_can_see,boys,"criedJoeindignantly,"it'smyhand."

Everyboyrecognisedthedescription,andthehandkerchiefwasoncemoreadjustedwithgreatercareandprecisionthanbefore,sothatitwasonlybythesenseofsmellthatPrissycouldjudgeoftheproximityofJoeCraig'sfingers.

"Pleaseletmecarrymybasketmyself--I'vegotmybestchina

tea-serviceinit--andthenIwillbesurethatitwon'tgetbroken."

Alicentioussoldierywasabouttoobject,butasterncommandissuedunexpectedlyfromoneofthearrow-slitsthroughwhichtheirchiefhadbeenonthewatch.

"Givethegirlthebasket!Doyouhear--you?"

AndinthismannerPrissyenteredthecastle,guardedoneithersidebysoldierswithfixed(wooden)bayonets.Andattheinnerandouterports,theconvoywashaltedandaskedforthepass-word.

"_Death!_"criedJoeCraig,atthepitchofhisvoice.

"_Vengeance!_"repliedthesentry."Pass,'_Death_'!"

AtlastPrissyfeltthegrassbeneathherfeet,andthehandkerchiefbeingslippedfromhereyes,shefoundherselfwithinthecourtyardofthecastle.Thecaptainofthebandsatbeforeherwitharedsashtiedtightlyabouthiswaist.Byhissideswungabutcher'ssteel,almostaslongandtwiceasdangerousasasword.

Prissybeganhermissionatonce,toallowCaptainDonnannotimetoorderheroutagain,ortoputherintoadungeon,ashehaddonewithHughJohn.

"Ithinkwehadbetterhaveteafirst,"shesaid."Haveyougotamatch-box?"

Shecouldnothavetakenabetterline.NipperDonnansteppeddownfromhishighhorseatonce.Heputhishandintohispocket."Ihaveonlyfusees,"hesaidgrandly,"butperhapstheywilldo.Youseeregularsmokersneveruseanythingelse."

"Ohyes,theywilldoperfectly,"returnedPrissysweetly,"itisjusttolightthespirit-lamp.Seehownicelyitfitsin.Isn'tita

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beauty?Igotthatfromfatheronmybirthday.Wasn'titniceofhim?"

NipperDonnangrunted.Heneverfoundanymarkeddifferencebetweenhisbirthdayandanyotherday.Neverthelesshestoodbyandassistedatthemakingofthetea,aprocesswhichinterestedhimgreatly.

"Ishallneedsomemorefreshspringwaterforsomanycups,"saidPrissy,"Ionlybroughtthefullofthekettlewithme."

Thechiefslightlywavedahaughtyhand,whichinstantlyimpelledJoeCraigforwardasifmovedbyaspring."Bringsomefreshwaterfromthewell!"hecommanded.

JoeCraigtookthetindipper,andwasmarchingoff.Prissylookeddistressed.

"Whatisit?"saidtherobberchief.NowPrissydidnotwanttoberude,butshehadherfeelings.

"Oh,please,Mr.Captain,"shesaid,"hishands--Ithinkhehasperhapsbeenworking----"

NipperDonnanhadnofinescruples,butherespectedtheminsuchanunknownquantityasthisdaintylittleladywiththegreentrimmed

sun-bonnetandthewidely-openedeyes.

"Tracy,fetchthewater,youlazyjaundicedtoad!"hecommanded.Thesallowstudentroseunwillingly,andmovedoffwithhisfacestillbentuponthethrillingpagesof"TheWildBoysofNewYork,"whichheheldfoldedsmallinhishandforconvenienceofperusal.

Presentlytheteabeingmade,thewhiteclothwaslaidonthegrass,andtheentirecompanyoftheSmoutchyBoyscrowdedabout,alwaysexceptingthesentinelsattheeastandwestdoors,whobeingondutycouldnotimmediatelyparticipate.Thesheep's-head-pie,thebread,thebutter,thefruitswereallsetoutinorder,andthewholepresentedsuchanappearanceastheinsideoftheCastleofWindy

Standardhadneverseenthroughallitsgenerations.

Prissyconductedherselfpreciselyasifshehadbeendispensingafternoonteatocallersinthedrawing-room,as,sinceherlastbirthday,herfatherhadoccasionallypermittedhertodo.

"Doyoutakesugar?"sheasked,delicatelypoisingapieceinthedolls'sugar-tongs,andsmilinghermostpolitefullyconventionalsmileatNipperDonnan.

Thebrigandchiefhadneverbeenaskedsuchaquestionbefore,andhadnoansweroftheusualkindathand.Butherepliedforallthat.

"_Rather!_"hecriedinaburst,"ifthegrocer'snotlookin'!"

"Imeaninyourtea!Doyoutakesugarinyourtea?"

Prissywasstillsmiling.

Nipperappearedtoacquiesce.Twoknobsofsugarweredroppedin.Thewhippedcreamoutofthewide-mouthedbottlewasspooneddelicatelyonthetop,andwithayetmorecharmingsmilethecupwaspassedtohim.Hehelditbetweenhisfingerandthumb,asaninquiringnaturalist

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holdsararebeetle.Thenheputitdownonalowfragmentofwallandlookedatit.

"Onelumportwo?"queriedPrissyagain,graciouslytransferringherattentionstoJoeCraig.

"Eh,what?"ejaculatedthatwarrior.Prissyrepeatedherquestion.

"AsmanyasIcanget!"criedtheboy.

Soonebyonethebrigandswereserved,andthesubduedlookwhichrestsuponaSunday-schoolpicnicatthehourofrefreshmentsettleddownuponthem.TheSmoutchyboyisbadandbold,buthedoesnotlikeyoutoseehimintheactofeating.Hisinstinctistogetbehindawall,orintothethickofacopseanddoitthere.Asimilarfeelingsendsthesparrowwithalargercrumbthantheothersintotheseclusionofhisnestamongtheivy.

Neverthelessthebreadandjam,theraisins,andthesheep's-head-piedisappeared'likesnowoffadyke.'Thewonderofthethimblefulcups,continuallyreplenished,grewmoreandmoresurprising;and,winkingslylyateachothertheSmoutchiespassedtheminwithatouchoftheircapstobefilledandrefilledagainandagain.Prissykeptthekettlebesideher,outofwhichshepouredthewaterbroughtby

TimothyTracyasshewantedit.Thegoldencolouroftheteadegenerated,butsolongasafewdropsofmilkremainedtomaskthefraudfromtheireyes,theSmoutchiesdrankthewarmwaterwithequalrelish.

"Besidesit'ssomuchbetterforyournerves,youknow!"saidPrissy,puttingheractionuponahygienicbasis.

Atfirsttheboyshadbeeninclinedtosnatchtheviandsfromthetable-cloth,andtherewasonefootprintonthefurtheredge.ButtheironhandofNipperDonnanknockedtwoorthreeintruderssprawling,andafterthattheeatablesweredistributedaspatientlyandexactlyasataLordMayor'sbanquet.

"Pleasewillyouletthatboygetup?--Ithinkhemusthavebeensatuponquitelongenoughnow,"saidPrissy,whocouldnotbeartolistentotheuneasygroaningoftheoppressedprisoner.

Thechiefgrantedtheboon.Thesitterandhisvictimcameinandwereregaledamicablyfromoneplate."Pieces"andfullcupsofteaweredespatchedtothedistantsentinels,andfinallythewholecompanywasinthemidstofwashingup,whenPrissy,whohadbeenkneelingonthegrasswipingsaucersonebyone,suddenlyrosetoherfeetwithalittlecry.

"Oh,itissodreadful--I_quite_forgot!"

TheSmoutchiesstoodopen-mouthed,someholdingdishes,somewithbelatedpiecesofpie,someonlywiththeirhandsintheirpockets,butallwaitingeagerlyfortherevelationofthedreadfulthingwhichtheirhostesshadforgotten.

"Why,weforgottosaygrace!"shecried--"well,anywayIamgladIrememberedintime.Wecansayitnow.Whoistheyoungest?"

Theboysalllookedguiltilyateachother.Prissypickedoutasmall

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boyofstuntedaspect,butwhosefacewasoldandwizened.Hehadjustputapieceoftobaccointohismouthtotakeawaythetasteofthetea.

"Yousayit,littleboy,"shesaidpointedly,andshuthereyesforhimtobegin.

Theboygasped,glancedonceathischief,andmadeaboltforthedoor,throughwhichhehadfledbeforethesentinelshadtimetostophim.AttheclatterPrissyopenedhereyes.

"Whatisthematterwiththatboy?Couldn'thesaygrace?Didn'therememberthebeginning?Well,yousayitthen----"

NipperDonnanshookhishead.Hehadafinenaturalcontemptforallreligiousservicesintheabstract,butwhenonewasbroughtbeforehimasaceremony,hissenseofdisciplinetoldhimthatitmustsomehowbevaluable.

"Bettersayityourself,"hesuggested.

WhereatPrissydevoutlyclaspedherhandsandshuthereyes.

Therewasasmartsmackandsomethingfellover.Prissyopenedher

eyes,andsawaboysprawlingonthegrass.

"Right,"saidNipperDonnancheerfully,"goahead--JoeCraiglaughed.I'llteachhimtolaughexceptwhenItellhimto."

SoPrissyagainproceededwithagraceofherowncomposition:

"_Godblessourtable,Blessourfood;Andmakeusstable,Braveandgood._"

AfterallwasoverPrissylefttheCastleofWindyStandard,without

indeedobtaininganypledgefromthechiefofthearmyofoccupation,butnotwithouthavingdonesomegood.Andshewentforthwithdignitytoo.Fornotonlydidtherobberchieftainprovideherwithanescort,butheorderedtherampartstobemanned,andageneralsalutetobefiredinherhonour.

Prissywavedherhandvigorously,andhadalreadyproceededalittlewaytowardsthestepping-stones,whenshestopped,laiddownherbasket,andranbacktotheposterngate.Shetookherlittletortoise-shellcard-caseoutofherpocket.

"Oh,Iwasnearlyforgetting--howdreadfullyrudeofme!"shesaid,andforthwithpulledoutacardonwhichshehadpreviouslywritten

veryneatly:

+---------------------------------------+|||_MissPriscillaSmith_||||_AtHomeEveryDay_|+---------------------------------------+

Shelaiditonthestones,andtrippedaway."I'msorryIhavenotmy

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brother'scardtoleavealso,"shesaid,lookingupatthebrigandchief,whohadbeenwatchinghercuriouslyfromawindow.

"Oh,"saidNipperDonnan,"weshallbepleasedtoseehimifhedropsinonSaturday--oranyothertime."

Thenhewaitedtillthetrimwhitefigurewassomedistancefromthegatewaybeforehetookhiscapfromhisheadandwaveditintheair.

"Threepropercheersforthelittlelady!"hecried.

AndthegrimoldwallsoftheCastleofWindyStandardneverechoedtoaheartiershoutthanthatwithwhichtheSmoutchyboysspedMissPriscillaSmith,thedaughteroftheirarchenemy,uponherhomewardway.

Prissypoisedherselfontiptoeattheentranceofthecopse,andblewthemadaintycollectivekissfromherfingers.

"Thankyousomuch,"shecried,"youareverykind.Comeandseemesoon--andbesureyoustoptotea."

Andwiththatshetrippedswiftlyawayhomewardwithanemptybasketandahappyheart.

Thatnightinherlittleroombeforeshewenttosleepshereadoverherfavouritetext,"Blessedarethepeace-makers,fortheyshallbecalledthechildrenofGod."

"Ohdear,"shesaid,"Ishouldsoliketobeonesomeday."

CHAPTERXXXII.

PLANOFCAMPAIGN.

Saturdaymorningdawnedcalmandclearafterheavyrainonthehills,withaSabbath-likepeaceintheair.ThesmokeofEdamrosestraightupintothefirmamentfromahundredchimneys,andtheLiasCoalMinecontributedayettallerpillartotheskies,whichbushedoutatthetoptillitresembledanumbrellawithathickhandle.HughJohnhadbeenveryearlyastir,andoneofhisfirstvisitshadbeentothegipsycamp,wherehefoundBillyBlythewithseveralothersallcladintheirtumblingtights,practisingtheirgreatBoundingBrothers'act.

"Hello,"criedHughJohnjovially,"atitalready?"

"Themornin'sthebesttimeforsupplingthejints!"answeredBillysententiously;"askLeproniaLovell,there.Sheshouldknowwithallthemtinpansgoingclitter-clatteronherback."

"I'llbethankin'ye,BillyBlythe,tokapeatightholtontheslacko'thatwhopperjawofyours.Itwillbebetterforyouatsupper-timethanjeerin'atastrangergirl,thatisarnin'herbiteo'breaddaycent.Andthat'sadealmorethanyecando,aye,orannywanlikeye!"

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Andwiththesebravewords,LeproniaLovellwentjinglingaway.

TheBoundingBrothersthrewthemselvesintoknots,spunthemselvesintoparti-colouredtops,turneddoubleandtreblesomersaults,builthumanpyramids,andgenerallybehavedasiftheyhadnobonesinanypermanentpositionsthroughouttheirentirebodies.HughJohnstoodbyinwonderandadmiration.

"Areyouafraid?"criedBillyfromwherehestood,archinghisshouldersandswayingalittle,asoneofthesupportersofthepyramid."No?--thentakeoffyourboots."HughJohninstantlystoodinhisstockingsoles.

"Upwithhim!"Andbeforeheknewit,hewasfaraloft,withhisfeetontheshouldersofthehighestpair,whosupportedhimwiththeirrightandlefthandsrespectively.Fromhiselevatedperchhecouldseetheenemy'sflagflauntingdefiancefromthetopmostbattlementsofthecastle.

AssoonashereachedthegroundhementionedwhathehadseentoBillyBlythe.

"We'llhaveitlowandmeanenoughthisnightaseverwas,beforethe

edgeo'dark!"saidBilly,withagrimnodofhishead.

