Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-01

uown tne path, the sun snOne on seYf
steel sslets, and from time to time, .
the trees opened, Selten and his me
could De seen riding briskly, still bel
upon Sir Daniels mission.
snow, msrk," Dick whispered. "The
De already we'll advanced into the wood
their safety lieth rather contiuuin
Forward. But see ye where this wild
glade runneth down before US, and in To
midst OF II, these two score trees max
Ike an fslanof There were their safety
An they but come sound as far IS that,
Will make shift TO warn them. But m
nears misgiveth me; they are but seve
sgainss so many, and they but carr
cross bows. The long bow, Jack, vii
nave the uDpermost ever"
Selden and his men in the meanwhile
nad come to very open, healthy portion
OF the way, where but single tongue O
forest ran down to join the road. The,
were but just abreast of this, when al
arrow shone flying. O1e OF the m
threw up his arms, his horse renref, AND
both fell and struggled together in 1
mass. Even from where the boys la,
they could hear the rumor OF the mems
voices crying out; they could see ths
ANACSo ~ sGSAbSt anu
presently, as the troop began te
recover from their first surprise, one
l low beginning to dismount. A Sec
oDd arrow from somewhat further CT
glanced in a wide arch; second rider
bit the dust. The man who was dis
mounting, lost hold upon the rein, and
his horse fed galloping, snd dragged him
BY the foot along the ro,d, humping from
stone to stone, and battered by the fleeing
hoofs. Thefour who still kept the saddle in.
stantly broke and scattered; one wheeled
and rode, shriekipg, towards the ferry;
the other three, with loose rein and flying
rslment, came gallopiug up the 70 d from
Tunstsll. From every clump they passed
an arrow sped. Soon q horse fell, but
the rider found his feet and continued to
pursue his comrades till q second shot
him. Another man fell; then
another horse; out Of the whole troop
there WAS but one fellow left, and he on
foot; only, in different directions, the
noise OF the galloping Of three riderless
horses was dying fast into the distance.
All this time not one of the ASSISTANTS
had for a moment shown himself. Here
and there along the path, horse or man
rolled, undespatched, in his agony; but
no merciiul enemy broke cover to put
them from their pain.
The solitary survivor stood bewildt red
in the road beside his fallen charger He
had come the length Ct that broad glade,
with the island of timber, pointed out by
Dick. He was not, perhaps, five hundred
yards from where the boys lay hidden;
,nd they could see him plainly, looking
to and fro in deadly expectation. But
nothing came; and the man began to
pluck up his courage, and suddenly IN
5luug ana bent his bow At the same
lime, by something in his action, Dick
recognjz I'd Selden.
At this offer of resistance, from all
about him in the covert Of the woods
there went up the sound of laughter. A
score OF men, at least, for this WAS the
very thickest of the smoush, ioined Ia
! is cruel and untimely mirth. Then an
arrow glanced over Selden's shoulder;
md then he leaped and ran a little back.
Another dart stuck quiveripg st his heel
He made for the cover. A third shaft
capped out right in his face, and fell short
n front Of him. And then the laughte
vas repeated loudly, rising and re.echo-
ng from diff 3rent thlckets.
1t was plain that his asssilapts were but
batting him, IS men, in those days, bsited
ne poor bull, or as the cat still tribes with
he mouse. Selden began to understand;
lie uttered loud roar of anger, Shout
Tered his cross. bow, and sent quarrel
It venture into the wood. Chance fay-
red him, for slight cry responded.
Then, throwing down his weapon, Selden
,eesn to run before him up the glsde,
nd almost in straight line for Dick and
dstchsm.
The companion Of the Black Arrow
ow began to shoot at him In earnest,
,ut they were properly served; their
h6Dce had past; most Of them had now
o shoot against the sun; and SaIden, IS
e ran, rounded from side to side to
I'll and deceive their aim. Best of sill, |
y turning up the glade he had defeated
IL their preparations; there were no
1arksmen posted higher up than the one
7hom he had Just killed or wounded; and
be confusion of the fofesters' counsels
Don became apparent. A whistle sounded |
hrice, and then again twice. 1t was re-
Gated from another qu,rter. The woods |
u SASO bNSalhC iuIl ku6 SUUuO OF
eople bursting through the underwood. !
Sslden was within fifty yards of the
Ids, when an arrow struck him and he |
sll. He was up again, indeed, upon the |
,stent; but now he ran staggering, and, |
Ike bind man, turned aside from his |
ERECTION.
Dick leaped to his feet and waved to
i'm.
"Here!" he cried. "This way! here is
elpl Nsy, run, fsllow-runi"
But just then second arrow struck
eden in the shoulder, between the
lates of his brigsndine, and, piercing
trough his jack, brought him, like q
tone, to earth.
30, the poor hearth" cried Mstcham,
18th clasped hands.
And Dick stood petrifed upon the hill,
mark for archery.
Ten to one he had speedily been shot
for the foresters were furious with
lemselves, and taken unawares by
ick's appearance In the rear of their
osition-5ut instantly, out Of q quarter
the wood surprisingly near to the two
de, stentorian voice arose, the voice
e lie Duckworth.
"Hold!" it roared. "Shoot notf Take
m olive? Il Is young Shelton-Harry,s
m"
And Immediately after shrJl whistle
'unded several times, and was sgain
ken up and repeated farther OF. The
histle, it appeared, was John Amend
l's battle trumpet, by which he publish.
his directions.
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