The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 3 — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

6 eV ses ats Ses == THE PHANTOM ARMY. 457 receiver in London was scarcely such a i as even a fourth rate brigand might aspire to. ‘“Gentlemen,’’ I said, springing lightly from my horse, ‘‘ you have made some mistake.”’ : The man who had the pistol lowered it and smiled. He was tall for a Spaniard, and hada certain air which was not the air of a cutthroat. I noticed at once that his clothes of black velvet were very rich and new; a diamond ring of undoubted value glistened upon the finger which hooked the trigger of his revolver. He wore a sombrero hat with white feathers in it, a decoration imitated by four of his fellows who had come out of the thicket to stand with him. The same richness of dress and ease of manner marked the newcomers, who appeared to carry no arms, nor to think arms necessary. ‘“‘Senor,’’ said the man with the pistol, in answer to my protest, ‘‘ there is nomistake. You are the Englishman, Captain Noel Falconer.’’ I looked at him, astonished that he should have my name. ‘“ And if Iam, senor? ”’ ‘“ Tf you are, senor, you will please to tell me your business at Torla?’’ It was clear to me that he knew my business as well as I did. ‘To have bandied words with him in such a place and at such a time would have been the amusement of a madman. ‘“ My business is with the prince,’’ I answered unhesitatingly ; ‘‘I have come from London to see him.”’ The stranger bowed and thrust his pistol into his belt ; the others began to stare at me, yet not so plainly that I could take offense at it. When they had exchanged a few words together, and had come to some agreement, the man who first addressed me—he of the velyet breeches and the red beard—spoke again. < 7a Sal he said, “‘if you will come with me, I will take you to my master.’ He beckoned one of the others to lead my heesee and, without more ado, crossed the amphitheater. ‘There was the mouth of a path opening there, narrow and tortuous -and almost hidden by the flowering shrubs which bordered it. We followed the new track, perhaps for the third part of a mile, going upward all the time. Then, without warning, it ceased and we stood in a little glade where a tent of boughs had been built and a camp pitched. : I have seen some picturesque things in my life, but that camp in the heart of the forest of Torla remains one of the treasures of memory. Quite sud- denly, out of the darker maze of the thicket, we passed to a park worthy of old England; to a scene which recalled to me all the childish stories of: Robin Hood and the merry men of history. Here beneath magnificent trees a dozen men were enjoying their siesta. Some in hammocks; some at all their length upon the grass ; some seated before a table the cloth of which was like a coverlet of snow—they slept or chatted or smoked in dreamy indolence. ‘The June sun which scourged the burning plains below was to them a friend of sleep. Canopies of leaves, cunningly entwined, sheltered Eomichbooks.com