*****

Therainsofthenighthadswelledthefordsothatthestepping-stoneswerealmostimpracticable--indeed,entirelysofortheshortbrownlegsofSirToadyLion.Thiscircumstanceaddedgreatlytothestrengthoftheenemy'sposition,andgavetheSmoutchiesadecidedadvantage.

"Theycan'tbeatthecastleallthetime,"saidBilly;"whynotletmymatesandmegoinbeforetheygetthere?Thenwecouldeasilykeepeveryoneofthemout."

ThissuggestionmuchdistressedGeneralSmith,whoendeavouredtoexplainthetermsofhiscontracttothegipsylad.HeshowedhimthatitwouldnotbefairtoattacktheSmoutchiesexceptonSaturday,becauseatanyothertimetheycouldnothavealltheirforcesinthefield.

Billythoughtwithsomereasonthatthiswassimplefolly.Butintimehewasconvincedofthewisdomofnot"makingtwoblazesofthesamewasps'byke,"asheexpressedit.

"Doforthemonceoutandout,andbedonewithit!"washisfinaladvice.

HughJohncouldnotkeepfromthinkinghowstaleandunprofitableitwouldbewhenalltheSmoutchieshadbeenfinally"donefor,"andwhenhedidnotwakentonewproblemsofwarfareeverymorning.

Accordingtothefinalarrangementsthemainattackwastobedevelopedfromthebroadestpartofthecastleislandbelowthestepping-stones.ThereweretwoboatsbelongingtothehouseofWindyStandard,lyinginaboat-housebythelittlepieronthewaytoOaklands.Forsecuritythesewereattachedbyacoupleofpadlocksto

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astrongdoublestaple,whichhadbeendrivenrightthroughthesolidfloorofthelanding-stage.

Thepadlockswerenew,andthewholeappearedimpregnabletothesimplemindsofthechildren,andeventoMikeandPeterGreg.ButBillysmiledashelookedatthem.

"Why,openingthem'saseasyasfallingoffastoolwhenyou'reasleep.Gimmeahairpin."

ButneitherPrissynorCissyCarterhadyetattainedtothedignityofhavingtheirhairdoneup,soneithercarriedsuchathingaboutwiththem.Businesswasthusatastandstill,whenHughJohncalledtoPrissy,"GoandaskJaneHousemaidtogiveusone."

"Agoodthick'un!"calledBillyBlytheafterher.

Theswift-footedDianofWindyStandardhadonlybeenawayaminuteortwobeforeshecameflyingbacklikethewind.

"She-won't-give-us-any-unless-we-tell-her-what-it-is-for!"shepanted,allinonelongword.

"Rats!"saidHughJohncontemptuously,"askherwhereshewaslast

Fridayweekateleveno'clockatnight!"

TheDivineHuntressflittedawayagainonwingedfeet,andinatricewasbackwiththreehairpins,stillglossyfromtheirrecenttaskofsupportingthewell-oiledhairofJaneHousemaid.

WithquicksupplehandBillytwistedthewirethiswayandthat,triedthepadlockonce,andthendeftlybenttheductilemetalagainwithapairofsmallpincers.Thewardsclickedpromptlyback,andlo!thepadlockwashangingbyitscurvedtongue.Theotherwasstifferwithrust,butwasopenedinthesameway.Thebesiegerswerethusinpossessionoftwofinetransportsinwhichtoconveytheirarmytothesceneofconflict.

ItwastheplanoftheGeneralthatthemenunderBillyBlytheshouldfillthelargerofthetwoboats,anddropsecretlydowntheleftchanneltilltheywerecloseunderthewallsofthecastle.Theenemy,beingpreviouslyalarmedbythebeatingofdrumsandthemusketryfireonthelandside,wouldneverexpecttobetakenintherear,andprobablywouldnothaveasinglesoldierstationedthere.

Indeed,towardstheEdamWater,thewallsofthekeeprosethirtyorfortyfeetintotheairwithoutanaperturewideenoughtothrustanarmthrough.Sothattheneedofdefenceonthatsidewasnotveryapparenttothemostcarefulcaptain.Butatthesouth-westcorner,oneoftheflankingturretshadbeenoverthrown,thoughtherestill

remainedseveralstepsofadescentintothewater.Butsohighwastheriveronthisoccasion,thatitlappedagainstthemasonryoftheouterdefences.Tothispointthen,apparentlyimpregnable,theformidabledivisionunderBillyBlythewastomakeitsway.

Therewasnothingverymartialabouttheappearanceofthesesonsofthetentandcaravan.

TheBoundingBrothersworetheirtrickdresses,andasfortherest,theyweresimplyandcomprehensivelyarrayedinshirtandtrousers.

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Notaweapon,notasash,notastick,sword,norgunbroketheharmonioussimplicityofthegipsyarmy.

Yetitwasevidentthattheyknewsomethingwhichgavethemsecretconfidence,forallthetimetheywereinastateofhighglee,onlypartiallysuppressedbytheauthorityoftheirleader,andbythenecessityforcareinmanningtheboatwithsolargeacrew.TherewerefourteenwhoweretoadventureforthunderBilly'spennon.

TotheformerassailantsoftheBlackShedstherehadbeenaddedastoutandwillingsoldierfromthegardensofWindyStandard,--aboynamedGregory(ormorepopularlyGregory'sMixture),togetherwithaforesterlad,whowascalledCraw-bogleTamfromhisformeroccupationofscaringthecrowsoutofthecorn.SammyCarterhadbeencashieredsometimeagobytheCommander-in-chief,butneverthelessheappearedwiththreecousinsallarmedwithdog-whips,whichSammyassuredHughJohnwerethedeadliestofweaponsatclosequarters.Altogetheritwasaformidablearray.

TheboatfortheattackonthelandsidewassofullthatthereremainednoroomforToadyLion.Thatyounggentlemanpromptlysatdownonthelanding-stage,andsentupahowlwhichinafewmomentswouldcertainlyhavebroughtdownJanetSheepshanksandallthecurbingpowersfromthehouse,hadhenotbeencommittedtothecare

ofPrissy,withpublicinstructionstogethimsometoffyandaprivateordertotakehimintothetown,andkeephimtheretillthestrugglewasover.

PrissywentoffwithSirToadyLion,bothinhighglee.

"I'segoingroundbythewhitebwidge--solong,everybody!I'llbeatthecastleassoonasyou!"hecriedashedeparted.

HughJohnsighedasighofreliefwhenhesawthemsafelyoffthemuster-ground.Cissy,however,wascomingonboardassoonasevertheboatwasreadytostart.ShehadbeenpostedtowatchthemovementsofthehouseholdofWindyStandard,andwouldreportatthelastmoment.

"Allright,"shecriedfromherwatch-toweramongthewhins,"PrissyandToadyLionareroundthecorner,andJanetSheepshankshasjustgoneintothehighgardentogetparsley."

"Upanchors,"criedHughJohnsolemnly,"thehourhascome!"

MikeandBillytossedthepadlockchainsintothebottomoftheboatsandpushedoff.Therewerenoanchors,butthemistakewaspermissibletoasimplesoldierlikeGeneralNapoleonSmith.

CHAPTERXXXIII.

TOADYLION'SSECONDLONEHAND.

EdamWaterranswiftly,surgingandpushingsouthwardonitswaytothesea.Itwasbrownanddrumlywithawrackoftwigsandleaves,snatchedfromthelowbranchesofthehazelsandalderswhichfringeditsbanks.Itfrettedandelbowed,frothinglikeyeastaboutthe

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landing-placefromwhichthetwoboat-loadsweretosetoutfortheattack.

GeneralNapoleonSmith,equippedwithswordandsash,satinthesternofthefirst,inordertosteer,whilePrinceMichaelO'Donowitchstoodonthejettyandheldtheboat'shead.TheotherssatstillintheirplacestilltheGeneralgavetheword.Theeagersoldieryventedtheirfeelingsinagreatshout.CissyCartertookherplacewithaflyingleapjustastheropewascastoff,andthefatefulvoyagebegan.

Atfirsttherewaslittletobedonesaveinthewayofkeepingthevessel'sheadstraight,fortheEdamWater,swirlingandbrownwiththemountainrains,hurriedhertowardstheislandwithalmosttoogreatspeed.Witharushtheypassedthewidegapbetweentheunsubmergedstonesofthecauseway,atwhichpointtheboldestheldhisbreath.Thebeachofpebbleswasimmediatelybeyond.Buttheywerenottobeallowedtolandwithoutastruggle;forthere,directlyontheirfront,appearedthemassedforcesoftheenemy,occupyingthehighbluffbehind,andpreparedtopreventthedisembarkationbyadesperatefusilladeofstonesandturf.

Itwasinthishourofperilthatthesoldierlyqualitiesoftheleaderagaincameoutmoststrongly.

Hekepttheboat'sheadstraightfortheshore,asifhehadbeengoingtobeachher,tillshewaswithinadozenyards;thenwithaquickstrokeofhissteeringoarheturnedherrightforthewillowcopseswhichfringedtheislandontheeasternside.Thewaterhadrisen,sothattheseweresunktohalftheirheightinthequick-runningflood,andtheirleavessuckedunderwiththeforceofthecurrent.ButbehindtherewasaquietbackwaterintowhichHughJohnranhisvesselheadontillsheslantedwithagentleheaveuponthegreenturf.

"Overboardeveryman!"hecried,andshowedtheexamplehimselfbydashingintothewateruptotheknees,carryingtheblueensignof

hiscause.Theenemyhadnotexpectedthisrapidflankmovement,andwaitedonlytilltheinvadershadformedinbattlearraytoretreatuponthecastle,fearfulperhapsofbeingcutofffromtheirstronghold.

General-Field-MarshalSmithaddressedhisarmy.

"Soldiers,"hesaid,"we'vegottofight,andit'sdeadearnestthistime,mindyou.We'regoingtolicktheSmoutchies,sothattheywillstaylickedalongtime.Now,comeon!"

Thisbriefaddresswasconsideredonallhandstobeamodeleffort,andworthyoftheimitationofallgeneralsinthefaceoftheenemy.

Themostvulnerablepartofthecastlefromthelandwardsidewasundoubtedlythegreatdoorway--anopenarchofsomesixfeetwide,which,however,hadtobeapproachedunderagallingcrossfirefromtheportsateithersideandfromthelintelabove.

"It'snousewastingtime,"criedtheGeneral;"followmetothedoor."

Andwithhisswordinhishandhedartedvaliantlyupthesteepinclinewhichledtothecastle.CissyCarterchargedathisleft

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shoulderalsoswordinhand,whileMikeandPeter,withGregory'sMixtureandtheCrawBogle,werescarcelyastepbehind.

Stonesandmortarhaileddownuponthedevotedband;sticksandclodsofturfstruckthemontheirshouldersandarms.Butwiththeirteethclenchedandtheirheadsbentlow,thestormingpartyrushedundauntedlyupontheirfoes.

TheSmoutchieshadbuiltabreast-workofdriftwoodinfrontofthegreatentrance,butitwassoflimsythatMikeandhiscompanionskickeditawayinamoment--yetnotbeforeGeneralSmith,lightasayounggoat,hadoverleapeditandlaunchedhimselfsolitaryonthefoe.Then,withthewayclear,itwascutandthrustfromstarttofinish.

FirstamongtheassailantsGeneralSmithcrossedswordswiththegreatNipperDonnanhimself.Buthisreserveshadnotyetcomeup,andsohewasbeatendownbythreecracksontheheadreceivedfromdifferentquartersatthesametime.ButlikeWitheringtonintheballad,hestillfoughtuponhisknees;andwhilePrinceMichaelandGregory'sMixtureheldtheenemyatbaywiththeirstoutsticks,thestrickenHughJohnkeptwelldownamongtheirlegs,andusedhisswordfromunderneathwithdamagingeffect.

"Givethemthepoint--coldsteel!"hecried.

"Cowldsteelitis!"shoutedPrinceMichael,ashebroughtdownhisblackthornupontherightearofNipperDonnan.

"Cauldsteel--tak'youthat!"criedPeterGregtheScotasheletoutwithhisleft,andknockedNoseyCuthbertoverbackwarksintothehallofthecastle.

Thusragedinfronttheheadyfight;andthuswiththeirfacestothefoeandtheirweaponsintheirhands,weleavethevanguardofthearmyofWindyStandard,inorderthatforalittlewemayfollowthefortunesoftheotherdivisions.

*****

Yes,divisionsistheword,thatistosayBillyBlythe'sgipsydivisionand--SirToadyLion.

ForoncemoreToadyLionwasplayingalonehand.

SosoonasPrissyandhehadbeenleftbehind,weregrettobeobligedtoreportthatthebehaviourofthedistinguishedknightleftmuchtobedesired.

"Don'tbebad,ToadyLion,"saidhissister,gentlytakinghimbythe

hand;"comeandlookatnicepicture-books."

"Willbebad,"growledToadyLion,stampinghislittlefootinimpotentwrath;"doanwantt'lookatpitchur-books--wanttogoandfight!AndIwillgotoo,sothere!"

AndinhisfieryindignationheevenkickedathissisterPrissy,andthrewstonesaftertheboatinwhichtheexpeditionhadsailed.Thegipsydivision,whichwastowaittilltheyheardthenoiseofbattlerollupfromthecastleislandbeforecuttingloose,tookpityonSir

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ToadyLion,andbutforthespecialnatureoftheservicerequiredofthem,theywould,Ithink,havetakenhimwiththem.

"That'sararewell-pluckedlittle'un!"criedJoeBaillie."Seehowheshutshisfists,andcutsuprough!"

"Alittleman!"saidtheleaderencouragingly;"walksintohissister'sshins,don'the,thelittlecodger!"

"Letmegowifyou,please,"pleadedToadyLion;"I'llkillyouunless!--Killyoueveryone!"Andhisvoicewasfullofbloodshed.

