Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-11-20
Sf(isttllaucous,
THE UNKNOWN CHAMPION
by AMOS SHURTLIFF

u
prisoner in Germany, and his brother held
with feeble hand. the reins of usurped au-
thority. Led by tha, romantic spirit
which influenced the chivalry of Christen-
dom to embark in the Crusades, King
Richard, with grand, prncely array OF
warrior knights, had fastened to the Ho
ly Land to aid in wrestling the sepulchre
from the custody of the intidel. AT
length, returning privately through Ger
many, he was treacherousy y seized and
held in close captivity while an immense
sum was demanded for his ransom. The
English realm, long deprived ofthe grind
ing hand Of an efficient ruler. was prey
to rapine and bloodshed. Lawless bar
ons. entrenched in their strongholds, is
sued forth to wage their private feuds, OF
for the purpose of plumber. Law and or
der were unknown, sud everywhere might
made right.
A small number of loyal mobiles were
bestring themselves to raise the ransom
demanded for the prince. Among these
was Hugh de Chester, powerful baron,
whose proud castle lifted its towers in the
vicinity of Sherwood Forest. He had led
a goodly train to Palestine, but the sword
of the Saracen and the pestilonce had done
their works; and but tive esquires had ac'
companied him home. One of these was
his ward, the son of his dearest friend, a
knight without fear and without re.
proach.
Sir Hugh loved well the young Ar.
thur DELAY, and noticed with pleasure
the attachment tha' had sprung up be-
tween his daughter, the Lady Mary, and
the gallant esquire; and, when the baron
departed for the continent, to close those
negotiations which were to release his
lege from foreign prison, he left Arthur
with half dozen sturdy men, alarms to
hold the castle ond protect the ladies'
II, charged him not to venture far from
the walls of De Chester Castle, for many
a lawless band of outlaws secured the
country, and brawls, and even bloody
skirmshes between contending leaders
were frequent.
1t was in disobedience of this com
mand that Arthur, yielding to the impor
tunities of the Lady Mary and her young
sister Margaret, consented to indulge then
i'll a short equestrian excursion in thu
eiehborhood of the castle. 1t was a love
ly morning in early June that the LITTLE
party, consisting of Arthur, the ladies
and four men at arms, clattered over The
draw6ridge and sped away towards the
distant forest of Sherwood.
After making a circuit of several mile'
they had finally turned towards the castle
Arthur rode close to the Lady Marga' et's
side, and was telling thrilling adven
ture he had met with in Palestine. Tht
lady's eyes were raised with wrapt expires
sion to the handsome face of her noble
cavalier, while her ear eagerly caught thu
tones of his voice.
He pictured the Holy City, the horde'
of turbaned fanatics, who fought beneath
the banner OF the crescent; the Christian
knights. who, with steady valor, ROLLED
back the waves of Saracen inidels, all il
colors SO vivi that she seemed to b.
transported to those Eastern lands, ant
to be a witness of those chiva.rc deeds.
They had just enteret grove of loft.
forest trees, when they were startled by
trumpet blast. followed by the hcav.
tramp plng of hoors; and before they coul'
have time to interchange a word. dozel
horseman emerged from by path, an
wheeled into their path directly befor
them. Lady Margaret uttered low or,
of alarm, as she recognized, in the leade
of the band, the reckless Sir Robert Bes
ton, called from his swarthy complexion
the "Black Knight" deadly foe OF he
house.
The young Esquire, with a tightene
rein. spurred his steed to the front OF tn
ladies, while his trusty men at arms rang
ed themselves at his side. All mad
ready their weapons, as Sir Robert ad
vancing from his followers, exclaimed
!, : in loud, coarse tone:
"In good sooth fine party, and one
have long wished to greet; forward, youn
sir, and give us an introduction to yor
fair charge"
q II demand Of you. as knight" r'
= piled Arthur, San unmolested pass iC
|, those ladies. Detain US not!'
"Faith, young sir, like your spiri