The Crimson Sign

ore tenderness and solicitude. Every want that he had was anticipated, and during the tedium of the day the old soldier beguiled the time with stories of the camp and b

his devotions he conducted in private, and it was only at Gervase′s request t

he sound of voices without, and going to the window, he saw 70half a dozen dragoons drawing water from the well in the farm-yard. They evidently thought the house deserted, for they bestowed no attention upon it. At that moment Macpherson came swinging down the lane in the rear of the house, and was about to enter the y

pose; he had studied their uses aforetime, and now he turned the knowledge to account. He knew something, too, of their medicinal qualities, and insisted with a solemn persistence on Gervase swallowing many nauseous draughts, which, indeed, the latter did rather from a feeling of good comradeship than from any liking for the dose. He greatly preferred the stories of Ma

hen the field is set, and

e along the line to me

etre and halting lines lost their homeliness, and were clothed with a fine vigour and glowed with inspired fervour as he followed the measure with

and was able to move about without being supported, the fever having entirely disappeared, and his strength having returned in some considerable degree. They were sitting together

our hand as we proceed, and in the meantime you will ride Bayard while I tramp as best I can. I have done as much

may be that this passport of De Laprade′s will be of some service after all, though I do not

scholar, but I think no man could tell in what language it was written, or what may be its purport. Even his name has so f

rejoiced that you did not harm him. I was not brought up to understand his ways, b

care for the tribe. But he is as you say, I doubt not, though

reason why you

t. God forbid, however, that I should hate any, though it is permitted to hate their works. He is, as you say, a gallant fellow. I remember when I was of an age with him, I thought as li

said Gervase, feeling that he

and men said I had some skill in the art of war. Howbeit I had got some preferment which I held lightly 74enough, as I cared but little whom I served as long as there was wine in the measure and women for the asking. One man I was drawn toward in a special manner, for we had both known better things and had some sorrow together when our cups were spilt, and the headache and heartache came in the morning. Jack Killigrew (for he was an Englishman, and well born, as I have since learnt) should have been a parson, but the devil set him trailing a pike and drinking deep as the rest of us. After a while I noticed a change in his ways, which change I could not well understand at first, but soon I discovered. He drank no more, foreswore the dicebox, would not beat up the town, and I shrew

before him, and his leonine head thrown back. His eyes were filled with the strange, wild

a sword flashed out in the moonlight. I knew it was Jack Killigrew, and knew that either he or I must die for this deed. Our blades crossed, and while Jezebel stood looking on, my friend and I (and truer comrade had no man) sought each the heart′s blood of the other. May God in His mercy forgive me, for I shall never forgive myself. Oh! we fought a bitter fight under the walls that June night, and he died hard. For I killed him; yes, I killed him. Do not start or turn away from me--his sweetheart did not, Nay, when

d. But I think not that all women are like Annchen, whom I cannot unde

re young and cannot yet understand the matter, but for me I would that my salvation was assured, as sometimes I have hop

g in the good cause, for Heaven knows strong arms like yours are

and slow speech there is the power of many regiments. I have seen his eyes in the day of battle. He is one of a race that never knows when it is beaten. I think that

is time, I doubt not, if Colonel Lundy be a true and loyal ma

es your burg

right and ke

ball to Cal

here are men there to say 'stand back′; but hunger and disease are enemies that few can fight against: and hunger and disease Londonderry will have to face. ′Tis here the Protestant faith must make its last stand. Should the city fall before relief may come, then the end is far off, and the Stuart may yet wear

, being a soldier, will not leave the city to stand al

e to fight for to prove the stoutest soldiers in Europe. But they care not for James Stuart, and I think he has no general who can take their measure. Rosen is a foreigner, and Hamilton a man of few parts; while Sarsfield, of whom I have heard much, lacks discretion and temperate wisdom, else migh

erty, religion, wife, child, and even for life itself. If that does not give men

hristendom, even should England leave us to tread our own path--which Heaven forfend. But ′twere easy to succour the city. With the Foyle running close by the city walls, men and provisions were easily furnished.

e answered, "but how we are to get into the town

ee and speak nought but the Irish speech, or what will pass for such, till you are behind stone walls. For myself, I think the story I shall tell and my knowledge of the French tongue, will carry

ervase said, "and had rather

this you shall not 80thwart me. So to bed, for at cockcrow we must start, first having commended our lives to Providence, and