"Lasttime'twasmethatd'liveredDonald,whentheyallrunnedawayorgottookprisoner;andnowtheywon'teventakemewifthem!"

Billyregretfullyshookhishead.Itwouldnotdotobecumberedwithsmallboysinthedesperatemissiononwhichtheyweregoing.Thehopewasforlornenoughasitwas.

"Waittillwecomeback,little'un,"hesaidkindly;"runawayandplaywithyoursister."

ToadyLionstampedonthegroundmorefiercelythanever.

"Shan'tstopandplaywifagirl.Ifyoudon'tletmecome,Ishallkillyou."

Andwithsentimentsevenmorediscreditable,hepursuedtheirboataslongashecouldreachitwithvolleysofstones,tothegreatdelightofthegipsyboys,whostimulatedhimtoyetmoredesperateexertionswithcriesof"Wellfielded!""Chuckherinhard!""Hithimwithabigone!"Whilesomeofthoseinthesternpretendedtostandshakingindeadlyfear,andimploredToadyLiontosparethembecausetheywereorphans.

"Shan'tsparenone--shallkill'ooeveryone!"criedtheangryToadyLion,luggingatabiggerstonethanall,whichhecouldnotlift

abovethreeinchesfromtheground.

"Willsmass'oowiththis,BillyBlythe--badBilly!"heexclaimed,ashewrestledwiththeboulder.

"Oh,spareme--thinkofmyfamily,ToadyLion,myporewifeandchilder,"pleadedBillyhypocritically.

"'Ooshouldhavefinkedof'oofamblysooner!"criedToadyLion,staggeringtothewater'sedgewiththegreatstone.

Butatthismomentthenoiseofthecryingofthosewarringforthemasterycamefaintlyupfromthecastleisland.Theropethathadbeen

passedthroughtheringonthelanding-stageandheldreadyinthehandofBillyBlythe,wasloosened,andthesecondpartofthebesiegingexpeditionwentdownwiththerushingspatewhichreddenedEdamWater.AndastheyfellawayBillystoodupandcalledforthreecheersfor"littleToadyLion,thebestmanofthelot."

ButToadyLionstoodontheshoreandfairlybellowedwithimpotentrage,andthesoundofhiscrying,"I'llkill'oo!I'llkill'oodead!"rousedJanetSheepshanks,whowastakingadvantageofhermaster'sabsencetocarryoutacompletehouse-cleaning.Sheleftthe

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blanket-washingtoseewhatwasthematter.ButToadyLion,angryashewas,hadsenseenoughtoknowthatifJanetgothim,hewouldbesuperintendedallthemorning.Sowithrealalacrityheslippedasideintothe"scrubbery,"andtherelayhiddentillJanet,anxiousthathermaidsshouldnotscamptheirhouse-work,wascompelledtohurrybacktothelaundrytoseethattheblanketswereproperlywashed.

Afterthistherewasbutonethingtodo,andsotheseconddivision,underSirToadyLion,didit.Heresolvedtoturntheenemy'sflank,andattackhimwithreinforcementsfromanentirelyunexpectedquarter.So,leavingPrissytoherowndevices,hetooktohisheels,andhisfatlegscarriedhimrapidlyinthedirectionofthetownofEdam.Difficultiestherewereofcourse,suchasthebarrierofthewhitelodgegate,whereoldBettylayinwaitforhim.

ButToadyLioncircumnavigatedBettybygoingtothelodge-doorandshoutingwithallhismight,"Betty,comequick,p'rapsthey'ssomesoldierscomin'downtheroad--maybeTom'scomin','oocomeandlook."

"Sodjers--where?--what?"criedoldBetty,wakinguphastilyfromherdoze,andfumblinginherpocketforthegate-key.

ToadyLionwasatherelbowwhensheundidthelatch.ToadyLionchargedpastherwithayell.ToadyLionitwaswhofromthesafe

middleofthehighwaymadethepreposterousexplanation,"Ohno,theyisn'tnosoldiers.'Tisonlyasillyoldfish-manwifatintrumpet."

"Comeback,sir,orI'lltellyourfather!Comebackatonce!"criedoldBetty.

Butshemightshakeherheadandnodwithhernut-crackerchintilltheblackbeadsonherlace"kep"tinkled.Allwasinvain.ToadyLionwasoutofreachfardownthedustymainroadalongwhichtheScotsGreyshadcomethedaythatHughJohnbecameasoldier.ToadyLionwasabornpioneer,andusuallygotwhathewanted,firstofallbydintofknowingexactlywhathedidwant,andthen"fightingitoutonthatlineifittookallsummer"--orevenwintertoo.

TheroadtothetownofEdamwoundunderneathtreesgreatandtall,whichhummedwithbeesandgnatsthatdayasToadyLionspedalong,hisbarefeet"plapping"pleasantlyinthewhitehotdust.Hewasfurtivelycryingallthetime--notfromsorrowbutwithsheerindignation.Hehatedallhiskind.HewasgoingtodeserttotheSmoutchies.HewouldbeaComancheCowboyiftheywouldhavehim,sincehisbrotherandCissyCarterhadturnedagainsthim.Nobodylovedhim,andhewasgladofit.Prissy--oh!yes,butPrissydidnotcount.Shelovedeverybodyandeverything,evenstitchinganddollies,andputtingonwhitethreadgloveswhenyouwentintotown.Soheranon,evadingthehaywaggonsandredfarm-cartswithoutlookingatthem,tillinatricehehadcrossedEdamBridgeandenteredthe

town--intheglaringstreetsanduponthehotpavementofwhichthesunshinewassleeping,andwhichonSaturdayforenoonhadmorethanitsusualaspectofenjoyingaperpetualsiesta.

Theleadingchemistwasstandingathisdoor,wonderingiftherusticwhopassedinsuchahurrycouldactuallybeonthepointofenteringtheshopofhishatedrival.Thelinen-draperatthecornerunderthetownclockwasdividedbetweenkeepinganeyeonhisapprenticestoseethattheydidnotsparwithyardsticks,andmentallycriticisingtheludicrousandmeretriciouswindow-dressingofhisnext-door

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neighbour.

Noneofthemcaredatallforthesmalldustyboywiththetear-furrowedcountenancewhokeptontrottingsosteadilythroughthetown,turnedconfidentlyuptheHighStreet,andfinallydodgedintothepathwhichledpasttheBlackShedstothewoodenbridgewhichjoinedthecastleislandtothebutcher'sparks.AshecrossedthegrassToadyLionheardawrathfulvoicefromsomewherecallingloudly,"Nipper!Nipper-r-r-r!Oh,waittillIcatchyou!"

ForitchancedthatthisdaytheleadingbutcherinEdamwaswithouttheservicesofbothhisyoungerassistants--hissonNipperandhismessageboy,TommyPratt.Mr.Donnanhadanewcaneinhishand,andhewasmakingitwhistlethroughtheairinamostunpleasantandsuggestivemanner.

"Getawayoutofmyfield,littleboy--whereareyougoing?Whatareyoudoingthere?"

Thequestionwasputatshortrangenow,forallunwittinglySirToadyLionhadalmostrunintobutcherDonnan'sarms.

"PleaseIfinksI'segoingtoMist'rBurnham'shouse,"explainedToadyLionreadilybutsomewhatunaccurately;"I'sekeepin'offthe

grass--andIdidn'tknowitwasyourgrassanyway,please,sir."

AtthesametimeToadyLionsalutedbecausehealsowasasoldier,andMr.Donnan,whoinhisuntemperedyouthhadpassedseveralyearsintheranksofHerMajesty'sline,mechanicallyreturnedthecourtesy.

"Why,littleshaver,"hesaidnotunkindly,"thisisn'tthewaytoMr.Burnham'shouse.Thereitisoveramongthetrees.But,hello,talkofthe--ahem--why,herecomesMr.Burnhamhimself."

ToadyLionclappedhishandsandranasfastashecouldinthedirectionoftheclergyman.Mr.Burnhamwasverytall,verysoldierly,verystiff,andhiswell-fittingblackcoatandcordedsilkwaistcoat

weretheadmirationoftheladiesoftheneighbourhood.Hewasneverseenoutofdoorswithouttheglossiestoftallhats,anditwaswhisperedthathehadhistrousersmadetightaboutthecalvesonpurposetolooklikeadean.Itwasalsounderstoodinwell-informedcirclesthathewaswritingabookontheeastwardposition--afterwhichtherewouldbenosuchthingastheLowChurch.Neverthelessanupright,good,and,aboveall,kindlyheartbeatundertheimmaculatesilkM.B.waistcoat;alsostrongcapablearmswereattachedtothearmholesofthecoatwhichfitteditsownerwithoutawrinkle.Indeed,Mr.Burnhamhadabluejacketofadarkshadeinwhichhehadonceuponatimerowedafamousrace.Ithungnowinaglasscabinet,andwastotheclergymanwhatSamboSouliswastoGeneral-Field-MarshalSmith.

Butasweknow,thefearofmandweltnotinSirToadyLion,andcertainlynotfearofhisclergyman.Hetrotteduptohimandsaid,"Iwantstogotothecastle.Youcome."

NowhithertoMr.BurnhamhadalwaysseenSirToadyLionashecame,withshiningfaceandliberallyplasteredhair,fromunderthetendermerciesofJanetSheepshanks--withherpartingmonitiontobehave(andperhapssomethingelse)stillringinginhisear.

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Sothatitisnowonderthathedidnotforthemomentrecogniseinthetear-stained,dust-cakedfaceofthebarefootedimpwhoaddressedhimsounceremoniously,thefeaturesofthesonofhismostprominentparishioner.Hegazeddowninmildlybewilderedsurprise,whereuponToadyLiontookhimfamiliarlybythehandandreiteratedhisrequest,withanaplombwhichhadallthefinalityofaroyalinvitation.

"Takemetothecastleontheisland.I'antstogothere!"

"Andwhomayyoube,littleboy?"

"Don't'ooknow?'Ooknowsmewhen'oocomestoteaatourhouse!"criedToadyLionreproachfully."I'seMist'rSmiff'slittleboy;andI'antstogotothecastle."

"Whydoyouwanttogotothecastleisland?"askedMr.Burnham.

"TofindmybruvverHughJohn,"saidToadyLioninstantly.

Thebutcherhadcomeupandstoodlisteningsilently,afterhaving,withacertainhereditaryrespectforthecloth,respectfullysalutedMr.Burnham.

"Thislittleboywantstogoontheislandtofindhisbrother,"said

theclergyman;"IsupposeImaypassthroughyourfieldwithhim?"

"Certainly!Thepathisoverattheothersideofthefield.ButIdon'tknowbutwhatI'llcomealongwithyou.I'velostmysonandmymessage-boytoo.Itispossibletheymaybeatthecastle.

"Thereissomedustbeingkickedupamongtheboys.Ican'tgetmyrascalstoattendtobusinessatallthislastweekortwo."

AndMr.DonnanagaincausedhiscanetowhistlethroughtheairinawaythatturnedToadyLioncold,andmadehimgladthathewas"Mr.Smift'slittleboy,"andneitherthesonnoryettheerrand-boyofthebutcherofEdam.

Presentlythethreecametothewoodenbridge,andfromittheycouldseetheflagflyingoverthebattlementsofthecastle,andaswarmingpressofblackfiguresswayingthiswayandthatacrossthebrightgreenturfinfront.

"Hurrah--yonderthey'sefightin'.Comeon,Mist'rBurnham,we'llbeintimeyet!"shoutedToadyLion."TheysaidedthatIcouldn'tcome;andI'vecomed!"

Suddenlyafar-offburstofcheeringcametothemdownthewind.Blackdotsswarmedontheperilousbattlementsofthecastle.Otherblackdotswereunceremoniouslypitchedoffthelowerrampartsintothe

ditchbelow.Theredandwhiteflagofjacobinrebellionwaspulledunder,andaclamorouscrowdofdisturbedjackdawsrosefromtheturretsandhungsquallingandcirclingovertheancientandloftywalls.

Theconflicthadindeedjoinedinearnest.Theembattledfoeswereinthedeathgrips;and,fearfullestheshouldarrivetoolate,ToadyLionhurriedforwardhisreinforcements,crying,"Comeonbothofyou!Comeon,quick!"ButcherDonnanbrokeintoarun,whileMr.Burnham,forgettingallabouthissilkwaistcoat,clappedhistallhatonthe

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backofhisheadandstartedforwardathisbestspeed,ToadyLionhangingmanfullyontothelongskirtsofhiscoat,astheHighlandershadclungtothecavalrystirrupsatBalaclavatilltheywereborneintotheveryfloodtideofbattle.

Therewerenowtwotrump-cardsinthelonehand.

CHAPTERXXXIV.

THECROWNINGMERCY.

Wemustnowtakeupthestoryofthethirddivisionofthegreatexpedition,theplanandexecutionofwhichsofullyreflectsthemilitarygeniusofourdistinguishedhero;forthoughthispartwascarriedoutbyBillyBlythe,thecreditofthedesign,aswellasthediscoveryofthemeansofcarryingitout,werewhollyduetoGeneralNapoleonSmith.

WhenthesecondboatsweptlooseandthefutileangerofSirToadyLionhadceasedtoexcitethelaughterofthecrew,thegipsylads

settleddowntowatchingtherushoftheEdamWaterasitsweptthemalong.Theyhad,tobeginwith,aneasiertaskthanthefirstboatexpedition.Noenemyopposedtheirlanding.Nodangerousconcealedstepping-stoneshadtobenegotiatedontheroutetheyweretofollow.Leavingalltotheactionofthecurrent,theysweptthroughtheentrancetothewiderbranch,andpresentlyrangedupalongsidethedesertedwater-frontoftheancientdefences.Theyletthecastledropalittlebehind,andthenrowedupintotheeddymadebythecornerofthefallentower,where,onthemorningofhisdeliverance,HughJohnhaddisturbedtheslumberingsheepbysounexpectedlyemergingfromthesecretpassage.

