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"Yes, and as often as you like. No more now there is D'ri. Remember, sweetheart, I shall look and pray for you day and night." Sooner or later all things come to an end, including wars and histories, a God's mercy! and even the lives of such lucky men as I. All things, did I say? Well, what wonder, for am I not writing of youth and far delights with a hand trembling of infirmity?
D'ri took the horses, and I was shown to the library, where the count came shortly, to give me hearty welcome. "And what of the captives?" I inquired, our greeting over. "Alas! it is terrible; they have not returned," said he, "and I am in great trouble, for I have not written to France of their peril. Dieu! I hoped they would be soon released. They are well and now we have good news.
My father and the innkeeper and D'ri and I sat awhile, smoking, in the warm glow of the bonfire. "You 're a long-headed man," said I, turning to my comrade. "Kind o' thought they'd be trouble," said D'ri. "So I tuk 'n ast yer father t' come over hossback with hef a dozen good men. They got three more et the tavern here, an' lay off 'n thet air bateau, waitin' fer the moosecall.
His hat crown had been torn off, and there was a big rent in his trousers, but he kept going, I saw my man had been killed in my arms by a piece of chain, buried to its last link in his breast. I was so confused by the shock of it all that I had not the sense to lay him down, but followed D'ri to the cockpit. He stumbled on the stairs, falling heavily with his burden.
Ef you hed a purty comf'table hum on t'other side, 'n' few thousan' dollars 'n the bank, 'n' bosses 'n' everything fixed fer a good time, 'n' all uv a sudden ye found yerself 'n sech a gol-dum dungeon es this here, what 'u'd you dew?" The guard was fixing the wick of his candle, and made no answer. "Want ye t' think it all over," said D'ri. "See ef ye can't think o' suthin' soothin' t' say.
My young sisters began to cry. "Need n't be scairt," said father. "They won't come very near. 'Fraider of us 'n we are o' 'em, a good deal." "Tow-w-w!" said D'ri, with a laugh. "They 'll be apt t' stub ther toes 'fore they git very nigh us." This did not quite agree with the tales he had previously been telling. I went for my sword, and buckled its belt about me, the scabbard hanging to my heels.
While I had little fear of death, I dreaded to be shot like a felon. But I should be dying for my country, and that feeling seemed to light the shadows. When I fell asleep, after much worry, it was to dream of my three countrymen who had fallen to their faces there by the corn. I awoke to find the guard in our cell, and D'ri and he whispering together. He had come with our breakfast.
Sheets of spray shot skyward, coming down like a shower. We were shaken as by an earthquake in the rough water. Then the roar fell back of us, and the raft grew steady. "Gin us a tough twist," said D'ri, shouting down at me "kind uv a twist o' the bit 'n' a kick 'n the side."
One of the privates turned quickly and ran. D'ri sent a shot after him, that only grazed a leg, and he kept on. Then D'ri gave all attention to his new prisoners. They could see no amusement in dodging bullets; they threw their arms on the side-hill and sat down with the others. The captain swore as he submitted, "Don't rile yerself," said D'ri; "you need rest."
"No, I don't, nuther," said the captain. "Ye'll hev t' hev it, anyway," said D'ri. "This beats h !" the captain answered, with a laugh. A feeling of alarm began to spread. The adjutant was standing in a group of men at headquarters soon after midnight. They were ears under in the mystery. The escaped soldier came running toward them out of the dark.
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