Hence, it behooved thesetwo to be wary, lest they be wiped out altogether and Sam was dismayedindeed, upon cautiously scouting round a corner of his own stable, tofind himself face to face with the valorous and skilful Verman, who wasacting as an outpost, or picket, of the enemy. On the third Saturday this opposition had been worn down by thesuccessive captures of Maurice Levy and Georgie Bassett until itconsisted of only Sam Williams and Penrod. Strangely enough, the undoubted champion proved to be the youngest anddarkest of all the combatants, one Verman, coloured, brother to Herman,and substantially under the size to which his nine years entitled him.Verman was unfortunately tongue-tied, but he was valiant beyond allothers, and, in spite of every handicap, he became at once the chiefsupport of his own party and the despair of the opposition. "No, you won't! If you can't show any SENSE about it, we'll do it over,and I guess you'll see whether you feel it or not! There! NOW, I guessyou-" "Yah! Course you would! He's on your side! _I_ leave it to Herman." "What if you didn't? I touched you, and you're bonded. Williams'skitchen, when she declared that she might "jes' as well try to cookright spang in the middle o' the stock-yards."Īll up and down the neighbourhood the campaigns were waged, accompaniedby the martial clashing of wood upon wood and by many clamorousarguments. In fact, this very similarity must havebeen in the mind of the distressed coloured woman in Mrs. For the gamewas exciting, and, at its highest pitch, would sweep out of an alleyinto a stable, out of that stable and into a yard, out of that yard andinto a house, and through that house with the sound (and effect uponfurniture) of trampling herds. Pending such rescue, however, he was obliged toaccompany the forces of his captor whithersoever their strategicalnecessities led them, which included many strange places. When two enemiesmet, they fenced spectacularly until the person of one or the other wastouched by the opposing weapon then, when the ensuing claims of foulplay had been disallowed and the subsequent argument settled, thecombatant touched was considered to be a prisoner until such time ashe might be touched by the hilt of a sword belonging to one of his ownparty, which effected his release and restored to him the full enjoymentof hostile activity. The sabreswere of wood the steeds were imaginary, and both were employed in agame called "bonded pris'ner" by its inventors, Masters Penrod Schofieldand Samuel Williams. The Heart of Marjorie Jonesĭuring the daylight hours of several autumn Saturdays there had beensevere outbreaks of cavalry in the Schofield neighbourhood.
0 kommentar(er)