Billysteppedonshoretochooseagreatstoneforananchor,and

presentlypulledthewholeexpeditionalongsidethefallenmasonry,sothattheywereabletodisembarkasuponapier.

TheBoundingBrothersimmediatelythrewseveralsomersaultsjusttoletoffsteam,tillBillycuffedthemintosomethinglikeseriousness.

"Harkto'em,"whisperedCharlieLee;"ain'ttheypitchingitintothemslick,overthereontheotherside.It'ssurelyaboutourtimetogoatit."

"Justyoushutupandwait,"hissedBillyBlytheunderhisbreath."That'sallyourjobjustnow."

Andhere,inthesafeshelteroftheruinedtower,thefourteenlistenedtotheroarofbattlesurging,nowhigh,nowlow,inheadyfluctuations,turbulentbursts,andyetmoreeloquentsilencesfromtheothersideofthekeep.

Theycoulddistinguish,clearaboveall,thevoiceofGeneralSmith,encouragingonhismeninthepurestandmostvigorousSaxon.

"Goatthem,boys!They'regivingin.SammyCarter,yousneak,I'llsmashyou,ifyoudon'tcharge!Goit,Mike!Wirein,boys!Hikethem

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outlikeBilly-O!"

AndtheBoundingBrothers,intheiritchingdesiretotakepart,rubbedthemselvesdownasiftheyhadbeenhorses,andsoftlysquareduptoeachother,selectingthetenderestspotsandhittinglightly,butwithmostwondrousaccuracy,uponbreastorchin.

"Won'twepunchthem!Ohno!"whisperedCharlieLee.

Butfromthewaythathesaidit,hehardlyseemedtomeanwhathesaid.

Justthencameatremendousandlongcontinuedgustofcheeringfromthedefendersofthecastle,whichmeantthattheyhadclearedtheirfrontoftheassailants.ThesoundofGeneralSmith'svoicewaxedgraduallyfainter,asifhewerebeingcarriedawayagainsthiswillbythetideofretreat.Stillatintervalshecouldbeheard,encouraging,reproving,exhorting,butwithoutthesamegladconfidentringinhistones.

Flagsofredandwhitewerewavedfromtheramparts;pistols(chargedwithpowderonly)werefiredfromembrasures,andtheSmoutchiesrenttheirthroatsinarrogantjubilation.Theythoughtthatthegreatassaulthadfailed.

Butbehindthemintheturret,allunbeknown,theBoundingBrotherssilentlypattedoneanotherwiththeirknucklesasifdesirousofpractisingaffectionategreetingsfortheSmoutchies.

Perhapstheywere;andthen,again,perhapstheyweren't.

*****

"Now'sourtime,"criedBillyBlythe;"comeon,boys.Nowforit!"

Andwithbothhandsandfeethebegantoremovecertainflag-stonesandrecentlyheapedup_débris_fromthemouthofanarrowpassage,

thesamebywhichHughJohnhadmadehisescape.Hismenstoodaroundinastonishmentandslowlydawningadmiration,astheyrealisedthattheirattackwastobeasurprise,themostcompleteandfamousinhistory,andalsoonestrictlydevisedandcarriedoutonthebestmodels.ThoughtherankandfiledidnotknowquitesomuchaboutthatastheirCommander-in-Chief,whowassureinhisheartthatFroissartwouldhavebeengladtowriteabouthiscrowningmercy.

ItisoneoftheproofsofthegenuinenobilityofHughJohn'snature,andalsoofhisconsummategeneralship,thatheputthecarryingoutofthefinal_coup_ofhisgreatschemeintootherhands,consentinghimselftotakethehardknocks,tobemauledanddefeated,inorderthattheroutoftheenemymightbethemorecomplete.

Therubbishbeingatlastsufficientlycleared,Billybenthisheadanddippeddownthesteps.CharlieLeefollowed,andthefourteenwereontheirway.Silentlyandcautiously,asifhehadbeenrelievingahen-roostofitssuperfluousinhabitants,Billycreptalong,testingthefootholdateverystep.Hecametothestairwayuptothedungeon,pausingamoment,tolisten.Therewasagreatpow-wowoverhead.TheSmoutchieswereintheseventhheavenofjubilationovertherepulseoftheenemy.

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graspedthem.Hismateatthefootcastloosefromthefloorandswarmedupasonaladder.Thelivingchainswayedanddangled;butthoughhiswristsachedasiftheywouldpartfromtheirsockets,Billyneverflinched;andfinally,withCharlieLeestretchedacrossthehollowofhiskneestokeepalltautbehind,bymereleverageofmusclehedrewupthelastbrotheruponthedungeonplatform.

Thefourteenlaylookingoverupontheunconsciousenemy.Thelevelofthefloorofthekeepwassixfeetbelow.TheSmoutchiestoamanwereattheirposts.

WithanudgeofhiselbowBillyintimatedthatitwasnotyettimeforthefinalassault.Helistenedwithoneearturnedtowardsthegreatopengateway,tillheheardagaintherallyingshoutofGeneralNapoleonSmith.

"_Nowthen!Readyall!Double-quick!Char-r-r-ge!_"

Withashoutthefirstlanddivision,oncerepulsed,camethesecondtimeatthefoe.TheSmoutchiescrowdedtothegateway,desertingtheirwindowsinordertorepelthedeterminedassaultdeliveredbyHughJohnandhismerrymen.

"Now!"saidBillyBlythesoftly,standinguponthedungeonplatform.

Heglancedabouthim.EveryBoundingBrotherandbaresarkmanofthegipsycamphadthesamesmileonhisface,theboxer'ssmilewhenhegivesortakespunishment.

DownleapedBillyBlythe,andstraightoverthefloorofthekeepforthegreatgatewayhedashed.One,two--one,two!wenthisfists.Thethirteenfollowedhim,andsuchwastheenergyoftheirchargethattheSmoutchies,takencompletelybysurprise,tumbledofftheirplatformsbycompanies,felloverthebrokenstepsbyplatoons,andeventhrewthemselvesintheirpanicintothearmsofHughJohnandhiscorps,whowerecomingonatthedoubleinfront.

Neverwastheresucharoutknowninhistory.TheisolatedSmoutchieswhohadbeenleftinthecastledroppedfromwindowandtowerattheperiloftheirnecksinorderthattheymighthaveachanceofreachingthegroundinsafety.Thentheygatheredthemselvesupandfledhelter-skelterforthebridgewhichledtowardsthetownofEdam.

ButwhatcompletedtheirdemoralisationwasthatatthispsychologicalmomentthethirddivisionunderSirToadyLioncameintoaction.Mr.Burnham,withhiscoat-tailsflying,caughtfirstoneandthenanother,andwhelmedthemontheturf,whilethevaliantbutcherofEdam,havingsecuredhisownoffspringfirmlybythecollar,causedhiscanetodescenduponthathero'sbackandlimbstilltheairwasfilledwiththeresultantmusic.AndthemoreloudlyNipperhowled,

thefasterandfastertheSmoutchiesfled,whiletheshillelahsofthetwogenerals,andthefistsoftheBoundingBrothers,wroughthavocintheirrear.Theflightbecamearout.Thebridgewascoveredwiththefugitives.

TheforcesofWindyStandardtookalltheprisonerstheywanted,andbutcherDonnantookhisson,whoformanydayshadreasontorememberthecircumstance.HewasachangedSmoutchyfromthatday.

Thecampoftheenemy,withallhisartillery,arms,andmilitary

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stores,fellintothehandsofthetriumphantbesiegers.

AttheintercessionofMr.Burnhamtheprisonerswereconditionallyreleased,underparolenevertofightagaininthesamewar--norforthefuturetomeddlewiththeCastleofWindyStandard,theproperty,asHughJohninsistedonputtingit,ofMr.PictonSmith,Esq.,J.P.

ButMr.Burnhamdidwhatwasperhapsmoreefficaciousthananyoaths.Hewentroundtoalltheparents,guardians,teachers,andemployersoftheSmoutchyarmy.Herepresentedthestateofthecasetothem,andthedangerofgettingintotroublewithamansodeterminedandpowerfulasMr.PictonSmith.

ThefistsoftheBoundingBrothers,theswordofGeneralNapoleon,theteethandnailsofSirToadyLion(whosystematicallyharassedtherearofthefleeingenemy)wereasnothingtotheseveralinterviewswhichawaitedtheunfortunateSmoutchiesattheirhomesandplacesofbusinessorlearningthatevening,andonthesucceedingMondaymorning.TheirtortureofGeneralSmithwasamplyavenged.

Thevictoriousarmyremainedinpossessionofthefield,damagedbuthappy.Theirtriumphhadnotbeenachievedwithoutwoundsandbruisesmanifold.SoMr.Burnhamsentforhalf-a-crown'sworthofsticking-plaster,andanotherhalf-crown'sworthofripegooseberries.

WhereuponthethreedivisionswithonevoicecheeredMr.Burnham,andToadyLionputhishandonthesacredsilkwaistcoat,andsaidinhismostpeculiarToady-leoninegrammar,"'Ooisabwick.Uslikes'oo!"

WhichMr.Burnhamfeltwas,attheveryleast,equivalenttothethanksofParliamentfordistinguishedservice.

Itwasaveryhappy,averyhungry,averysticky,andaverypatchyarmywhichapproachedthehouseofWindyStandardatsixo'clockthatnight,andwaspromptlysentsupperlesstobed.

HughJohnpartedwithCissyatthestepping-stones.Hereyesdwelt

proudlyandhappilyuponhim.

"Youfoughtsplendidly,"shesaid.

"Weallfoughtsplendidly,"repliedHughJohn,withanodofapprovalwhichwentstraighttoCissy'sheart,sothatthetearssprangintohereyes.

"Oh,you_are_anicething,HughJohn!"shecriedimpulsively,reachingoutherhandstoclasphisarm.

"No,I'mnot!"saidHughJohn,startledandapprehensive.Thenwithoutwaitingformoreheturnedhastilyaway.

ButallthesameCissyCarterwasveryhappythatnightasshewenthomeward,anddidnotspeakorevenlistenwhenSammyaddressedherseveraltimesbythewayuponthedangersofwarandthefollyoflove.

CHAPTERXXXV.

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PRISSY'SCOMPROMISE.

Aftertheturmoilandexcitementofthenotablyadventurousdayswhichendedwiththecaptureofthecastle,thesucceedingweeksdraggedstrangely.Theholidaysweredwindlingasquicklyasthelastgrainsofsandinanhourglass,andtherewasanuneasyfeelingintheairthattheendofoldandthebeginningofnewthingswerealikeathand.

Mr.PictonSmithreturnedfromLondonthedayafterthegreatbattle.ThatafternoonhewasclosetedforalongtimewithMr.Burnham,butnoteventheventuresomeSirToadyLiononhishandsandknees,couldoverhearwhatthetwogentlemenhadtosaytoeachother.AtalleventsMr.Smithdidnotthistimeattempttoforceanyconfessionfromtheactivecombatants.Hisfailureonaformeroccasionhadbeencompleteenough,andhehadnodesireoncemoretoconfesshimselfworstedbyHughJohn'sdeterminationtoabjureallthatsavouredevenremotelyofthe"dasht-mean."

ButitiscertainthattheSmoutchyringleaderswerenotfurtherpunished,andMr.Smithtooknostepstoenforcetheinterdictwhichhehadobtainedagainsttrespassersonthecastleisland.

ForitwasaboutthistimethatPrissy,havingtakenagreatdealoftroubletounderstandallthebearingsofthecase,atlast,withabraveheart,wentandknockedatherfather'sstudydoor.

"Comein,"saidthedeepgravevoiceinstantly,sendingathrillthroughthecloseddoor,whichmadehertrembleandratherwishthatshehadnotcome.

"SaintCatherineofSienawouldnothavebeenafraid,"shemurmuredtoherself,andforthwithopenedthedoor.

"Well,littlegirl,whatisit?WhatcanIdoforyou?"saidher

father,smilinguponher;forhehadheardofherambassadorialpicnictotheSmoutchies,andperhapshisdaughter'strustfulgentlenesshadmadehimalittleashamedofhisownseverity.

Prissystoodnervingherselftospeakthewordswhichwereinherheart.ShehadseenPeaceandkindlyConcordblesshermissionfromafar;andnow,likePaulbeforeKingAgrippa,shewouldnotbeunfaithfultotheheavenlyvision.

"Father,"shesaidatlast,"youdon'treallywanttokeeppeopleoutofthecastlealtogether,doyou?"

"Certainlynot,iftheybehavethemselves,"saidherfather,"butthe

mischiefisthattheydon't."

"Butsuppose,father,thattherewassomeonealwaystheretoseethattheydidbehave,wouldyoumind?"

"Ofcoursenot,"repliedherfather,"butyouknow,Prissy,Ican'taffordtokeepamandownontheislandtoseethatsixpennytrippersdon'tpulldownmycastlestonebystone,orbreaktheirownnecksbyfallingintothedungeon."

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Prissythoughtalittlewhile,andthentriedanewtack.

"Father"--shewentalittlenearertohimandstrokedthecuffofhiscoat-sleeve--"doesthelandbeyondthebridgebelongtoyou?"

Mr.PictonSmithmovedawayhishand.Hermotherusedtodojustthat,andsomehowthememoryhurt.Nevertheless,allunconsciously,thetouchofthechild'shandsoftenedhim.

"No,Prissy,"hesaidwonderingly,"butwhatdoyouknowaboutsuchthings?"

"Nothingatall,"sheanswered,"butIamtryingtolearn.Iwanteverybodytoloveyou,andthinkyouasniceasIknowyoutobe.Don'tyouthinkyoucouldletsomeoneyouknewverywellliveinthelittlelodgebythewhitebridge,andkeepoutthehorridpeople,orseethattheybehavedthemselves?"

"Thetownwouldneveragreetothat,"saidherfather,notseeingwherehewasbeingled.

