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Article EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A FREEMASON. ← Page 10 of 17 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Episodes In The Life Of A Freemason.
ivhich bordered the narrow and winding pathway . It was with difficulty that even two troopers could ride abreast , ancl occasionally the whole body was forced to break into single file . The little party had now reached the centre of the glen ; it was perfectly dark , as the feeble light of the moon was quite
inadequate to penetrate the mass of foliage ivhich hedged them in on every side . W was beginning to congratulate himself on having passed the worst of it , and ivas expecting to gain the open country in a very short time , when suddenly another crack ivas heard louder than the first , and one of the troopers fell from his horse a lifeless corpse ; a large stonehurled with a deadl
, y aim , from one of the slings to which I have alluded , had in another instant felled a second man to the ground ; ancl it was now quite apparent that they had fallen into an ambuscade . It was difficult to determine how to act under such circumstances , as they could not see then enemy , ancl to advance or halt seemed equally dangerous . W was somewhat at a loss what to do ;
but , after some consideration , he determined at all events to push forward , and get out of the glen as soon as possible . Whatever might be the nature of their unknown enemy , it was very certain that his own men would have a far better chance in the
open country , as they ivere unable to do anything for their defence in such a position as they were then in . Accordingly he gave the word to advance , enjoining at the same time a strict watch to be kept on every side . The obscurity of the night , however , rendered any precaution of this sort almost useless , as they were quite unable to pierce the interior of the glen ; whilst
their adversaries derived the benefit of an occasional gleam of moonlight reflected'from the spears and helmets ofthe soldiers . They trotted on as briskly as the rough state of the road would permit , ancl had but a very short way to go to reach the end of the glen , when two simultaneous shots told of the danger still hovering about them , and put two more troopers hors cle combat .
This sharp-shooting practice was naturally very irritating to W ancl his men , as they were unable to return the compliment in any way . However they dashed on , and soon the distant glimmer of the moon over the country beyond the glen notified that they were nearly at the end of it . And noiv it became necessary to provide for any attack which miht be made
g as they emerged into the open plain , where at first , if not duly prepared , they might be taken at a disadvantage . The little troop had lost four men , Aidiich reduced their strength considerably , and they had no idea of what force they might possibly have to encounter before they reached the camp . At length the glen was past , ancl W drew up his men to reconnoitre their
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Episodes In The Life Of A Freemason.
ivhich bordered the narrow and winding pathway . It was with difficulty that even two troopers could ride abreast , ancl occasionally the whole body was forced to break into single file . The little party had now reached the centre of the glen ; it was perfectly dark , as the feeble light of the moon was quite
inadequate to penetrate the mass of foliage ivhich hedged them in on every side . W was beginning to congratulate himself on having passed the worst of it , and ivas expecting to gain the open country in a very short time , when suddenly another crack ivas heard louder than the first , and one of the troopers fell from his horse a lifeless corpse ; a large stonehurled with a deadl
, y aim , from one of the slings to which I have alluded , had in another instant felled a second man to the ground ; ancl it was now quite apparent that they had fallen into an ambuscade . It was difficult to determine how to act under such circumstances , as they could not see then enemy , ancl to advance or halt seemed equally dangerous . W was somewhat at a loss what to do ;
but , after some consideration , he determined at all events to push forward , and get out of the glen as soon as possible . Whatever might be the nature of their unknown enemy , it was very certain that his own men would have a far better chance in the
open country , as they ivere unable to do anything for their defence in such a position as they were then in . Accordingly he gave the word to advance , enjoining at the same time a strict watch to be kept on every side . The obscurity of the night , however , rendered any precaution of this sort almost useless , as they were quite unable to pierce the interior of the glen ; whilst
their adversaries derived the benefit of an occasional gleam of moonlight reflected'from the spears and helmets ofthe soldiers . They trotted on as briskly as the rough state of the road would permit , ancl had but a very short way to go to reach the end of the glen , when two simultaneous shots told of the danger still hovering about them , and put two more troopers hors cle combat .
This sharp-shooting practice was naturally very irritating to W ancl his men , as they were unable to return the compliment in any way . However they dashed on , and soon the distant glimmer of the moon over the country beyond the glen notified that they were nearly at the end of it . And noiv it became necessary to provide for any attack which miht be made
g as they emerged into the open plain , where at first , if not duly prepared , they might be taken at a disadvantage . The little troop had lost four men , Aidiich reduced their strength considerably , and they had no idea of what force they might possibly have to encounter before they reached the camp . At length the glen was past , ancl W drew up his men to reconnoitre their