Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-13
Book 1.-THE MOat House.
CHAPTER I
DICK ASKS QUESTIONS.

CHAPTER I.
DICK ASKS QUESTIONS.
The Moat House stood not far from the
rough forest road. Externally, 1t was g
compact rectangle, Of red stone, flsrked
at each corner by round tower, pierced
for archery, ana battlemented al the top.
Within, it enclosed narrow court. The
Moat was perhaps twelve feet wide,
crossed by q single drawbridge. 1t WAS
supplied with water by q trench leading
to forest pool, and commanded, through
| its whole length, from the battlements Of
| the two sou hern towers. And except
that one or two tall and thick trees had
| been suffered TO remain within hsIf q
boTshot OF the walls, the house was in &
good posture for defence.
In the court, Dick found part of the
garrison, busy with preparations for de-
tense, and gloomily discussing the
chances Of g siege. Some were making
arrows, some sharpening swords that had
long been disused; but even as they
worked, they shook their hesds.
Twelve of Sir Daniels party had es-
capped the battle, run the gauntlet through
the wood, and come Give to the Mat
house. But out of this dozen, three had
been grsvelv wounded: two at Rising
ham in the disorder of the rout, one by
John Amend-All's msrksmen az he
crossed the forest. This raised the force
Of the garrison, counting Hatch, Sir
Daniel, and youpg Shelton, to twenty
two effective men. And more might be
continually expected TO arrive. But the
spirits of 81 hsd been shaken by
series OF grisly incidents. at
different periods Of the evening and
the night, no fewer than seven riderless
horses hsd come netghing in terror TO
the gate. Two were from Selden's troop;
five belonged to men who had ridden
with Sir Daniel to the field. Lsstly,
little before dawn, spesrmsn had come
staggering to the most side, pierced by
three SHOWS; even as they carried him
in, his spirit had departed; but by the
words that he uttered in his agcny, he
must have been the lsst survivor CT a
considerable Company Of men.
1t was the terror Of the Black Arrow
that oppressed mems spirits. For their
open foes Of the party of York, in these
most changing times, they felt but
8 fsr-awsy concern. "Tne world"
as people said in those days, "might
change again" before harm came. But
for their neighbors in the wood they
trembled. II was not Sir Daniel alone
who WAS mark for hatred. HIS men,
conscious Of impunity, had carried them
selves cruelty through all the country.
Harsh commands had been harshlY exc
cuted, and Of the little band inst now sat
talking IL the court, there w.s not one
but lad been guilty Of some act Of OPP
preston or bsrbaritY. And now by the
fortune Of war Sir Daniel had become
powerless to protect his instruments;
new, by the Issue of some hours Of battle,
at which many of them hsd not been pres
ent, they had all bec"me punishable trail
tors TO the stste, outside the buckler of
the law, shrunken company in poor
fortress thst was hardly tepsbie, and ex-
posed upon all sides to the Just resent
ment Of their victims.
Hatch himself showed, under his sun
brown, the pallor of anxiety; snd Uhei
he had taken Dick aside snd learned the
fate of Selden, he fell on q stone bench
and fairly wept. The others, from where
they sat on stools or doorsteps in the
sunny angle of the court, looked at him
with wonder snd alarm, but none VEN
tured to inquire the cause Of his emotion
"Nsy, Master Shelton" said Hatch st
last-"nsy, but what said 1? We shall
all go. Selden wss man Of his hands;
he was like brother to me. Well, he
has gone second; well, we shall all fol
lowl For what said their knave rhyme?
"A black arrow in each black hesrt.'
Was 1t not so it went? Appleyard, S l.
den, Smith, old Humphrey gone; and
there lieth poor John Carter, crying, poor
sinner, for the priest"
Dick gave ear. Out of 8 low window
hard by where they were talking, grosns
and murmurs came to his ear.
"Lieth he there?" he asked.
Gay, in the second pcrter's chamber"
answered Hatch. ave could not bear
him further, soul and body were so bit
terry at odds. At every step we lifted
him he thought to wend. But now, me-
thinks, 1t is the soul that suffereth. Ever
for the priest he crieth, snt Sir Oliver,
Wot not why. still cometh not. Twill be
s long shritt, but poor Appleyard and
poor Selden, they had none"
Dick stopped to the window and looked
in. The little cell was low and dark, but
he could make out the wounded soldier
lying meaning on his pallet.
"Carter, poor friend, how goeth it?"
he asked.
-"Mester She,ton," returned the nan in
an excited whisper, "for the dear light OF
heaven, bring the priest. Alack, 1 am
sped; an brought very low down; my
hurt is to the death. Ye may do me no |
more service; this shall he the last. Now |
for my poor SOUPS interest sId IS loyal |
gentleman, bestir you; for l have that
matter on my conscience that shall drag
ne Deep"
BE groaned and Dick heard the grating
If his teeth, whether in pain or terror"
just then Sir Daniel appeared upon the