The Argosy — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

1 Paw A WK Gr, OSX. AUGUST, 1659. ee an a THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. BY DARLEY DALE, AUTHOR OF “FAIR KATHERINE,” =e a CHAPTER XXII. THE ARCHDEACON’S SILK STOCKINGS. CRY of terror broke from Vera’s assailant when he saw a huge mastiff flying straight at him. He let go the bridle, and instinctively stooped and picked up a stone as the only means of defence that occurred to him; but he felt his chances of escape were small. Another few seconds and the dog’s teeth would be in his throat. Vera was as terrified as the man, for she knew Lion would make short work.of him; and she was by no means sure of being able to control the dog when he saw she was being molested by a tramp. She turned Firefly towards him, putting herself and the mare between the dog and the man, exclaiming : * Down, Lion; down, sir; good dog.” Lion most reluctantly obeyed, and crouched down on his haunches, growling fiercely and glaring at his prey, longing for his mistress to give him permission to seize it. ‘* Now, one word from me and my dog would seize you. Give me back my watch and my whip, or I'll set him on you,” said Vera. **For mercy’s sake don’t, my lady. Let me go, and I'll never forget your kindness to my dying day.” “I don’t suppose you will forget it, for this would be your dying day if I didn’t keep my dogin. Down, Lion; quiet, sir,” said Vera as the man meekly handed her back her watch and her whip, Lion growling fiercely as he did so. ‘* Now I shall leave my dog to guard you while I ride to Woodford for a policeman, and give you in charge,” said Vera, not seriously intending to carry out this threat, but feeling it was really her duty, much as she disliked it, since it would necessitate her appearing in Court to prosecute the man. The man, however, begged so earnestly to be forgiven, and made so many promises ofamendment, that Vera VOL, XLVIII. econicboolks (SO) am