With Force and Arms

back over it I am constrained to say that in no place had I ever found men and women who made of life so serious a business. Yet, with al

out and see what sort of soldier material I might expect among the recruits. I must also learn something of the country roundabout, as well as of the red men of the fo

ith a brace 42of partridge or squirrels, that made dainty dishes, when Mistress Willis had b

I had caught but few glimpses of her since, and then she had passed me by with a bow, and a little smile, albeit a sad one. Though to me she see

le. Her eyes were brown; her hair a deep blue-black, as a fine steel rifle barrel might be shaded. Her face was like--but what it was like, 'tis beyond me to describe.

, on the 43hill. There good Dominie Parris held forth, at no uncertain length on the trials and troubles of this world, and on the necessity of saving the soul from the Devil and the wrath to come. To my shame be it, perhaps, but I am afraid I paid but little heed to the

o the bottom. And, most often, it was two full turnings ere the sermon was finished. Another time it might be three, while, on one weary day (I was preciously sleepy too) I recall that the cler

ken place in our Salem Colony. He also related such facts about 44witches, as had come to his knowledge, he said. He spoke so strongly of the powers of the witches, that the whole congregation almost was in great terror. Some timid folks double barred their doors

tance of the principal men. I had seen enough to know that a goodly company could b

came to a place where two paths diverged. The left led on down past the common and to the grist mill, while th

. The birds were beginning to fly northward, and, as I walked, a flock of crows passed over h

of glen, the sides of which rose steeply on either side, while the trees, locking the

s, some of which showed a little green as a forerunner of spring. Then my eyes took in the other s

ing at me, and I saw that her gaze was directed to a spot on the ground in front of her. Following her glance I saw with terror that

s shuttle. Lucille, I saw, dared not move. One hand was pressed to her heart, while the other clasped some flowers

not, lest I should startle the reptile, and cause it to str

n. I had my sword, but it was folly to think of stealing upon the reptile, and trying to kill it with that. Nor was there much cha

eginning to sway, under the baneful influence of the serpent, and I knew that I must act quickly. I half drew my sword in despera

olding it in place with the thumb. Then they would raise the hand, palm upward. With a sudden movement, strong and swift, they would hurl the weapon from them, casting it unerrin

the knife, and I resolved to chance on throwing it at the snake. It was but a chance, for I knew that if the reptile was startled it wo

ucille saw that the serpent was about to spring, a convulsive tremor shook her body. It must b

ng no sound. As an arrow from the bow it struck the reptile behind its ugly head, and, such was the force of the flying knife, that the ste

out of the 48way of the flying body of the snake, for I feared that it might, even yet, strike out blindly, but none the less fatally. Lucille rested in my

y, then shuddered, and closed her eyes again.

rible! I shall

She declared that she was well enough to walk home, but I protested,

now. Let me go with you. I can walk, indeed I can; see," and she stepped

on my arm, which, after some h

I saw the snake coiled before me. And then it seemed as if I could not move. My eyes grew heavy, and there was no life in me. It began to get dark, and then,

aid, "that I chanc

t fortunate chanc

hance--my fate," I said so

er gateway I bade her good nigh

e said. "'Tis the second time that you h

," I made answer, bowing. She st

n answer to my words. "That is, when you can find time from y

ll held in her hand. Then, on the impulse of the moment she gave me a spray. I have it yet, faded and brown. For for

though, perhaps, 'tis a slight welcome I can give in return for

f and think of it all. For most strangely had this maid come into my life, and she had awakened stra