"Don'tyouthinkthetown'speoplewouldifyougavethemthesixpencesallforthemselves?"

HerfatherpushedbackhischairingreatastonishmentandlookedatPrissy.

"Littlegirl,"hesaidverygravely,"whohasbeenputtingallthisintoyourhead?Hasanybodytoldyoutocometomeaboutthis?"

Prissyshookherheadquickly,thenshelookeddownasifembarrassed.

"Well,whatisit?Goon!"saidherfather,butthewordsweremoresoftlyspokenthanyouwouldthinkonlytoseethemprinted.

"Nobodytoldmeaboutanything--Ijustthoughtaboutitallmyself,father,"sheanswered,takingcouragefromacertainlookinMr.

Smith'seyes;"onceIheardyousaythatthemoneywaswhatthetown's-peoplecaredabout.And--and--well,IknewthatJaneHousemaidwantedtogetmarriedtoTomCannon,andyouseetheycan't,becauseTomhasnotenoughwagestotakeahouse."

Prissywasspeakingveryfastnow,rattlingoutthewordssoastobefinishedbeforeherfathercouldinterposewithanygrown-upquestionsorobjections.

"AndyouknowIrememberedlastnightwhenIwaslyingawakethatCatherinewouldhavedonethis----"

"WhatCatherine?"saidherfather,whodidnotalwaysfollowhis

daughter'sreasoning.

"SaintCatherineofSiena,ofcourse,"saidPrissy,forwhomtherewasnootherofthename;"soIcametoyou,andIwantyoutoletTomandJanehavethecottage,andJanecantakeupthesixpencesinalittlebrassplateliketheoneMr.BurnhamgetsfromthechurchwardensonSunday.And,oh!butIwouldjustlovetohelpher.MayIsometimes,father?"

"Well,"saidherfather,laughing,"thereisperhapssomethinginwhat

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yousay;butIdon'tthinktheProvostandMagistrateswouldeveragree.Nowrunawayandplay,andIwillseewhatcanbedone."

*****

ButallthesamePrissydidnotgoandplay,anditwasnotMr.PictonSmithwhosawwhatcouldbedone.OntheafternoonofthesamedaytheProvostofthegoodtownofEdamenteredtheCouncilChamberwipinghisfaceandpantingvigorously.Hewasastoutmanofmuchgoodhumourwhennotcrossedintemper,theleadingchemistanddruggistinthetown,andastheproprietorofmorehousesandlesseducationthananymaninEdam,ofverygreatinfluenceamongthecouncillors.

"Well,billies,"hecriedjovially,"whatdoyouthink?There'salasshaskeep'dmefromthemeetin'ofthiscouncilforafullhalf-hour."

"Alass!"answeredtheseniorbailie,stillmorehilariously,"that'ssurelylessthanproper.IwillbecompelledtoinformMrs.Lamontofthefact."

"Oh,itwasalassieoftwelveorthirteen,"answeredtheProvost."Sononeofyourinsinuations,BailieTawse,andI'llthankyou.Shehadamostastonishingtaletotell.ItappearssheisPictonSmith'slassiefromWindyStandard;andshesaystome,saysshe,'Provost,do

youwanttohavethetouristfolkthatcometoEdamadmittedtothecastle?'saysshe.'Ofcourse,'saysI,'thatiswhatthelaw-pleaisabout.Thatdustisnosettledyet.''Then,'saysshe,briskasifshewashiringmeatYedamfair,'supposemyfatherwaswillingtoletyechargeasixpenceforadmission,wouldyoupayacapablemanhiswagessummerandwintertolookafterit--amanthatmyfatherwouldapproveof?''Aye,'saysI,'thecouncilwouldbeblytheandproudtodothat'--methinkingofmysister'ssonPeterthatwasinjuredbyalamp-postfallingagainsthimlastNewYear'snightashewascominghamefraetheBlueBell.'Then,'saysshe,'Ithinkitcanbemanaged.MyfatherwillputTomCannoninthelodgeatthewhitebridge.Youwillpayhimtenshillingsintheweekforhiswifelookingafterthegateandtakingthepartiesoverthecastle.''Hiswife,'saysI;'Tom

isnomarriedthateverIheard.''No,'saysshe,'buthewillbeveryquickifhegetsthelodge.'ThenIthochtthatsomebodyhadputheruptoallthis,andIquestionedhertightly.Butno--certes,sheisacleverlass.IverilybelieveifIhadsaidthewordshewouldhaecomedalongheretothecouncilmeetingandfacedthepacko'ye.ButIsaidtoherthatshemightgangherwayshame,andthatIwouldputthematterbeforethecouncilmysel'!"

[Illustration:"'THEN,'SAIDPRISSY,'ITHINKITCANBEMANAGED.'"]

TheProvost,whohadbeenwalkingupanddownallthetimeandwipinghisbrow,finallyplumpedsolidlyintohischair.Therewasamightydiscussion--inwhich,asusual,manyepithetswerebandiedabout;but

finallyitwasunanimouslyagreedthat,iftheofferwereputonafirmandlegalbasisandtheinterdictwithdrawn,the"Smith'sLassie"compromise,asitwascalledforbrevity,mightbenonesuchabadsolutionofthedifficultyforallparties.

Thusbythewisethoughtandbraveheartofagirlwasthegreatcontroversyended.Andnowthetouristandholiday-maker,eachafterhiskind,passeshissixpenceintotheslotofaclickinggate,insteadofdepositingitinthebrazenoffertorysalver,whichhadbeenthedesireofPrissy'sheart.

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"For,"saidoneofthecouncillorsgenerously,whentheplatewasproposed,"howdoweknowthatMrs.Cannonmightnotkeepeverysecondsixpenceforherself--ormaybesendituptoMr.Smith?Weallknowthatshewaslongaservantinhishouse.No,no,honestyishonesty--butit'sbetterwhenwelllookedafter.Letushaveapatent'clicker.'Ihaveusedoneattachedtomytillforyears,andfounditofgreatutilityinthebacon-and-hamtrade."

ButthechangemadenodifferencetoHughJohnandnodifferencetoToadyLion;fortheycameandwenttothecastlebythestepping-stones,andCissyCartertookthatwaytoo,leapingasnimblyasanyofthemfromstonetostone.

OntheSundayafterthiswasfinallyarranged,Mr.Burnhamgaveouthistext:--

"Blessedarethepeacemakers,fortheyshallbecalledthechildrenofGod."

Andthisisthewayheendedhissermon:"Thereisonehereto-daywhomImightwithoutoffenceorflatterycallatruechildofGod.Iwillnotsaywhothatis;butthisIwillsay,thatI,forone,wouldratherbesuchapeacemaker,andhavearighttobecalledbythat

othername,thanbegeneralofthegreatestarmyintheworld."

"IthinkhemustmeantheProvost--orelsemyfather,"saidPrissytoherself,lookingreverentlyuptowhere,inthefrontrowoftheupperseats,thelocalchiefmagistratesat,moppinghisheadwitharedspottedhandkerchief,andsunninghimselfinthesomewhatsultrybeamsofhisowngreatness.

AsforHughJohn,hedeclaredthatforamanwhocouldrowinacollegeboat,andwhoworshippedanoldbluecoathungupinaglasscase,Mr.Burnhamsaidmoredrivellingthingsthananymanaliveordead.

AndToadyLionsaidnothing.Hewasonlywonderingallthroughtheservicewhetherhecouldcatchaflywithouthisfatherseeinghim.--Hefoundthathecouldnot.Afterthisfailureherememberedthathehadabrandyballonlyhalfsuckedinhislefttrousers'pocket.Hegotitoutwithsomedifficulty.Ithadstuckfasttotheseams,andfinallycameawaysomewhatmixedupwithtwine,sealingwax,andalittlebitofpitchwrappedinleather.Butassoonashegotdowntoitthebrandyballproveditselfthoroughlysatisfactory,andthevariousflavoursdevelopedintheprocessofsuckingkeptToadyLionawaketilltheblessed"Amen"releasedtheblack-coatedthrong.

ToadyLion'sgratitudewasalmostanentirethanksgivingserviceof

itself.

Ashecameoutthroughthecrowdedporch,heputhishandintohisfather's,andwithaportentousyawnpipedoutinhisshrillestvoice,"Oh,Iissotired."

ThesmilewhichranroundthelateworshippersshowedthatToadyLionhadvoicedthesentimentsofmanyofMr.Burnham'scongregation.

AtthismomentMr.Burnhamhimselfcameoutofthevestryjustintime

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toheartheboy'sfrankexpressionofopinion.

"Nevermind,ToadyLion,"hesaidgenially,"thetruthis,Iwasalittletiredmyselfto-day.IpromisenottokeepyouquitesolongnextSundaymorning.YoumustremindmeifItransgress.Nobodywill,ifyoudon't,ToadyLion."

"Doanknowwhat'twansguess'is--butshallcalloutloudifyougoesontoolong--tellingoutsermonsandtextisesandfings."

AstheywalkedalongtheHighStreetofEdam,PrissyglancedreverentlyattheProvost.

"Oh,IwishIcouldhavebeenapeacemakertoo,likehim,"shesighed,"andthenMr.Burnhammighthavepreachedaboutme.PerhapsIwillwhenIgrowup."

FornexttoSaintCatherineofSiena,theProvostwasheridealofapeacemaker.

Astheywalkedhomeward,Mr.BurnhamcameandtouchedPrissyontheshoulder.

"Moneycannotbuylove,"hesaid,somewhatsententiously,"butyou,my

dear,winitbylovingactions."

HeturnedtoToadyLion,whowastrottingalongsomewhatsulkily,holdinghissister'shand,andgrumblingbecausehewasnotallowedtochasebutterfliesonSunday.

"ArthurGeorge,"saidMr.Burnham,"ifanybodywastogiveyouapieceofmoneyandsay,'Willyoulovemeforhalf-a-crown,'youcouldn'tdoit,couldyou?"

"Couldjust,though!"contradictedToadyLionflatly,kickingatthestonesonthehighway.

"Ohno,"hisinstructorsuavelyexplained,"ifitwereabadpersonwhoaskedyoutolovehim,youwouldn'tlovehimforhalf-a-crown,surely!"

ToadyLionturnedthematterover.

"Well,"hesaid,speakingslowlyasifhewerethinkinghardbetweenthewords,"itmighthavetobefivesillin'sifhewas_very_bad!"

CHAPTERXXXVI.

HUGHJOHN'SWAY-GOING.

ThesecretwhichhadoppressedsocietyafterthereturnofMr.PictonSmithfromLondon,beingrevealed,wasthatHughJohnandSammyCarterwerebothtogotoschool.Forawhileitappearedasifthefoundationsoftheworldhadbeenundercut--thefamousfellowshipofnobleknightsdisbanded,PrissyandCissy,ministeringangelandwildtomboy,alikeabandonedtothetendermerciesofmeregovernesses.

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StrangestofalltoPrissywastheindubitablefactthatHughJohnwantedtogo.Attheveryfirstmentionofschoolhepromptlyforgotallabouthisnoblestmilitaryambitions,andbeganoilinghiscricketbatandkickinghisfootballalloverthegreen.Mr.Burnhamwasanxiousabouthispupil'sLatinandmorethandoubtfulabouthisVulgarFractions;buttheGeneralhimselfwaschieflybentonimprovinghisroundarmbowling,andgettingthatbreakfromtheleftdowntoafinepoint.

Everymemberofthehouseholdwasmoreorlessdisturbedbythecomingexodus--exceptSirToadyLion.Onthelastfatefulmorningthatself-containedyouthmaunderedaboutasusualamonghispets,carryingtoandfrosaucersofmilk,dandelionleavescutsmall,andotherdainties--thoughHughJohn'sboxeswerestandingcordedandlabelledinthehall,thoughPrissywascryingherselfsickonherbed,andthoughtherewasevenadryhardlumphighupinthegreathero'sownmanlythroat.

Hisfatherwasgivinghispartinginstructionstohiseldestson.

"Workhard,myboy,"hesaid."Tellthetruth,nevertelltales,noryetlistentothem.Mindyourownbusiness.Don'tfight,ifyoucanhelpit;butifyouhaveto,besureyougethomewithyourleft

beforetheotherfellow.Practiseyourbowling,thebattingwillpractiseitself.Andwhenyouplaygolf,keepyoureyeontheball."

"I'lltrytoplayup,father,"saidHughJohn,"andanywayIwon'tbe'dasht-mean'!"

Hisfatherwassatisfied.

ThenitwasPrissywhocametosaygood-bye.Shehadmadeallsortsofgoodresolutions,butinlessthanhalfaminuteshewasbawlingundisguisedlyonthehero'sneck.Andasforthehero--well,wewillnotsaywhathewasdoing,somethingmostparticularlyunheroicatanyrate.

JanetSheepshankshoveredinthebackground,sayingallthetime,"Forshame,MissPriscilla,thinkshameo'yoursel'--garringtheladdiegreetlikethatwhenhe'sgaunawa'!"

ButevenJanetherselfwasobservedtoblowherownnoseveryoften,andtoofferHughJohnthesmallgardenhoeinsteadoftheneatlywrappednewsilkumbrellashehadboughtforhimoutofherownmoney.

AndallthewhileSirToadyLionkeptoncarryingmilkandfreshlettuceleavestohisstupidlop-earedrabbits.Yetitwasbynomeansinsensibilitywhichkepthimthusbusied.Hewasonlyplayinghisusuallonehand.

YetevenToadyLionwasnotwithouthisownpropersenseoftheimportanceoftheoccasion.

"There'safunnyfing'atyouwantstoseeatthestilebehindthestable,"heremarkedcasuallytoHughJohn,ashewentpastthefrontdoorwithanarmfulofhayforbedding,"butIpromisednottotellw'atitis."

ImmediatelyHughJohnslunkout,ranoffinanentirelydifferent

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direction,circledaboutthe"officehouses,"reachedthestilebehindthestable--andthere,withhereyesverybig,andherunderlipquiveringstrangely,hediscoveredCissyCarter.

