Their difficulties seemed to be increasing,
for at this point something seemed to go wrong with the orchestra.
The 'cello appeared to be wandering aimlessly up and down the scale,
occasionally picking up the tune with animation, and then dropping it.
As Billy saw me approaching, he drew himself up with great solemnity,
gravely winked at me, and said--
'Shlipped a cog, Mishter Connor! Mosh hunfortunate! Beauchiful
hinstrument, but shlips a cog. Mosh hunfortunate!'
And he wagged his little head sagely, playing all the while for dear
life, now second and now lead.
Poor Billy! I pitied him, but I thought chiefly of the beautiful, eager
face that leaned towards him the night the League was made, and of the
bright voice that said, 'You'll sign with me, Billy?' and it seemed to
me a cruel deed to make him lose his grip of life and hope; for this is
what the pledge meant to him.
While I was trying to get Billy away to some safe place, I heard a
great shouting in the direction of the bar, followed by trampling and
scuffling of feet in the passage-way.
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