Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-06-03
bis garments, armed himself once more
like gentleman, and set forth ,or Law
laaata dan In Aha knraQk Tharo IL ha

his garments, armed himself once NOR
like gentleman, and set forth ior Law
less's den in the forest. There, 1t will b
, remembered, he had left Lord Foxham'
papers; and to get these and be back il
time for the rryst with the young Dus'
OF Gloucester could only be managed b.
al early start and the most Vigorous
walking.
The ffoss was more rigorous than ever
| the cir MINDLESS and oIy, aud singing Il
the hostril. The mon had gone down
but the stars were Still bright and umer.
Gus, and the reflection from the snow was
clear and cheerful. There WAS no need
for . lszap to walk by; nor, in that still
but ringing sir, the least temptation to
delay.
Dick had crossed the greater p.rt O.
the open ground between Shoreby and
the forest, and had reached the bottom OF
the little hill, some hundred yards below
the Cross Of 81. Bride, when, through the
stiffness OF the black morn, there rsug
forth the note OF q Trumpet, SO ehrill,
clear, ana piercing that he thought he
had never heard the match Of 1t for audi
bility. It WAS blown once, and then hur-
riedly second time; and then the clash
OF steel succeeded.
At this young Shelton pricked his ears,
and drawing his swoyd, ran forward up
the hill.
Presently he came in sight OF the cross,
aud WIS aware Of most farce encounter
raging On the rosd before it. There were
seven or eight assailants, and but one
to keep head against them; put
so active and deXterous was this
one, so desperately did he charge and
scatter MS opponents, 80 deity keep his
footing on the ice, thss already, before
Dick could intervene, he had slain one,
wounded another, and KEPT the whole in
check
Ssill, 1t was by miracle thst he con-
unued his deterca, and st any moment
any accident, the les5t slip OF foot or
error If hsnd, his life would be forfeit.
''Hold We well, sir! Here is helpi"'
cried Richard; and forgetting that he was
alone, and thst the cry was somewhat ir-
regular. "To the Arrow! to the Arrow!"
he shouted, as he fell upon the rear of the
ASSISTANTS.
These were stout fellows $50, for they
gave not an inch a. this surprise, but
faced about and fell with astonishing fury
upon Dick. Four sgsinst one, the steel
flashed ABOUT him IN the starlight; the
sparks flew fercely; one Of the men op-
posed to him fell-in the stir Of the light
he hardly knew why; then he himself was
struck across the head and though the
steel cap below his hood protected him,
the blow beat him down upon one knee,
with brain whirling like windmill ssil
Meanwhile, the msn whom he had coma
to ruscue instead Of Dining In the confist
had on the 6rst sign of intervention lespea
aback and blown egsin and yet more ur-
gently snd loudly on that same shrill-
voiced trumpet that began the aisrm.
Next moment, indeed, his foes
were on him, and he wss once rore
charging and fleeing, leaping, stabbing,
dropping to his knee ard using indiffor-
emily sword and dagger, foot and hand,
with the same unshsken courage and
feverish energy and speed.
But thst ear piercing summons bad
b zen heard 1T last. There was a null ID
rushing in the snow; and In q good hour
for Dick, who saw the sword-point glitter
alresdy at his throat, there poured forth
out OF the wood upon both sides disor-
Derby torrent of mounted men-stsrms,
each cased In iron, and with VISOR low
cred, each bearing his lsnce in rest or his
sword barred sud raised, and each carry
ing, SO TO speak, passenger in the shspe
OF an archer or psge, who lesped one
sitter smother from their perehes AM had
presently doubled tbs array.
The originsl ASSISTANTS, seeing them
selves outnumbeTed and surrounded,
threw down their arms without s word
"Seize me these FELLOWSHIP eaid the
horo of the trumpet: and when his order
had been oaoyed ne drew near to Dick
and looked him in the face.
Dick, returning his sc unity, WAS much
surprised to hnd In one VINO had displayed
such strength, skill sud energy, {. lad no
older than himself-slightly deformed,
with one shoulder higher than the other,
and Of pale, painful and distorted
counter nnce.' The eyes, however, we're
very clear and bold.
"Sir," said this lad, Eye csme in good
time for me, and nore too esrly."
"My iord," returned Dick, with faint
sense that he was in the presence Of
great personsge, "ye ara yourself so msr
velous good sWorasman tnat believe ye
had managed them single-handed. How
belt, it was certainly well for me thst
your men delayed NO longer than they
did,
"How knew ye Who l WASP" demanded
the stranger.
even now, my lord" Dick answered,
az am ignorant of whom speak with"
ISIS it eo?" asked the other. Sand yet
ye threw yourself head first into this IN
equal battle"
81 saw one msn YalisntlY contendipg
against many" replied Dick, ia hsd
thought myself dishonoured not to bear
him sid"
a singular sheer played about the young
nobleman's mouth IS he made answer:
"These are very brave words. But to
the more essential-are ye,Lsncsster or
York;"
"My Lord, make NO secret; am clear
for YORK." Dick answered.
"By the msss!" replied the other, "it
is well for you "
And SO saying, he turned towards one
OF his followers. "Let me see," ne con-
tinusd, in the same sneering and cruel
tones-"let me see clean end Of these
brave gentlemen. Truss me them up"
There were but Eve survivors Of the
attacking party. Archers seized them by
the arms; they were hurried to the Dor
ders of the wood, snd each place below
tree OF suitable dimension; tie rope was
adjusted; an archer, carrying the end OF
it, hastily clambered overhead; ana be-
fore minute was over, aud without