The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-19
ROGER DUTTON; N;OR, THE TRUE
PROPHECY.

1
Rags and tatters you will find enough
in the fair, my lord," cried Allan; 6 but
stout arms under lhem.''
"'I'is what we want! It's what we want 70
cried Roger Dut.on. "By heaven! am
grown superstitious, and with that mans
prophecy to back us, would rather have
my men in rags and tatters than hauberks
and gambesons. Come, Allan, come! Now
my lord, call out ten men-at arms and
)trumpet--'lis all well take Of thee. We
scorn your steel clad fellows, whom no
blow can reach. By my life! I'll ride in
my cloak and jerkin. Ho! bring me out
q horse there"
You shall have them-you shall have
them," cried De Lacy. q God speed you,
gay Roger! Thou art Just the man to run
through life with lance in his hand, and
conquer with small means. Call me ont
the first ten ready there, who wish to 90
with Roger Duttonp' sa. N.
Every man in the court started forward;
and as it was needful TO make choice. Ro-
ger Dutlon fixed upon every second man,
and then exclaimed, g Now let us forward!
the horses and arms can come after to the
edge Of the fair. Heavens benson on thee,
pretty Marian ! take thy husband from
thee even in the bridal hour; but well
bring him back with honor, never f.arp'
Marian, it must be owned, looked some
what rueful, but old De Lacy chucked her
under the chin, crying,
!" Come girl, come-don't be sad, I'll
console thee.o > 11a
Allan gave her one warm embrace and
one hearty kiss and the whole castle seem
ed to be infected with the light, daring spir-
it of gay Roger Dutton, assembled round
the gate as he and his companions passed
out, and gave them loud long cheer that
echoed down the fair
1t was just the hour of dinner when
Dutton and his companions approached
the outer booths, and most of the merry
folks there collected were revellng and
singing within. A number of boys, how
ever, were on the outside, to watch the
stalls, to see that no ore stole the merchan-
disc, and when their eyes fell upon the
young noble,nan, they instantly began to
shout with the true eagerness and strong
lungs of youth, "Roger Dutton! Roger
Dutton! Long live gay Roger Dutton, the
minstreI's friend"
The sound reached the interior of the
various booths and wooden houses where
some were enjoying their solitary meal and
their hour of repose; and some were drink
ing, talking, and singing, in company Sc
veral people heard the sounds distinctly,
and made out what they were; but others
only heard shout, and fancied that some
accident had happened. All ran out, how
ever, who were within ear-shot, and long
line of curious fac s. in every sort of strange
head-dresses that it is possible to conceive,
from the Armenian high cap, to the Flem-
ish skimming dish, were prouuded along
the line of street up which Roger Dutlon
was gazing. 3
The first man who came near him was
cobler, and he apr cached with the usual
benediction of "God bless thee, gay Roger
Dutton! What moves thy light heart
now +" t@
"Hark ye, my merry men-hark ye !"
cried Roger Dutton, raising his voice in
loud tone; "Ranulph, good Earl of Chester,
is besieged n Rothelan Castle by rahble
" 'CiShhCH3 Vic sCutI vi VIC
and Roger Du,ton is a.foot in his hose and
jerkin, to help the good Earl, and to beat
back the Welsh. Who will come with Ro-
ger Dutton at his need y"
81 will" cried the cobber, putting back
into his shop the wooden platter which he
had brought out'in his hand; II have got
sheaf of arrows and bows
"What's The matter what's the matter I"
cried the fiddler, Roger Dutoa's first friend
IN the fair, who now came running down
at full speed; 81 heard Roger Dutton's
name 10
"Here he is here he is y shouted the
boys. "Here's gay Roger Du,ton Long
live gay Roger Dulton \"
"Come fiddler" cried Roger, ss,hou shalt
| fight for us likewise"
eight for thee 7" cried the fiddler-"that
will, and fiddle for thee too. All the fid-
dlers will fight for thee. am ready who
shall we fight against John Glanvile 20
"No, no." cried Allan, the harper, " the
Dutton is going to fight the Welsh in his
jerkin and hose, and to deliver the good
Earle Ranulph, besieged 10 Rothelan. Let
such men come with us as wil-we want
none but the willing"
.We'l all come! we'll all come!, shout.