is master's footsteps.

"Any time or never!" laughed the patroon, springing into the vehicle.

But as he drove through a bit of wood, wrapped in pleasing reflections,
he received startling proof that the warfare between landlord and
tenants had indeed begun in earnest, for a great stone suddenly
crashed through the window of the vehicle, without, however, injuring
the occupant. Springing from his carriage, Mauville dashed through
the fringe of wood, discharging his revolver at what he fancied was a
fleeing figure. But a fluttering in the trees from the startled birds
was the only result.

Little Thunder was too spry to be caught by even a pursuing bullet.

CHAPTER X

SEALING THE COMPACT

"The show troupe has come to town," said the tall, lank postmaster to
every one who called, and the words passed from mouth to mouth, so
that those who did not witness the arrival were soon aware of it.
Punchinello and his companions never attracted more attention from the
old country peasants than did the chariot and its occupants, as on the
day after their night in the woods they passed through the main
thoroughfare of the village where they were soon to appear.

Children in woolen dresses of red retinet, or in calico vandykes and
aprons, ran after the ponderous vehicle with cries of delight; the
staid, mature contingent of the population shook their heads
disapprovingly, while viewing with wonder the great lumbering coach,
its passengers inside and out, and, behind, the large wagon with its
load of miscellaneous trappings. Now on the stage throne lolled the
bass viol player, even as Jacques assumed the raiment of the Duke of
Aranza, reclining the while in his chair of state. Contentment was
written upon his face, and he was as much a duke or a king, as
Jacques when he swelled like a shirt bleaching in a high wind and
looked burly as a Sunday beadle.

The principal avenue of the village boasted but few prosperous-looking
business establishments. In the general "mixed store," farmers'
implements, groceries, West India goods and even drugs were dispensed.
But the apothecary's trade then had its limitations, homeopathy being
unknown, while calomel, castor oil and rhubarb were mainly in demand,
as well as senna, manna and other bitter concoctions with which both
young and old were freely dosed. The grocer, haberdasher, and
druggist, all rolled into one substantial personage, so blocked the
doorway of his own establishmen