Hestoppedshortandlookedather.Thepressureofhavingtosayfarewell,orofmakingastatedspeechofanykind,weighedheavilyuponhim.Thetwolookedateachotherlikeyoungwildanimals--orasiftheywerechildrenwhohadneverbeenintroduced,whichisthesamething.

"HughJohnPicton,youdon'tcare!"sobbedCissyatlast."AndIdon'tcareeither!"sheaddedhaughtily,commandingherselfafterapatheticlittlepause.

"Ido,Ido,"answeredHughJohnvehemently,"onlyeveryfellowhasto.Sammyisgoingtoo,youknow!"

"Oh,Idon'tcareabuttonforSammy!"wasCissy'smostunsisterlyspeech.

HughJohntriedtothinkofsomethingtosay.Cissywasnowsobbingquietlyandpersistently,andthatdidnotseemtohelphim.

"Say,don'tnow,Ciss!Stopit,oryou'llmakemecrytoo!"

"Youdon'tcare!Youdon'tlovemeabit!Youknowyoudon't!"

"Ido--Ido,"protestedthehero,indespair,"there--there--_now_youcan'tsayIdon'tcare."

"Butyou'llbesodifferentwhenyoucomeback,andyou'llhavelostyourhalfofthecrookedsixpence."

"Iwon't,fortrue,Cissy--andIshan'teverlookatanothergirlnorplayhorseswiththemeveniftheyaskmeeverso."

"Youwill,Iknowyouwill!"

Arumbleofwheels,ashoutfromthefrontdoor--"HughJohn--wherevercanthatboyhavegotto?"

"Good-bye,Ciss,Imustgo.Ohhangit,don'tgomakingafellowcry.Well,I_will_sayitthen,'Iloveyou,Ciss!'There--willthatsatisfyyou?"

[Illustration:"ASLIMBUNDLEOFLIMPWOE."]

SomethinglitontheendofCissy'snose,whichwasveryredandwetwiththetearsthathadrundownit.Therewasaclatteroffeet,andtheLordofCreationhaddeparted.Cissysankdownbehindthestone

wall,aslimbundleoflimpwoe,doneupinbluesergetrimmedwithscarlet.

Theservantsweregatheredinthehall.Severalofthemaidswerealreadywet-eyed,forHughJohnhad"thewaywithhim"thatmadeallwomenwantto"mother"him.Besides,hehadnomotherofhisown.

"Good-bye,MasterHugh!"theysaid,andsniffedastheysaidit.

"Good-bye,everybody,"criedthehero,"soonbebackagain,youknow."

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Hesaidthisveryloudlytoshowthathedidnotcare.HewasgoingdownthestepswithPrissy'sfingersclutchedinhis,andeveryonewassmiling.Allwentmerryasamarriagebell--neverhadbeenseensojovialaway-going.

"_Ugh--ugh--ugh!_"somebodyinthehallsuddenlysobbedoutfromamongthewhitecapsofthemaids.

"Goupstairsinstantly,Jane.Don'tdisgraceyourself!"criedJanetSheepshankssharply,stampingherfoot.ForthesoundofJane'ssuddenandshamefulcollapsesenttheothermaids'apronsfurtivelyuptotheireyes.

AndJanetSheepshankshadnoapron.Notthatsheneededone--ofcoursenot.

"Comeon,HughJohn--thetimeisup!"saidhisfatherfromthesideofthedog-cart,where(somewhatostentatiously)hehadbeenrefasteningstrapswhichMikehadalreadydonetoanicety.

AtthismomentToadyLionpassedwithhalfadozenlettuceleaves.Hewasnomoreexcited"thannothingatall,"asPrissyindignantlysaidafterwards.

"Good-bye,ToadyLion,"saidHughJohn,"youcanhavemyotherbatandthewhiteratwiththepinkeyes."

ToadyLionstoodwiththelettuceleavesinhisarms,lookingoninaboredsortofway.Prissycouldhaveslappedhimifherhandshadnotbeenotherwiseemployed.

Hedidnotsayawordtillhisbrotherwasperchedupaloftonthedog-cartwithhiscricketbatnursedbetweenhiskneesandanewhard-hatpulledpainfullyoverhiseyes.ThenatlastToadyLionspoke."Did'oofindthefunnyfingbehindthestable,HughJohn?"

BeforeHughJohnhadtimetoreply,thedog-cartdroveawayamidsharp

explosionsofgrieffromthewhite-cappedthrong.JaneHousemaiddrippedsympathyfromafirst-floorwindowtillthegravelwaswetasfromasmartshower.ToadyLionalonestoodonthestepswithhisusualexpressionofboredcalmness.ThenheturnedtoPrissy.

"Whyis'oosomoppy?"

"Oh,yougoaway--you'vegotnoheart!"saidPrissy,andresumedherluxuryofwoe.

IfToadyLionhadbeenaGallicboy,weshouldhavesaidthatheshruggedhisshoulders.Atallevents,hesmiledcovertlytothelettucesashemovedoffinthedirectionoftherabbit-hutches.

"Itwasa_very_funnyfingw'atwasbehindthestable,"hesaid.ForSirToadyLionwasahumorist.Andyoucan'tbeahumoristwithoutbeingalittlehard-hearted.Onlytheheartofaprofessionalwriterofpathoscanbeonedegreeharder.

CHAPTERXXXVII.

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THEGOODCONDUCTPRIZE.

Itwasthreeyearsafter.Sometimesthreeyearsmakesaconsiderablechangeingrown-ups.Moreoftenitleavesthemprettymuchwheretheywere.Butwithboysandgirlstheworldbeginsalloveragaineverytwoyearsatmost.Sothetermswentandcame,andateachvacation,insteadofreturninghome,HughJohnwenttoLondon.ForitsohappenedthattheyearhehadleftforschoolthehouseofWindyStandardwasburneddownalmosttotheground,andMr.PictonSmithtookadvantageofthefacttobuildanentirelynewmansiononasomewhathighersite.

ThefirsthousemighthavebeensavedhadtheBoundingBrothersbeenintheneighbourhood,orindeedanyactiveandefficienthelpers.ButthenearestenginewasunderthecareoftheEdamfirebrigade,whouponhearingoftheconflagration,withgreatenthusiasmrantheirengineaquarterofamileoutofthetownbyhand.Thentheirardoursuddenlygivingout,theysatdownandhadanamicablesmokeontheroadsidetillthehorsewasbroughttodragtheapparatustherestofthedistance.

Butalas!theanimalwastoofattobegotbetweentheshafts,soit

hadtobesentbackandaleanerhorseforwarded.MeantimethehouseofWindyStandardwasblazingmerrily,andwhentheEdamfirecompanyfinallyarrived,theasheswerestillquitehot.

*****

SointhiswayitcameaboutthatitwasthreelongyearsbeforeHughJohnagainsawthehoarybattlementsoftheancientstrengthonthecastleislandwhichheandhisarmyhadattackedsoboldly.Thereweregreatchangesinthetownitself.TherailwayhadcometoEdam,andnowsteamedandsnortedundertheverywallsoftheAbbey.Chimneyshadmultiplied,andthesmokecolumnsweretalleranddenser.TherubicundProvosthadgonethewayofalltheearth,evenofall

provosts!Andtheleadingbailie,oneDonnan,abutcherandarmycontractor,satwithsomethinglessofdignitybutequalefficiencyinhismagisterialchair.

HughJohnfromthestationplatformsawsomethingofthiswithasickheart,buthewassurethatoutinthepureairandinfinitequietofWindyStandardhewouldfindallthingsthesame.Butanewandfinerhouseshonewhiteuponthehill.Gardensflourishedonunexpectedplaceswiththatappearanceofhavingbeenrecentlyplanted,frequentlypulledupbytheroots,lookedatandputback,whichdistinguishesallnewgardens.Hereandtherewhite-paintedvineriesandconservatorieswinkedostentatiouslyinthesun.

WhatatimeHughJohnhadbeenplanningtheywouldhave!Formonthshehadthoughtofnothingbutthis.ToadyLionandhewoulddoalloveragainthosefamousdeedsofdaringhehaddoneatthecastle.Againtheywouldattacktheisland.Othersecretpassageswouldbediscovered.Allwouldbeasithadbeen--onlynicer.AndCissyCarter--morethaneverythingelsehehadlookedforwardtomeetingCissy.Prissyhadseenheroften,andevenduringthelastweekshehadwrittentoHughJohn(Prissyalwaysdidliketowriteletters)thatCissyCarterwasjustsplendid--somucholderand_so_improved.Cissywasnownearlyseventeen,being(asbefore)ayearandthree

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monthsolderthanHughJohn.

Nowthedistinguishedmilitaryherohadnotbeenmuchtroubledwithsentimentduringhisschoolterms.Soldiersatthefrontneverare.Hewasfullyoccupiedindoinghislessonsfairly.Hegotonwellwith"thefellows."Hewasanxioustokeepuphisendinthegames.But,forallthat,duringtheseyearshehadsacredlykeptthehalfofthecrookedsixpenceinhisbox,hiddenintheendofatiewhichheneverwore.Now,however,hehadlookeditout,andbydintofhammeringhisimagination,hehadmanagedtosqueezeoutanamountoffeelingwhichquiteastonishedhimself.

Hewouldbenoble,generous,forbearing.HerememberedhowfaithfullyCissyhadlovedhim,andhowunresponsivehehadbeeninthepast.Heresolvedthatallwouldbeverydifferentnow.

Itwas.

ThenagainhehadbroughtbackarecordofsomedistinctionfromSt.Salvator's.Hehadwontheschoolgolfchampionship.Hepossessedalsoafinebatwithaninscriptiononsilver,tellinghowinthematchwithSt.Aiden's,arivalcollegeofmuchpretension,hehadmade100notout,andtakeneightwicketsforsixty-nine.

BesidesthispresentationcricketbatHughJohnhadbroughthomeonlyoneotherprize.Thiswasafitteddressing-bagofbeautifuldesign,withawholearmouryofwonderfulsilver-platedthingsinside.ItwasknownastheGoodConductPrize,andwasawardedeveryyear,notbythemasters,butbythefreevotesofalltheboys.Prissywasenormouslyproudofthistributepaidtoherbrotherbyhiscompanions.Thedonorwasanoldgentlemanwhosefavouritehobbywasthepromotionofthefinermannersoftheancientdays,andthetermsoftheremitonwhichtheawardmustbemadewere,thatitshouldbegiventotheboywho,intheopinionofhisfellow-students,wasmostdistinguishedforconsistentgoodmannersandpolitebreeding,shownbothbyhisconducttohissuperiorsinschool,andinassociationwithhisequalsintheplayingfields.

AtfirstHughJohnhadtakennointerestwhateverinthisaward,perhapsfromafeelingthathisownclaimsweresomewhatslender--orthinkingthattheprizewouldmerelybesome"oldbookorother."Butithappenedthat,inordertostimulatetheschoolduringthelastlaxandsluggishdaysofthesummerterm,thehead-mastertookoutthefittingsofthedressing-bag,andsetthestandcontainingthemonhisdeskinviewofall.

Therewasasetofrazorsamongthem.

InstantlyHughJohn'sheartyearnedwithamightydesiretoobtainthatprize.Howsplendiditwouldbeifhecouldappearathomebefore

ToadyLionandCissyCarterwithamoustache!

Thatnightheconsideredthematterfromallpointsofview--andfelthismuscles.Inthemorninghewasdownbrightandearly.Heprowledaboutthepurlieusoftheplayground.AtthebackofthegymnasiumhemetAshwellMajor.

"Isay,AshwellMajor,"hesaid,"aboutthatGoodConductPrize--whoareyougoingtovotefor?"

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"Well,"repliedAshwellMajor,"Ihaven'tthoughtmuch--IsupposeSammyCarter."

"Oh,humbug!"criedourhero;"seehere,Sammywillgettonsofprizesanyway.Whatdoeshewantwiththatonetoo?"

"Well,"saidtheother,"let'sgiveittolittleBrown.Butterwouldn'tmeltinhismouth.He'ssuchacake."

HughJohnfeltthatthetimeformoralsuasionhadcome.

"Smellthat!"hesaid,suddenlyextendingtheclenchedfistwithwhichaweekbeforehehadmade"branmash"ofthebullyoftheschool.

[Illustration:"SMELLTHAT!"]

ReluctantlyAshwellMajor'snostrilsinhaledthebouquetofHughJohn'sknuckles.AshwellMajorseemedtohaveadaintyanddiscriminatingtasteinperfumes,forhedidnotappeartorelishthisone.

ThenAshwellMajorsaidthatnowhewasgoingtovotesolidlyforHughJohnSmith.Hehadcometotheconclusionthathismannerswerequiteexceptional.

Andsoasthedaywenton,didthecandidateforthefitteddressing-bagarguewiththeotherboarders,waylayingthemonebyoneastheycameoutintotheplayground.Theday-boysfollowed,andeachenjoyedtheprivilegeofasmellatthefistofpower.

*****

"IrejoicetoannouncethattheGoodConductPrizehasbeenawardedbytheunanimousvoteofallthescholarsofSaintSalvator'stoHughJohnPictonSmithofthefifthform.Iamthemorepleasedwiththisresult,thatIhaveneverbeforeknownsuchcompleteandremarkableunanimityofchoiceinthelonganddistinguishedhistoryofthis

institution."

Thesewerethememorablewordsoftheheadmasteronthegreatdayoftheprize-giving.Whereuponourhero,goinguptoreceivehiswell-earneddistinction,blushedmodestlyandbecomingly;andwasgazeduponwithwraptwonderbythematronsandmaidsassembled,asbeyondcontroversythemodelboyoftheschool.AndsuchaburstofcheeringfollowedhimtohisseatashadneverbeenheardwithinthewallsofSt.Salvator's.ForquitecasuallyHughJohnhadmentionedthathewouldbeonthelook-outforanyfellowthatwasasneakanddidn'tcheerlikeblazes.

