Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/168

 "‘Not for a gold-mine,' I objected, now fearing that his dreams of empire would cause him to cut up. For I knew that he would just like to sway the sceptre over Tanker's Mills, despite the fact that a despotism within the United States is incongruous.

"‘I'm going to pause long enough to devour that pump,' interrupted the drummer, now walking like a drunken man.

"We were entering the village at the time, and only Corn Hair's promise to assassinate him held him to the path. Then, whom should we meet, practically unattended, but King James himself. 'Out on thee, arrant knave!' he cried, on beholding Monmouth. 'Ho, warden! ho men at arms! Hither, I command thee!'

"‘Not on thy life!' howled the drummer, coming to his senses and clapping his soft hat over his Majesty's mouth.

"‘Hold him,' cried Tib, in a low voice, applying his handkerchief to the august arms and thus reversing history. 'Now, march him quietly to the town-hall.'

"‘Say, fellers, don't ye dare hurt Freeman Hucky,' warned one of the guards, as with poor grace they allowed us to drag the old man along. Several of them also incited gay feelings by producing coarse-looking jack-knives.