The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-18
ROMANCE.---ROGER DUTTON; OR
THE TRUE PROPHECY.
BY G. P. II. JAMES,

|
| BY G. p. r. JAMEs,)
.author Of "Darnley," "Richelieu," "Ihe Rob
ber," MARY Of Burgundy" &c.
CHAPTER Nv.
THE MUSTER.
Roger Dutton reached the gates an hour
before sunset, and found the good De Lacy
playing at quoits with some of the house
hold in the castle yard. Allan, the harper,
was with the rest, and much did his strength
and skill seem 10 surprise the old Lord
A Hen had just delivered quot, when gay
Roger Dutton rode through the gate, and
al that moment De Lacy was excIaiming--
"Do that three times, and thou shalt wed
her tomorrow in the castle chapel, let who
will say nay. BY the bones of St. Luke |!
thou shalt have farm in soccage with her
that shall make thy father leap to SEQ her.
Do that three times, say -
.Your word is pledged my lord Z" cried
Allan. "Wish me good luck, Marian -
Now, then, to win !! !" and, stretching forth
his arm, poising well the iron round while
Marian blushed like a rose, he pitched it,
with strong and unerring aim, to the de-
sired spot, amid shout Of graduation from
the frank soldiery Again, and again, he
did it, without the variation of d1gger's
breadth; and the old Lord, full of his bluff
enthusiasm, took him in his arms, and hug
ged him, exclaiming-'.Thou shalt have
her 'h,u shalt have her, and the farm, too!
A bridal bridal, K ,ger Dntton!'
"Wouid it were mine 7" said Dulton
with sigh.
swell, my boy" cried the Constable,
"thine will be soon enough. What is it
stops thee? make no objection. She may
be thine his day week, if thou and she can
agree about it,"
Let not the reader think that this is an
exaggerated picture of those times. Many
more serious things than wedding have
been concluded even more quickly in the
days we speak Of, and countries have been
plunged in war for half century for less
matters than game of qunts. Well sa-
tisfed, however, as Roger Dutton-well
satisfied, too, " ere Allan and his bride; and
when noon of the next day approached, the
old Lord Constable appeared at the altar in
the ichapel as father to fair Marian, while
Roger Dutton stood beside the young har-
per, and priest with book between them.
The irrevocabe words were spoken, the
ring was on the finger, and Allan and Mari
an were man and wife, with no fear of
courts of chancery before their eyes. The
bridal party were walking down the aisle
toward the door-the dinner was already
smoking in the hal--laughter and merri-
ment shook the old oaken roof of the chap
Ell, when suddenly, the blast of trumpet
was heard at the castle gate, and one mo-
ment after, as De Lacy and the rest issued
forth into the court, heated dusty horse
man rode in and sprang to the ground, with
letters in his hand.
"What news, Walier' What news from
Rothelan ?" demanded De Lacy eagerly,
for there was that in the mans look which
bespoke danger as well as haste.
"What news :" asked Roger Dutton,
not less anxiously.
"Cold tidings my good lords," replied
the messenger. " My comrade has not
reached you, then' He's gone, poor fel-
low! Me they chased four miles"
"Who who 7" exclaimed the constable.
"Light Of my eyes the man thinks we are
conjurers, 10 read his meaning without
words. Who, say. Give me the letters"
"There, my lord" replied the messen-
ger, giving the packet that he carried.
: Rothelan is invested by the Welshmen-
full ten thousand.n
NonsenseW exclaimed De Lacy
There's not ten thousand Welshmen in
the world Read, Roger read! | never
could make much of il, and now my eyes
are somewhat blind with age. What says
our good brother-in-law Z"
Sad tidngs, noble lord," replied Roger
Dutton.
Z" He is, indeed, hesieged in Roh4lan. by
Large force Of Welsh. Scanty provisions
has he, and smai store of arms. He does
beseech you, send hun instant help-they
pour against his bsttlements like hail; and
he has scarce force enough to guard the
walls by day, with few 10 spare for need
fll rest"
"Mary, Mother! this is an evil chance!''
cried The old lord, " and have not score
Of men to spare. How many are there,
Roger :"
j ''IIe does not say, my lord," replied
Dutton. 6 Yes, stay-he does Some
six or seven thousand angry Welshmeu he
ca,ls them-six or seven thousand -