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Show 98 TilE LILY AND TilE TOTE~!. to make him nerveless. Tho surprise deprived him of resource, while his guilty conscience enfeebled his arm, and took all courage from his soul. llis mlltch-lock was already discharged. 'l'ho coutea1~ dt d!asst wns at his side ; but, before this could be drnwn, he must be hewn down by the already uplifted weapon of his foe. Besides, even if drawn, what could he hope, by its employment, ngainst the superior muscle and vigor of Lach:me ? These thoughts passed with a lightning-like rapidity through tl;C brain of Albert. Ho felt tl1at he lmd met his fate ! llo shruuk back from its encounter, and sent up a feeble but a painful cry for his creature,-" Pierre Renaud !" "Ha! ha ! you cry for him in vain!" was tho mocking answer of Lnchane. "Renaud, that miserable villain-that wretch after thy own heart and fashion-hath quite 118 much need of thee as thou of him ! Y e will serve each other never more to tho prejudice of better men. IIark ! hear you not? Even now they arc dealing with him!" And, sure enough, even ns he spoke, tl1c screams of ono in mortal terror, interrupted by sovcral heavy blows in quick succcs· sion, seemed to confirm the truth of what Lachane had spoken. In that fcarflll moment Albert remembered the words, now fllll of meaning, which Nicholas Barre had spoken while they set forth. The hunter had indeed become the hunted. Lachane gave him little time for meditation. " They l1ave done with him! Prepare! To your knees, Cap· tain Albert! I give you time to make your peace with Godsuch time as you gave my poor Gucrnncbe! Prepare!" But, though Albert had not courage for combat, he yet found strength enough for flight. He wa.s slight of form, small, nnd tolerably swift of foot. Flinging his now U&Clcss firclook to the LACIIANE1 Til£ DELIVERER. 99 ground, he suddenly darted off through the forests, with a degree o~ energy and spiz·it wllicb it tasked all the efforts of the less WJC!dy frame of Laclw.ne to npproaelz. J~ifc and death were on the event, nnd Albert succeeded in gnining the bench where tho boat had been len before he was OYertaken. But Lamotte to whon~ tho boat had been given in charge, pushed off, wit~ a. mookzng yell of laughter, at his npproll.Ch! llis cries for succor were unheeded. Lamotte himself would havo slain the fugitive b~t that he knew Lachnne had claimed for himself this pri\'ilcgc. ll1s spear had been uplifted as Albert drew nigh the water, but the shout of Lachane, emerging from the woods, warned him to desist. .IIe used tlze weapon to push the pinnace into deep water, leavmg Albert to his fate! "Save me, I~amotte !"was the prayer, of the tyrant in his desperation, urged with every promise that he fancied mig11t prove potent with the soldier. Dut few moments were allowed him for entreaty, and they 'vcre unavailing. Lamotte contented himself with looking on the event, ready to finish with his spear what Lnchanc migbt leave undone. Albert gazed around lzim, and a!l Lachanc came, with one sl1riek of terror, darted into tho sea. The avenger was close behind him. Tho wat<'r rose to tho wuist a.nd finally to the neck of the fugitive. lle turned in supplica.~~ on, only to receil·e the stroke. The steel entered his shoulder, JUSt below tho neck. He staggered and fell forwards upon the slayer. The blade snapped in the fall, and the wounded man sunk down irretrievably beneath the waters. Laehane raised tho fragment of his sword to Heaven, while, with something of a. Uoman fer;or, he ejaculated- " Guernache! dear friend, behold! the hand of Lachane bath avenged thee upon t.by murderer!" |
