A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 134: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

130 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY. “Sleepy as an owl—hic—rascally landlord—put laud- anum in wine——” Down plumped the brave watchman of the middle of the bridge with his back against one of the stones be- tween which his prey was crouching, and soon his heavy snores told that he was safe in the land of Nod. Raoul raised his head, made sure that the coast was clear, and crawled cautiously out of the uncomfortable shelter. _ He stooped over and scrutinized Goujon attentively. Yes, -he was fast asleep, as sound as a church. But what was the chevalier to do? Both ends of the bridge were guarded. There was little chance of escape. He was caught like a rat in a trap. | ‘“More—more wine!’ whimpered Goujon in his sleep. “Peace, you wine-cask!” muttered De Puycadére. And then a sudden inspiration seized him. Yes, there was a Chance, a bare one, but worth trying at all events. He bent over the snoring form and gently removed the hat and cloak. Then he carefully dragged the uncon- scious sergeant behind a buttress of the bridge. Scarcely had he bestowed him safely out of sight, when a voice cried owt from one end of the bridge: ‘He climbed the parapet. I saw him. This way! This way!” The chevalier had just time to slouch Goujon’s hat over his eyes, hind-part before, so that the feather dan- gled over his face, and to arrange cloak and sword ina swaggering fashion, before Griffo came running up followed by two other soldiers and a man in the dress of a tradesman. | “Sergeant!” called Griffo, excitedly. “ Well—hic—what news?” returned Raoul, imitating Comichbooks co