The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-05

brain whirling like a:wind mill sail.
Meanwhile the man whom he had como to
rescue. instead of joining in the conflict had,
on the first sign of intervention, leaped aback
and blown again, and yet more urgently and
loudly, on that same shrill-voiced trumpet that
began the alarm. Next moment, indeed his
foes were on him, and he was once more
charging and fleeing, leaping, stabbing, drop
ping to his knee, and using indfferently sword
and dagger, foot and hand, with the same I'M
shaken courage and feverish energy and speed.
But that ear-percing summons had been
heard at last. There was mufed rushing in
the snow and in good hour for Dick, who
saw the sword-points glitter already at his
throat, there poured forth out of the wood
upon both sides a disorderly torrent of mounted
men-at-arms, each cased in iron, and with
visor lowered, each bearing his lance in rest,
or his sword barred and raised, and each carry
ing, so to speak, passenger, in tho shape Of
an archer or page, who leaped one after an
other from their perches, and had presently
double the array.
The original assailants, seeing themselves
outnumbered and surrounded, threw down
their arms without word.
Seize nue. these felows" said the hero of
the trumpet; and when his order had been
obeyed, he drew near to Dick and looked him
in the face.
Dick, returning this scrutiny, was surprised
to find i'll one who had displayed such strength,
skill and energy, lad no older than himself
slightly deformed, with one shoulder higher
than the other, and of pale, painful, and dis
torted countenance.* The eyes, however,
were very clear and bold.
Sir said this lad, Eye came in good time
for me, and none too early"
My lord" returned Dick, with faint
sense that he was in the presence of great
parsonage, "ye are yourself so marvellous
good swordsman that / believe ye had man-
aged them single-handed Howbeit it was
certainly we'll for me that your men delayed
no longer than they did"
va wi N I n1 ha
stranger.
Gwen now my lord" Dick answered, IT
am Ignorant OF whom speak with"
''Is it SOP" asked the other. "And yet We
threw yourself head first into this unequal
BATTLE"
II saw one man valiantly contending against
many replied Dick, "and had thought my
self dishonored not to bear him aid"
A singular sheer played about the young no.
blemans mouth as he made answer:
These are very brave words. but to the
more .essential-are ye Lancaster Or York %
My lord, make no secret; l am clear for
York." Dick answered.
"By the mass!" replied the other, sit is well
for YOU
And so saying, he turned towards one of his
followers.
"Let me see" he continued, in the same
sneering and cruel tones-"let mo see q clean
end oil these brave gentlemen. Truss methem
up"
There were but five survivors Of the attack
ing party. Archers seized them BY the arms;
they were hurried to the borders OF the wood
and each placed below o tree Of suitable di-
me1sion tile rope was adjusted; an archer,
carrying tho end of il, hastily oiambered over
mead and before minute was over, and
without ayyord passing upon either hand, the
fvo men were swinging by the neck
"And now," cried the dcformed leader,
"back to your posts, and when / summon you
next be reader TO attend"
my lord duke" said one man, "beseech
you, tarry not here alone. Keep but hand
full OF lances at your hand"
Fellow" said the duke az have forborne
to chide you for your slowness. Cross me not,
therefore. l trust my hand and arm, for all
that be crooked. Ye were backward when
the trumpet sounded; and We are now too for
ward with your counsels. Bat it is ever so;
last with the lance and first with tongue. Let
it be reversed"
And with gesture that was not without
a sort of dangerous nobility he waved
them off.
The footmen climbed again to their seats
behind the men-at-arms, and the whole party
moved slowly away and disappeared in twenty
different directions, under the cover OF the
forest.
They day was by this time beginning to
break, and the stars to fade. The first gray
glimmer of dawn shone upon the countenances
OF the two young men, who now turned once
more to face each other.
Here" said the duke, Eye have seen my
and ready. But would not have you, for all
Christendom, suppose me thankess. You that
came to my aid with a good sword and n bet
ter courage-uness that ye recoil from my
misshapenesS-come TO my heart"
And so saying, the young leader held out his
arms for an embrace.
In the bottom of his heart Dick already
entertained great terror and some
hatred for the man whom he had
rescued but the invitation was so worded that
il would not have been merely discourteous.
but cruel, to refuse or hesitate; and lie hasten
cd to comply
"And now, my lord duke" he said, when
he had regained his freedom, edo L suppose
Alright? Are ye my Lord Duke Of Glouccs-
ter?'
81 am Richard Of Gloucester" returned the
other, "And you-how call they your"
Dick told him his name, and presented Lord
Foxhams sgnet, which tho duke Immediately
recognized.
aye come too soon," he said; "but why
should | complain? Ye are like me, that was
here at watch two hours before the day. But
this is the first sally of mine arms upon this
adventure, Master Shelton, shall i make or
mar the quality Of my renown. There lie
mine enemies, under two old, skilled captains
-Lisingham and Brackley--well posted for
strength, do believe, but yet upon two sides
without retreat, enclosed betwixt tho sea, tho
harbor and the river. Methinks, Shelton, here
were great blow to be stricken, and we could
strike it silently and suddenly"
II DO thlnk so, indeed" cried DICK, warm
ing.
Have ye my Lord Foxhap's notes?" in
quired the duke.
And then, Dick, having explained how he
was without them for the moment, made him
self bold to offer information every jot as good,
Of his own knowledge.
"Aud Tor mine own part, my lord duke" he
added, tan ye had men enough, / would fall
on even at this present. For, look ye, at the
peep Of day the watches OF the night are over
but by day they keep neither watch nor ward
only scour the outskirts with horscmcn Now,
then, whom the night watch IS already unarm-
ed, and the rest are at their morning cup
now were the time TO break them"
How many do ye countP asked Glouces-
ter
They number not two thousand" Dick re-
piled.
81 have seven hundred in the woods behind
US" said the duke, "sevcn hundred follow
from Kettley, and will be here anon; behind
those, and further. are four hundred more;
and my Lord foxham hath five hundred half
a day from here, at Hollywood. Shall we at
tend their coming, or fall on?"
"My lord" said Dick, "wben ye hanged
these five poor rogues ye did decide the ques-
ton. Churls although they were, in those UNI
easy times they will be lacked and looked for,
and the alarm be given. Therefore, my lord,
If ye do count upon the advantage Of a sur
Richard Crookback would have been really tar
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