Beverly of Graustark

blinding flash of lightning revealed Baldos, the goat-hunter, at her side, while a dozen shadowy figures were scrambling to their feet in all c

ark again. The man at her side called out a command in h

o grief, however, I am sorry to say. What a fool I was not to have foreseen

ried Beverly, betwe

in the tempest. There are other things much more annoying, I assure your highness. We shal

are not killed at all," com

all goat-hunter. He at once set about making his guest comfortable and secure from the effects of the tempest, which was now at its

here while this storm rages?" Bever

d of lightning? Mo

I'd much rather stay out here where th

Your fear is my delight. Pray sit upon our throne. It was once a humble carriage pail of leather, but

fear," she said, observing

f the goat-hunter is more gentle than his wit. I shall not ag

n contrition, for she was a very poor exa

ands to her ears and shutting her eyes tightly. The crash of thunder that came at that instant was the most fearful of all, and it was a full minute before she dared to lift her lids again. He w

American girl, for want of

ear. Shall I sit here at your feet? Perhaps

word from either. The noise of the storm made it impossible to speak and be heard. Scattered about the cavern were his outstretched followers, doubtless aslee

sharp exclamation and clapped his hand to his eye. For the first time since the beginning of their

rry insolence was gone, his composure with it. Beverly laughed wit

in the most unconventional way. "It was intended to be a dis

f. Wisdom is conceived in silence, and he knew th

I cover it in the daytime to protect

more, sir, you are not putting the patch over the same eye that wore it when I f

d hastily moved the black patch

said, serenely. "It belongs over the left eye, and I

you should wear it after dark, do y

nevertheless,

aid. "This is a cave,

smiled. "Well, a lout may look at a princess. We have

comingly," she protested. "You have called this pail a

s. I shall not forget my manners again,

horrid black thing. It is positively vil

ment?" he asked with such d

ed. "You don't have to take

serves as a partial disguise. I have many enem

rly. "Tell me all about it. I ador

be able to keep you well entertained w

"To be sure. I didn't hear you, I guess. That

also a

do you

o thundercla

t there?"

rain in the air and the wind may be dying hard, but

re right. How su

n, your highness, and you should try to get a

d then stopped, for it did not sound particularly regal. "I should h

, with your permissio

ust be half way t

night like this?" cri

I am afraid, however, we shall not find quarters

-er-snippish," she said, wondering

she knew he did not-whereupo

ch excellent English,"

ng look of horror on her face; her eyes riveted on the mouth of the cavern. Then, t

there!

feet from them a huge cat-like beast stood half crouched on the edge of the darkness, his long tail switching angrily. The feeble light from the depth of the cave threw the long, water-soaked visitor into bold relief a

To me!" he cried hoarsely, and sprang b

lion's gaunt body shot through the air. In two bounds, he was upon the goat-hunter. Baldos stood square

e shoute

xcitement she fired recklessly at the combatants without any thought of the imminent danger of killing her protector. There was a wild scream of pain from the wounded beast, more pistol shots, fierce yells from the excited hu

ible short space of time that she cou

and immovable. Like the dizzy whirl of a kaleidoscop

stood above the savage victim, his legs covered with blood. The cave was full of smoke and the smell of powder. Out of the haze she began to see the li

ied hoarsely. "Is it-is

the pistol falling fr

e; I'm all right,"

are-you

ou are torn to pieces! You must be frightfully hurt. Oh, is

d grasped the arm of the injured man. He winced perceptibly and she felt something warm and st

in. "How brave you were! You might have been-I'll never forget it-never! Do

old woman could say, bu

is leap was short, but he caught me above the knees with his claws. Alas, your highness, these trousers of mine were bad enough before,

Don't talk like that. Here! Li

nd the rock for an operating table. In ten minutes my men can have these scratches dressed and bound-in fac

und and calmly placed his hea

taking these cushi

rust Ravone to dress these trifling wounds, your highness. He may no

your legs? Your arm is covered with blood, too. Oh

truck me there, I think. You know th

enly filled with tears and there was a break in her voice. "I shot you! Don't deny it-don't

gone there. It is my misfortune that my arm was in the way. Besides, your highness, it has only cut through the skin-and a little below, perhaps

y through the circle of men to take observations, and then reporting to the impatient girl. The storm had passed and the night was still, except for the rush of the river; raindrops fell now and then from the trees, glistening like diamonds as they touched the light fr

tteh go to baid, Miss

after one o

please. Tell him so. No, no-don't do it, Aunt Fanny! Tell him I'

s' a goat pu

ow are his legs?" Aunt Fanny was almost stunned by this amazing question from her ever-dec

rise me. Dey's p'etty bad skun up, missy; de hide's peeled up con

rm-where I

' me. Misteh what's-his-names he says something to de docteh, an' den dey goes afteh de cobwebs, suah 'nough. 'Tain' ble

name, how are we to

ain't he? Wha's

nside the coach. Go and see i

eturned in a

jes' go to baid. He sends his 'spects an'

she went over and crawled under the blankets an