Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/232

206 is a terrible sight, and the very odor of the room will infect thee!”

“Zounds, man! how careful thou art of my health! But, fortunately, I do not fear the plague. I had it three years ago and got over it bravely. They say one is then exempt and can never catch it again. Let me go, Dirk.”

“Aye, but I will not answer for the consequences, thou reckless man!” answered Dirk as he reluctantly unbolted the door, shutting  it again quickly, when the soldier was once  inside. Alonzo sat down on a vacant chair, and laughed till the tears rolled down his  cheeks, at the capers Gysbert cut, raving and  tossing, shouting and groaning, and flinging  the bed-clothes about.

“Thou art the cleverest lad I ever met!” he whispered, glancing significantly at the  door, to intimate that Dirk was probably outside listening. Then aloud;

“By the Pope! thou art in a right bad predicament, and methinks thou hast not much