Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/164

 He travelled—' began the drummer, eagerly; but 'Hist, vassal,' commanded one of the new-comers, and he histed.

"The floor grew warm under our prancing feet as we hurried to leave the hall. The halberdier leaned in the window, and, eying us curiously, cried: 'Ye didn't git out by th' winder, did ye? I was told er guard it, and, by gum, I have!' But he made no move to stop our passing through the door, and Tib swore he was a man with a heart in his bosom. On the other side of the keep the volunteer cabinet-makers kept pounding away at the gibbet and recked us not, although one blur whistled with sinister shrillness, 'Let Erin Remember.'

"Our new captors numbered about a dozen and watched us keenly, although accepting Tib as their master. For when we tried to say good-night and sneak away after our wheels they caused us to hesitate and informed we would be piked to death if we made another break. 'We've left our hoein' to stand by ye, an' don't ye dast to caper any,' warned one.

"‘I trow we shall not part in scorn,' assured Tib.

"‘Then let that tall feller stop his rantin',' remonstrated another.

"‘Beshrew me,' groaned the drummer, keeping close to us; 'but say, fellers, this isn't real, is it? I'm still travelling for the Buffalo house, ain't I?'