*****

MORAL.--_Thereisnomoraltothischapter._

CHAPTERXXXVIII.

HUGHJOHN'SBLIGHTEDHEART.

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OnthefirsteveningathomeHughJohnputonhisnewstrawhatwithitsbecomingschoolribbonofbrown,whiteandblue,forhedidnotforgetthatPrissyhaddescribedCissyCarteras"suchaprettygirl."Nowprettygirlsarequitenicewhentheyarejolly.Whataromphewouldhave,andeventhestilewouldnotbehalfbad.

Herandowntothelanding-stage,havinggivenhisoldbatandthirdbestfishing-rodtohisbrothertooccupyhisattention.ToadyLionwasinanunusuallyadoringframeofmind,chieflyowingtothenewbatwiththesilverinscriptionwhichHughJohnhadbroughthomewithhim.IfthatwereToadyLion'sattitude,howwoulditbewiththeenthusiasticCissyCarter?Shemustbemorethansixteennow.Helikedgrown-upgirls,hethought,solongastheywerepretty.AndCissywaspretty,Prissyhaddistinctlysaidso.

Thewhitepuntbumpedagainstthelanding-stage,butthebrownwasgone.However,hecouldseeitattheotherside,swayingagainstthenewpierwhichMr.DavenantCarterhadbuiltoppositetothatofWindyStandard.Thiswasanotherimprovement;youusedtohavetotietheboattoabushofbog-myrtleandjumpintowetsquashyground.Thereturnedexilesculledoverandtiedupthepunttoanironring.

Thenwithahighandjoyoushearthestartedoverthemoor,takingthe

well-beatenpathtowardsOaklands.

Suddenly,throughthewoodasitgrewthinnerandmorebirchy,hesawthegleamofawhitedress.Twogirlswerewalking--no,nottwogirls,Prissyandayounglady.

"Ohhang!"saidHughJohntohimself,"somebodythat'sstoppingwiththeCarters.She'llgotakingupallCissy'stime,andIwantedtoseesuchalotofher."

Thewhitedressesandsummerhatswalkedcomposedlyon.

"Itellyouwhat,"saidHughJohntohimself,"I'llscootthroughthe

woodsandgivethemasurprise."

Andinfiveminutesheleapedfromabankintotheroadimmediatelybeforethegirls.Prissygavealittlescream,threwupherhands,andthenraneagerlytohim.

"Why,HughJohn,"shecried,"haveyoureallycome?Howcouldyoufrightenuslikethat,youbadboy!"

Andshekissedhim--well,justasPrissyalwaysdid.

Meanwhiletheyoungladyhadturnedpartlyaway,andwaspullingcarelesslyataleaf--asifsuchproceedings,ifnotexactly

offensive,wereneverthelesshighlyuninteresting.

"Cissy,"calledPriscillaatlast,"won'tyoucomeandshakehandswithHughJohn."

Thegirlturnedslowly.Shewasrobedinwhitelinenbeltedwithslimscarlet.Thedresscamequitedowntothetopsofherdaintyboots.Sheheldoutherhand.

"Howdoyoudo--ah,Mr.Smith?"shesaid,withherfingersverymuch

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extendedindeed.

HughJohngasped,andforalongmomentfoundnowordtosay.

"Why,Cissy,howyou'vegrown!"hecriedatlength.Butobservingnogleamoffellow-feelinginhisquondamcomrade'seyes,headdedsomewhatlamely,"Imeanhowdoyoudo,Miss--MissCarter?"

Therewassilenceafterthis,asthethreewalkedontogether,Prissytalkingvaliantlyinordertocoverthelonganddistressfulsilences.HughJohn'susualbubblingriverofspeechwasfrozenuponhislips.Hehadathousandthingstotell,athousandthousandtoask.Butnowitdidnotseemworthwhiletospeakofone.Whyshouldayoungladylikethis,withtangloveshalf-waytoherelbowsandtheshiniestshoes,withstockingsofblacksilkstripedwithred,caretohearabouthiswonderfulbatforthethree-figurescoreatcricket,orthefactthathehadwonthegolfmedalbydoingtheroundinninety-five?Hehadeventhoughtoftakingsomecredit(girlswillsuckinanythingyoutellthem,youknow)forhisplaceinhisclass,whichwasseventh.ButhehadintendedtosuppressthefactthatthefifthformwasnotaverylargeoneatSt.Salvator's.

ButnowhesuddenlybecameconsciousthatthesetrivialitiescouldnotpossiblyinterestayoungladywhotalkedabouttheHuntBallinsome

suchfashionasthis:"Heis_such_anicepartner,don'tyouknow!Hedances--oh,likeanangel,andthefloorwas--well,justperfection!"

HughJohndidnotcatchthenameofthisparagon;buthehatedthebeastanyhow.HedidnotknowthatCissywasonlybraggingaboutherbat,andcrackingupherscoreatgolf.

"Haveyouseen'TheWhiteLadyofAvenel'attheSobrietyTheatre,Mr.Smith?"shesaid,suddenlyturningtohim.

"No,"gruntedHughJohn,"butI'veseentheDruryLanepantomime.Itwasprime!"

Thenextmomenthewassorryhehadsaidit.Butthetruthslippedoutbeforeheknew.ForsolittlewasHughJohnusedtothesocietyofgrown-upbiggirls,thathedidnotknowanybetterthantotellthemthetruth.

"Ah,yes!"commentedCissyCartercondescendingly,"IusedquitetolikegoingtopantomimeswhenIwasachild!"

Aslightandelegantyoungman,withacurlingmoustacheturnedupattheends,cametowardsthemdownthebank.Hehadgrey-and-whitestripedtrouserson,adarkcutawaycoat,andasmartstrawhatsetonthebackofhishead.Heworeglovesandwalkedwithaprettycane.HughJohnloathedhimonsight.

"Good-evening,Courtenay,"saidCissyfamiliarly,"thisismyfriend,PrissySmith,ofwhomyouhaveheardmespeak;andthisisherbrotherjusthomefromschool!"

("Whatabeast!Ihatehim!Callsthatamoustache,Idaresay.Ha,ha!heshouldjustseeAshwellMajor's.AndIcanlickAshwellMajorwithonehand!")

"Aw,"saidtheyoungmanwiththecane,superciliouslystrokinghis

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malignedupperlip,"thepreparatoryschool,Idaresay--Lord,wasatoneoncemyself--beastlyhole!"

("Idon'tdoubtit,youlookit,"wasHughJohn'smentalnote.)Aloudhesaid,"SaintSalvator'sisarippingplace.WebeatGlenFettobyaninningsandninety-one!"

Mr.CourtenayCarlingtooknonotice.Hewastalkingearnestlyandconfidentiallytohiscousin.HughJohnhadhadenoughofthis.

"Comeon,Priss,"hesaidroughly,"let'sgohome."

Prissywasnothingloath.Shewasjustachingtogethimbyhimself,sothatshemightbegintoburnincenseathismanlyshrine.Shehadhadstacksofitready,andthematchlaidforweeksandweeks.

"Good-night,"saidCissyfrigidly.HughJohntookholdofherdaintyglovedfingersasgingerlyasifeachhadbeenastingingnettle,anddroppedthemasquickly.Mr.CourtenayCarlingpausedinhisconversationjustlongenoughtosayoverhisshoulder,"Ah--ta-ta--gotlotsofpetstorunroundandsee,Is'pose--rabbitsandguinea-pigs;usedtokeep'emmyself,youknow,beastlythings,ta-ta!"

AndwithCissybyhissidehemovedoff,alternatelytwirlinghismoustacheandglancingapprovinglydownather.Cissyonherpartneveroncelookedround,butkeptpokingherparasolintotheplantsatthesideoftheroad,asdeterminedlyasifithadbeentheoldpikemanufacturedbytheexiledkingO'Donowitch.Suchtreatmentcouldnothavebeenatallgoodforsuchamiracleofsilkandlaceandcane;butsomehowitsownerdidnotseemtomind.

"Whatanawfulbrute!"burstoutHughJohn,assoonasPrissyandhewereclear.

"Oh,how_can_yousayso!"saidPrissy,muchsurprised;"why,everyonethinkshimsonice.Hehassuchlotsofmoney,andisgoingto

standforParliament--thatis,ifhisunclewouldonlydie,orhavesomethinghappentohim!"

Herbrothersnorted,asiftoconveyhiscontemptfor"everybody's"opiniononsuchamatter;butPrissywastoohappytocareforaughtsavethefactthatoncemoreherdearHughJohnwassafeathome.

"Doyouknow,"shesaidlovingly,"Icouldnotsleeplastnightforthinkingofyourcoming!Itissosplendid.There'stheloveliestlotofrosesbeingplantedinthenewpottinghouse,andI'vegotapearlnecklacetoshowyou--suchabeauty--and----"

Thussherattledon,joyouslytickingoffallthethingsshehadto

showhim.Sheranalittleaheadtolookathim,thenranasquicklybacktohughim."Oh,youdear!"sheexclaimed.Andallthewhiletheheartoftheformervaliantsoldiersankdeepandeverdeeperintothesplit-newcricketingshoeshehadbeensoproudofwhenhesalliedforthtomeetCissyCarterbythestile.

"Comeon,"shecriedpresently,pickingupherskirts."I'msoexcitedIdon'tknowwhattodo.Ican'tkeepquiet.IbelieveIcanraceyouyet,forallyou'resobigandhavewonasilvercricketbat.HowIshalllovetoseeit!Comeon,HughJohn,I'llraceyoutothegipsy

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campforapoundofcandy!"

ButHughJohndidnotwanttorace.Hedidnotwant_not_torace.Hedidnotwantevertodoanythinganymore--onlytofadeawayanddie.Hisheartwascoldanddeadwithinhim.Hefeltthathewouldneverknowhappinessagain.ButhecouldnotbeartodisappointPrissythefirstnight.Besides,hecouldeasilyenoughbeather--hewassureofthat.Sohesmiledindulgentlyandnoddedacquiescence.Hehadnottoldherthathehadwontheschoolmilehandicapfromscratch.

Theystarted,andHughJohnbegantorunscientifically,ashehadbeentaughttodoatschool,keepingalittlebehindPrissy,readytospurtatthelastandwinbyaneck.Doubtlessthiswouldhaveansweredsplendidly,onlythatPrissyransofast.Shedidnotknowanythingaboutscientificsprinting,butshecouldrunlikethewind.SobythetimetheyreachedthePartanBurnshehadcompletelyoutclassedHughJohn.Withherskirtsheldhighinherhandoversheflewlikeabird;butherbrother,jumpingtheleastbittoosoon,wentsplashintotheshallows,sendingthewatertenfeetintotheair.

LikeashotPrissywasback,andreachedahanddowntothevanquishedscientificathlete.

"Oh,I'msosorry,HughJohn,"shesaid;"Ioughttohavetoldyouithadbeenwidened.Don'tlet'sraceanymore.IthinkImusthavestartedtoosoon,andyou'dhavebeatenmeanyway.Here'sthegipsycamp."

Theworld-wearyexilelookedabouthim.HehadthoughtthatatleastitmightbesomemanlypleasuretoseeBillyBlytheoncemore,andtryaroundwiththeBoundingBrothers.Afterall,whatdiditmatteraboutgirls?Hehadatwelve-bladedknifeinhispocketwhichheintendedforBilly,andheknewatrickofboxing--afeintwiththeright,andthenanupwardblowwiththeleft,whichheknewwouldinteresthisfriend.

Butthetentsweregone.Theplacewheretheyhadstoodwasgreenandunencumbered.Onlyanagedcroneortwomovedslowlyaboutamongthesmallthatchedcottages.TooneoftheseHughJohnaddressedhimself.

"Eh,master--BillyBlythe--why,hebe'listedforasodger--acorp'raltheysayhebe,andmaybesergeantbythistime,shouldn'twonder.Eh,dearie,andtheBoundin'Brothers--oh!yemeanthejoompin'lads.They'reoffwi'acircusinIreland.Nowtleftbutmeandmyowdmon!Thankye,sir,youbeagentlemanborn,asanybodycanseewithoutthecrossin'o'thehand."

SadlyHughJohnmovedaway,astillmoreblightedbeing.HeleftPrissyatthewhitelodge-gateinorderthatshemightgohometomeet

Mr.PictonSmithonhisreturnfromthecountytown,wherehehadbeenjudgingthehorsesatanagriculturalshow.Hewouldtakeawalkthroughthetown,hesaidtohimself,andperhapshemightmeetsomeofhisoldenemies.Hefeltthataboveeverythinghewouldenjoyasharptussle.Afterallwhatsavevalourwasworthlivingfor?Waittillhewasasoldier,andcamebackinuniformwithaswordbyhissideandthescarofawoundonhisforehead--wouldCissyCarterdespisehimthen?Hewouldshowher!Inthemeantimehehadlearnedcertaintricksoffencewhichhewouldratherliketoproveonthecountenancesofhisformerfoes.

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SowithrenewedhopeinhishearthetookhiswaythroughthetownofEdam.Thelampswerejustbeinglighted,andHughJohnloungedalongthroughtheearlyduskwithhishandsinhispockets,lookingoutforacauseofoffence.Presentlyhecameuponabrilliantlylightedbuilding,intowhichyoungmenandwomenwereenteringsinglyandinpairs.

Ahanginglampshonedownuponanoticeboard.Hehadnothingbettertodo.Hestoppedandread--

+--------------------------------------------------------+|EdamMutualImprovementSociety.||_SEASON_18--||||_Hon.President._--Rev.Mr.BURNHAM.||_Hon.Vice-President._--Mr.N.DONNAN.||_Hon.Sec.andTreasurer._--Mr.NATHANIELCUTHBERTSON.||DEBATETO-NIGHT.||||_Subject._--"IsthePenmightierthantheSword?"||_Affirmative._--Mr.N.DONNAN.||_Negative._--Mr.BURNHAM.||--------------------|

|ALLARECORDIALLYINVITED.||_BringyourHymn-books._|+--------------------------------------------------------+

HughJohndidnotaccepttheinvitation,perhapsbecausehehadnohymn-book.HeonlywaitedoutsidetohearMr.N.Donnan'sopeningsentence.Itranthus:"Allagesoftheworld'shistoryhavebornetestimonytothefactthatpeaceispreferabletowar,righttomight,andthesweetstillvoiceofReasontothesavagecompulsionsofbrutalForce."

