The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-12


TO the nearest house before the bells began to
ring backward from the steeple.
The young duke ground his teeth together.
BY these so early signals of alarm he feared to
find his enemies prepared; and if he failed to
gain a footing in the town, he knew that his
small party would soon be broken and exter-
minated in the open.
In the town, however, the Lancastrans were
far from being'in so good posture. 1t was as
Dick said. The night guard had already
DOTTED their harness the rest were still hang
'ing-unlatched, Embraced, all unprepared for
battle about their quarters; and in the whole
of Shoreby there were not, perhaps. fifty men
full armed, or fifty chargers ready to be
mounted.
The beating of the bells, the terrifying
summons of men who ran about the streets
crying and beating upon the doors, aroused in
an incredibly short space at least two score out
of that half hundred. These got speedily to
horse, and, the alarm still flying wild and con-
trary, galloped in different directions.
Thus it befell that, when Richard of Glou-
-cester reached the first house of Shoreby, he
was met in the mouth of the street by mere
handful of lances, whom he swept before his
onset as the storm chases the bark.
A hundred PAGES into the town, Dick Shelton
touched the dukes arm; the duke, in answer,
gathered his reins, put the shrill trumpet
so his mouth, and blowing con-
certed point, turned to the right hand out of
the direct advance. Swerving like a single
rider, his whole command turned after him,
and, still at the full gallop of the chargers,
swept up the narrow bye-street. Only the last
score of riders drew rein and faced about in
the entrance the footmen, whom they carried
behind them, leaped at the same instant to the
earth, and began, some to bend their bows,
and others to break into and secure the houses
upon either hand.
Surprised at this sudden change of direction,
do tod hxyf tofht of hO
guard, the few Lancastrians, after momenta-
nv consultation, turned and rode farther into
town to seek for reinforcements.
The quarter Of the town upon which, by the
advice of Dick, Richard of Gloucester had
now seized, consisted OF five small streets of
poor and ill-inhabted houses occupying very
gentle eminence, and lying open towards the
back.
The five streets being each secured by good
guard, the reserve would thus occupy the cen
Ger, out of shot, and yet ready to carry aid
wherever it was needed.
Such was the poorness of the neighborhood
that none of the Lancastrian lords, and but
few of their retainers, had been lodged therein,
and the inhabitants, with one accord deserted
their houses and fled, squalling along the
streets or over garden walls.
In the centre, where the five ways all met,
somewhat ill-favored alehouse displayed the
sign of the Chequers; and here the duke of
Gloucester chose his headquarters for the
day.
10 Dick he assigned the guard OIL one OF the
Eve streets.
go" he said, twin your spurs. Win glory
FOR me one Richard for another. l tell you,
If l rise, We shall rise by the same ladder. Co."
he added, shaking him by the hand.
But, as soon as Dick was gone, he turned to
3 little shabby archer at his elbow,
go, DuttOn, and that right speedily" he
added. "Follow that lad. If We find him faith
full, we answer for his safety, head for head.
Woe, unto you, if We return without him But
no ha fol fpp Onn mis-
doubt hiIn--stab him from behind"
In the meanwhile Dick fastened to secure
his post. The street he had TO guard was very
narrow, and closely lined with houses, which
projected and oyerhung the roadway; but,
narrow and dark as it was, since it opened
upon the market-place of the town, the main
issue of the battle would probably fall to be de-
ocided on that spot.
fleeing in disorder; but there was as yet no
sign of any foelnan ready TO attack, and Dick
judged he had some time before him TO make
ready his defense.
The two houses at the end stood deserted
with open doors, as the inhabitants had left
them in their flight and from these he had
the furniture hastily tossed forth and
piled into barrier in the entry of the lane.
A hundred men were placed at his disposal,
and of these he threw the more part into the
houses, where they might lie in shelter
and deliver their arrows from the windows.
With the rest, under his own immediate eye,
he lined the baTrlcade.
Meanwhile the utmost upToar and confusion
had continued to prevail throughout the town;
and what with the hurried clashing OF bells,
the sounding OF trumpets, the swift movement
of bodies of horses, the cries Of tie command
ers, and the shrieHs Of women, the noise was
almost dcafening to the ear. Presently little
by little, the tumult began TO sGbside; and
soon otter, files Of men in armour and bodies Of
archers began to assemble and form in line OF
battle in tie market place.
A large portion of this body were in murrey
and blue, and in the mounted knight who or
dered their array Dick recognized Sir Daniel
Brackley.
Then there befell a long pause which was
followed by the almost simultaneous sounding
of four trumpets from four different quarters
of the town. A fifth rang in answer from the
marketplace, and at the same moment the
Giles began to move and a shower Of arrows