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Article THE MASON. ← Page 8 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mason.
upon him , when , as a last resource , he drew a pistol from his saddle , and fired . The arm of his pursuer fell powerless at his side ; at this moment the officer ancl two men , who by a detour had gained upon his path , dashed before him . Adolphe—his sword broken , his path beset- —perceiving
that all further attempt at flight or resistance would be useless , calmly awaited' his fate . One of his pursuers was on the point of transfixing him with his lance , when a gleam of hope flashed across his mind—turning towards the officer , he made that peculiar sign which , throughout the
world , designates a Master Mason . Swift as an arrow the commander rushed between the Cossack and his destined victim , striking up his lance with his sabre just as it reached the young Frenchman ' s breast—the disappointed savage rode grumbling away .
" I may not offer you my hand , " exclaimed the Russian , in excellent French : " it is stained with the blood of your countrymen ; but you have made a claim upon my mercy which , even here in the red moment of victory , with my spirit chafed with my country's wrongs , I must—at all hazards—will respect . Your parole—"
" Is given , " answered Adolphe , scarcely believing his good fortune , for the Cossacks were seldom known to give quarter . " Enough ! " replied his captor : " follow me . " On reaching the scene of the late action , he beheld the
enemy busy stripping the bodies of his former companions , not one of whom had been fortunate enough to escape . Laureston's baggage was already rifled , ancl scattered about the snow . A small casket , which he knew contained the count's orders in diamonds , lay at his horse's feet . His
conqueror observed the direction of his eye , ancl commanded one of the men to reach it him from the ground . Without VOL . I . E
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mason.
upon him , when , as a last resource , he drew a pistol from his saddle , and fired . The arm of his pursuer fell powerless at his side ; at this moment the officer ancl two men , who by a detour had gained upon his path , dashed before him . Adolphe—his sword broken , his path beset- —perceiving
that all further attempt at flight or resistance would be useless , calmly awaited' his fate . One of his pursuers was on the point of transfixing him with his lance , when a gleam of hope flashed across his mind—turning towards the officer , he made that peculiar sign which , throughout the
world , designates a Master Mason . Swift as an arrow the commander rushed between the Cossack and his destined victim , striking up his lance with his sabre just as it reached the young Frenchman ' s breast—the disappointed savage rode grumbling away .
" I may not offer you my hand , " exclaimed the Russian , in excellent French : " it is stained with the blood of your countrymen ; but you have made a claim upon my mercy which , even here in the red moment of victory , with my spirit chafed with my country's wrongs , I must—at all hazards—will respect . Your parole—"
" Is given , " answered Adolphe , scarcely believing his good fortune , for the Cossacks were seldom known to give quarter . " Enough ! " replied his captor : " follow me . " On reaching the scene of the late action , he beheld the
enemy busy stripping the bodies of his former companions , not one of whom had been fortunate enough to escape . Laureston's baggage was already rifled , ancl scattered about the snow . A small casket , which he knew contained the count's orders in diamonds , lay at his horse's feet . His
conqueror observed the direction of his eye , ancl commanded one of the men to reach it him from the ground . Without VOL . I . E