"Oh,hang!"ejaculatedHughJohn,doublinghisfist;"didyoueverhearsuchrot?IwishIcouldjollywellfetchNipperDonnanoneon

thenob!"

Andhesaunteredontillhecametotheburying-groundofEdam'sancientabbey.Hewanderedaimlesslyuptheshortavenue,stoodatthegateawhile,thenkickeditopenandwentin.Heclamberedaboutamongthegraves,stumblingoverthegrassymoundstillhecametothetombsofhisancestors.Atleasttheywerenotquitehisancestors,buttheprinciplewasthesame."There'snothingexclusiveaboutme.I'lladoptthem,"saidHughJohntohimself,asmanyanotherdistinguishedpersonhaddonebeforehim.TheywereinfactthetombsoftheLorraines,theancientpossessorsandoriginalarchitectsoftheCastleofWindyStandard,whichhehadspilthisbestbloodtodefend.Well,itwastoattack.Butnomatter.

Hesatdownandlookedatthedefacedandbatteredtombsinsilence.Mightythoughtscoursedthroughhisbrain.Hisheartwasfilledfulltothebrimwiththesadnessofmortality.Tearsofhopelessresignationstoodinhiseyes.Itwastheend,thesolemnendofall.Soonhe,too,likethem,wouldbelyinglowandquiet.Hebegantobeconsciousofageneralfatalweaknessofthesystem,ahollownessofthechest(orstomach),whichshowedthattheendwasnear.

Ah,theywouldbesorrythen--_she_wouldbesorry!Andaftermorning

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serviceinchurch,theywouldcomeandstandbyhisgraveandsay--_she_wouldsay,"Hewasyoung,buthelivednobly,though,alas!therewasnonetoappreciatehim.Ah,wouldthathewereagainalive!"Thenthey(she)wouldweep,yes,weepbitterly,andflingthemselves(herself)uponthecold,coldground.Butallinvain.He(HughJohnPictonSmith,latehero)wouldliestillindeathunderthatgreensodandneversayaword.No,notevenifhecould.LikeBrerFox,hewouldlielow.AtthispointHughJohnwassomovedthatheputhisfacedownintohishandsandsobbed.

Aheavyclodofearthwhizzedthroughtheairandimpacteditselfwithathuduponthemourner'scheek,fillinghisearwithmudandsand,andinforminghimatthesameinstantthatitcarriedastoneconcealedsomewhereaboutitsperson.

ForthoughNipperDonnanwasnowVice-PresidentofaMutualImprovementAssociation,andatthatmomentspreadinghimselfinaperorationupontheadvantagesofuniversalgoody-goodiness,hehad,happilyforsocietyandHughJohn,leftexceedinglycapablesuccessors.TheeternalSmoutchywasstillverymuchalive,andstillanamateurofclodsinthetownofEdam.

ThatsodworkedacompleteandsuddencureinHughJohn.

Heroselikeashot.Fewandshortweretheprayershesaid,butwhatthesepetitionslackedinlengththeymadeupforinfervency.HepursuedhisassailantdowntheMillBrae,clamouredafterhimroundtheTown-yards,finallycorneredhimattheSpitalPort,punchedhisheadsoundly--andfeltbetter.

Sothatnighttheunfortunateyoungmartyrtothefloutsandscornsoflove,insteadofoccupyingaclay-coldbierwithhis(adopted)ancestorsinEdamAbbeygraveyard,ateanexcellentsupperinthenewhouseofWindyStandard,withthreehelpingsofround-of-beefandvegetablestomatch.Thenwithanemptyheart,butafullstomach,hebetookhimselfupstairstohisroom,wherepresentlyToadyLioncametoworship,andPrissydroppedintoseethatallwaswell.Shehad

spreadprettilyworkedcoversofpinksilkoverhisbrushesandcombs,anarrangementwhichtheherocontemplatedwithdisgust.

Heseizedthem,gatheredthemintoaknot,andflungthemintoacorner.

"Oh,HughJohn!"criedPrissy,"howcouldyou?Andtheytooksuchalongtimetodo!"

AndtherewerethepremonitionsofAprilshowersinthesensitivebarometerofPriscilla'seyes.

Thebrotherwastouched--asmuch,thatis,asitisinthenatureofa

brothertobe.Butintheinterestsofdisciplinehecouldnotgivewaytoocompletely.

"Allright,Prissy,"hesaid,"itwasnoendgoodofyou.Butreally,youknow,afellowcouldn'tbeexpectedtoputupwiththesethings.Why,they'dstickinyournailsandtangleupallyourtrapssothatyou'dwishyouweredeadtentimesaday,orelsethey'dmakeyousay'Hang!'andthings."

"Verywell,"saidPrissy,withsweetestresignation,"thenIwilltake

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themformyself,butIdidthinkyouwouldhavelikedthem!"

"Didyou,Priss--youareagoodsort!"saidHughJohn,pattinghissisteronthecheek.

Hissisterfeltthataftersuchademonstrationofaffectionfromhimtherewaslittlelefttolivefor.

"Good-night,youdear,"shesaid;"I'llwakeyouinthemorning,andhaveyourbathreadyforyouateight."

"Goodoldgirl!"saidHughJohntolerantly,andwenttobed,gladthathehadbeensonicetoPrissyaboutthebrush-covers.Suchalittlemakesagirlhappy,youknow.

Perhaps,allthingsbeingconsidered,itwasforthegoodofourhero'ssoulatthistimethatCissyCarterwasonhandtotakesomeoftheconceitoutofhim.

CHAPTERXXXIX.

"GIRLSAREFUNNYTHINGS."

"Girlsarefunnythings"wasHughJohn'sfavouritemaxim;andheforthwithproceededtoprovethatboysaretoo,bymakingapointofseeingCissyCarterseveraltimesaweekduringhisentirevacation.YethewasunhappyasoftenashewenttoOaklands,andonlymoreunhappywhenhestayedaway.Onthewhole,Cissywasmuchlessfrigidthanonthatfirstmemorableevening.Butsheneverthawedentirely,norcouldHughJohndiscovertheleasttraceofthehair-brainedmadcapofancientdaysforwhomhiswholesoullonged,inthecharminglyattiredyoungladywhosetalkandappearanceweresomuchbeyondheryears.Butheshavedthreeorfourtimesadaywithhisnew

razors,sneakinghotwaterontheslyinordertocatchup.

Thelasttimehecouldhopetoseeherbeforegoingbacktoschoolforhisfinalterm,wasontheeveningofadaywhenHughJohnhadsuccessfullycaptainedateamofschoolboysandvisitorsfromthesurroundingcountry-housesagainstthebestelevenwhichEdamcouldproduce.CissyCarterhadlookedonwithMr.CourtenayCarlingbyherside,whileCaptain(onceGeneralNapoleon)Smithmadeseventy-seven,andcarriedouthisstillvirginbatamidthecheersofthespectators,afterhavingbeatentheEdamitesbyfourwickets,andwithonlysixminutestospareinordertosavethedraw.

"Oh,wellplayed!"criedMr.Carlingpatronisingly,asHughJohncame

up,modestlyswinginghisbatasifhedidasmucheverydayofhislife;"IrememberwhenIwasatthe'Varsity----"

ButHughJohnturnedawaywithoutwaitingtohearwhathappenedtoMr.Carlingatthe'Varsitywhichhehadhonouredwithhispresence.Itchanced,however,thatatthatmomenttheyounggentlemanwiththemoustachesawontheothersideoftheenclosurealadyofmorematurecharmsthanthoseofhispresentcompanion,whosefatheralsohadagreatdealofinfluence--don'tyouknow?--inthecounty.Soinalittlewhileheexcusedhimselfandwentovertotalkwithhisnew

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friendinhercarriage,afterwardsdrivinghomewithherto"aquietfamilydinner."

ThusCissywaslefttoreturnalonewithSammy,andshegathereduphersunshadeandgloveswithanairofcalmandsurprisingdignity.HughJohnhadmeanttobidheranequallycoolgoodnightandstrolloffwiththeworshipfulToadyLion--whothatdayhadkeptwickets"likeajollylittlebrick"(ashisbrotherwasgoodenoughtosay),besidesmakingausefulsixbeforebeingrunout.Butsomehow,whentheheroofthedaywenttosaygood-bye,hecouldnotquitecarryouthisprogramme,andfoundhimself,againsthiswill,offeringindueformto"seeMissCarterhome."

WhichshowsthatHughJohn,likehismoustache,wasgrowingupveryrapidlyindeed,andlearninghowtoadapthimselftocircumstances.HewonderedwhatAshwellMajorwouldsayifheknew.Itwouldmakehimsick,HughJohnthought;butafterall,whatwasafellowtodo?

Forthefirstmiletheytalkedfreelyaboutthematch,andCissycomplimentedhimonhisscoring.Thentherefellasilenceandconstraintuponthem.Theywereapproachingthehistoricstile.HughJohnnervedhimselfforadaringventure.

"Doyourememberwhatyouoncemademesayhere,Cissy?"hesaid.Miss

Carterturneduponhimaperfectlywell-bredstareofblankestignorance.

"No,"shesaid,"Idon'tremembereverbeingherewithyoubefore."

"Oh,come,nohumbug,Cissy--youcouldrememberverywellifyouwantedto,"saidHughJohnroughly.Ashewouldhavedescribedithimself,"hismonkeywasgettingup.Cissyhadbetterlookout."

Hetookfromhisticket-pocketthepieceofthecrookedsixpence,whichhehadkeptformorethanthreeyearsinhisschoolbox."Youdon'trememberthateither,Isuppose?"hesaidwithgraveirony.

Cissylookedatthebrokencoincalmly--shewouldhavegivenagreatdealifshehadhadapincenezoraquizzing-glasstoputupatthatpoint.Butshedidherbestwithouteither.Strangely,however,HughJohnwasnotevenirritated.

"No,"shesaidatlast,"itlookslikehalfofasixpencewhichsomebodyhassteppedupon.Howquaint!Didyoufindit,ordidsomeonegiveittoyou?"

Theywereatthestilenow,andHughJohnhelpedCissyover.Thegrown-upswingofherskirtasshetrippeddownwasmasterly.Itlookedsonatural.Ontheothersidetheybothstopped,facedabout,andsettheirelbowsonthetopalmostastheyhaddonethreeorfour

yearsagowhen--butsomuchhadhappenedsincethen.

WithevenmoreserenityHughJohntookasmallpurseoutofhispocket.Itwasexceedinglydusty,aswellitmightbe,forhehadpickeditoutfromunderneaththespeciallyconstructedgrandstandatthecricketground.Heopeneditquietly,inspiteoftheunladylikesnatchwhichCissymadeassoonassherecognisedit,droppingheryoungladyishhauteurinaninstant.HughJohnheldthedaintypursehighupoutofherreach,andextractedfromaninnercompartmentasmallpieceofsilver.

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[Illustration:"ITLOOKSLIKEHALFOFASIXPENCEWHICHSOMEBODYHASSTEPPEDUPON.HOWQUAINT!"]

"Giveitbacktomethismoment,"criedCissy,whohadlostallherreserve,andsuddenlygrownwholeyearsyounger."Ididn'tthinkanyoneintheworldcouldbesomean.ButImighthaveknown.Doyouhear--giveitbacktome,HughJohn."

Withtheutmostdeliberationhesnappedthecatchandhandedherthepurse.Thebitofsilverhefittedcarefullytothefirstpiecehehadtakenfromhisticket-pocketandheldthemup.Theywerethereunitedhalvesofthesamecrookedsixpence.

ThenhelookedatCissywithsomeofherownformercalmness.

Heevenofferedherthesecondfragmentofsilver,whereuponwithasuddenpetulantgestureshestruckhishandup,andherownhalfofthecrookedsixpenceflewintotheair,flashedonceintheraysofthesettingsun,andfellinthemiddleofthepath.

HughJohnstoodinfrontofheramomentsilent.Thenhespoke.

"Doyouknow,Cissy,youarearegularlittlefraud!"

Andwiththathesuddenlycaughtthegirlinhisarms,kissedheronce,twice,thrice--andthensprangoverthestile,anddowntowardstheriveralmostasswiftlyasPrissyherself.Thegirlstoodamomentspeechlesswithsurpriseandindignation.Thenthetearsleapedtohereyes,andshestampedherfoot.

"Oh,Ihateyou,Idespiseyou!"shecried,puttingallherinjuredprideandangerintotheindignantringofhervoice."I'llneverspeaktoyouagain--notaslongasIlive,HughJohnSmith!"

Andsheturnedawayhomeward,holdingherheadveryhighintheair.Sheseemedtobebitingherlipstokeepbackthetearswhich

threatenedtooverflowhercheeks.Butjustasshewasleavingthestile,curiouslyenoughshecastsharplyoverhershoulderandallroundherthequickshylookofastartledfawn--andstoopedtothepath.Thenextmomentthebitofsilverwhichhadsparkledtherewasgone,andCissyCarter,witheyesstillmoist,butwiththesweetestandmostwistfulsmileplayinguponherface,wastrippinghomewardtoOaklandstothetuneof"TheGirlIleftbehindme,"whichshelikedtowhistlesoftlywhenshewassurenoonewaslistening.

Andattheendofeveryverseshegavealittleskip,asifherheartwerelightwithinher.

Girlsarefunnythings.

Transcriber'snote:

Inconsistentandarchaicspelling,syntax,andpunctuationretained.

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