CHAPTER VI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 21, 13 September 1889, Page 25

CHAPTER VI.

There may be some long-lived persons yet in existence, bred and born even oat of the salubrious air of Wind-Gap, who remember Roger Divey. He was best known in his day by the title of " yallow Roger," — a surname derivable from the sooty-saffron hue of as much ol bis real surface as could be seen — namely, his large, lank, parch* ment-covered countenance, and his hands. He was a tall, gaunt man. His trunk of heavy bones, loosely strung together, was supported by •xtremities, not much thicker, nor better shaped from the knees to the ankles, than the huge cudgel he always carried. At the time of our history, Roger was sergeant of the real Mayor of oar own town and its suburbs, inclnding, of course, Wind-Gap itself. And it was pretty well knowu that dame justice had no retainer in her service more mercenary than Roger Divey. If one might judge by his external aspect, he was a man of sedate gravity ; apparently somewhat stupid ; and honest without the slightest shrewdness or design. Herein, however, lay Roger's talent. Under the disguise of a sage and very uncomely owl, he hid the raven's cunning and rapacity. A lofty, pompous personage, withal, was Roger. Slowly and solemnly he strode along the streets, his head erect, and his every action full of that " pride of place " which he felt marked him as the holder of a station of much power and importance. The morning after the bonfire on Wind-Gap hill, Roger Divsy was seen pacing through a certain street in the town, in which he officiated. Those in the habit of observing his outward expression, uuderstood by the settled dignity of his brow, and the savere and ominous protrusion of his nether lip, that he was proceeding on some errand of moment, connected with his calling. Opposite neighbours met half-way in the street, and put their heads together to express their conviction that he had weighty matters in hand ; passengers, as they encountered him, stopped short and turned their eyes after the imposing official, each endeavouring to enlighten the other as to his probable destination. Fully aware of the many inquiring looks directed towards his movements, Koger did not, however, vouchsafe to show the slightest consciousness of the curiosity he excited. Filled with his own greatness, he strode onwaid ; arrived at the end of the street, and surveyed, with deliberate glance, a certain house. Then, nodding his head sedately to himself, ne moved three stately steps to the hall door, calculatiugly raised its knocker, and, in his own good time, banged it down with puch force that one might think the lion's head moulded on it had sent forth a roar; After this tremendous challenge, Roger drew back some paces and hit the bead of his gigantic shillelagh against the paving stones. Stretching forth his arm at full length, he rested the palm of his right hand upon it, fixed his left arm a-kimbo, boldly advanced his right leg before his person, threw back his head, and in this position awaited the result of his summous. The door was opened by a frightened-looking serving wench— the figure of the landlady of the house appeared at some distance be* hind her. " I say, you girl, you," demanded the man of authority, " would ye have Masther George Blundell on the premises here ? " " E — ah ! " was the only reply of the astonished and true Irish girl. "Ye slut, ye 1 " continued RogeT, " make thrue answer to such custions as shall be demanded o' ye, at your peril, do ye see me ?" " What may be your business with my lodger, Mr. Blundell 1 " questioned the landlady, coming forward. " That's his own consarn, misthress of the house, do ye see me ? Make known to the young gintleman, i' ye plase, that we'd discoorse with him. We don't have a call to reople for no rason." " Mr. Blundell isn't yet up, I b'lieve," said the landlady. " That makes no maxim, marram. Up or down, it's all the same to us." Jest give him to undherstand that we'd hould some speech with him."

" You cannot see him now. You must call another time, my good fellow."

" Ha, hum, ' good fellow ? ' Who is it you lessen by the name of good fellow 7 Marram, we must Eec him, and we shall see him, or we'll know for what."

Eoger, having spoken these words in a loud, infallible voice, which filled the whole street, cast his eye towards a window over-head, and at it perceived the object of his enquiry looking down at him. He waved his arm magisterially, and continued—" Walk ye down here to us, young master. Walk down hero to us, d'ye see mt ? "—nor was this command given in a puny accent. George Blundell was shortly on the threshold. " What have you to say to me, Sirrah ?" " Ah, hum, • Sirrah V We are no Sirrah, my youth, we are no Birrah. Isn't these purty doin's ? purty doin's, isn't thty ? By ye're lp>ve here, all o' yt, by your lave, d'ye see me ?" Roger jostled through roe group, which his bellowing and other noises had created, strode to the door-way, and, passing George Blundell, entered the hall of the house.

" What's to get ye clear out o' this prosecution, young master T There isn't a bail boad to be taken, if we don't give in to take it for

11 Why are you disturbing the house, fellow 7 Let me know yoor errand at once, or I will thrust you into the street." " Ha, hum, this kind o' talk won't sarve ye, when ye're afore his Worship, and myself. Its a burglary matther, let me tell ye. Many a stout fellow has died without being sick for a less charge, d'ye see me? "

" Explain yourself, or bearone "— "'Begone 1' ha, hum. Would nothing do your turn, my young masther, but to make a burglary on the dwellin' house, why at arums, and to brake dours, and to take, force, and carry away a man's daughter from him 1 And wii sticks, stones, and staves, to say nothing o' swoords and pistols, to nnke salt and batthsry on a man T Let me tell ye, d'ye see me, that we know how to dale wid sich doin's. And barrin' there's one to make the case clear for ye, yell be hard run to keep away from the hill beyant the river, where some people dance upon nothing, to save their shoes." " You are under some mistake, fallow. Leave the house, and do not bring a crowd round the door." "Hem, 'lave the nous 3 I ' Is that all I'm to get far my warning ?"

" Leave it instantly I" and George looked dangerous. '• And who's to stand for ye, when ye're afore the Mayor and me, d'ye see me."

George took the man by the collar, and, without much exertion, led him to the threshold, and pushed him over it. At that moment his eyes rested upon a certain face and form in an opposite window. He bowed confusedly, retreated quickly, and shut tae door on the outraged dignitary.

{To be continued.')