Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-08-22
CHAPTER XVI.
TIE BATTLE OF srAMFoRD HEATH.


useless to put Molly beyond walk; and. he.
sides, the marc was new from her days our
ney. This troubled me the less 10y reason OF
the moon now almost at the FUN, and the
extrcmo whiteuass Of the ronl uudcrfoot. So
that there was no fear of going astrny. And
Billy engaged that 10y sunrise we should he i'll
sight OF the kings troops.
Nay, jack he said, when by signs l Of
tered hin to ride and tie; "ucver rode o
horseback but once, and that pom Parsor
Spinks his red mare ut Bidctord. Par-on
those days was courtm' too widow Hamhly,
over TO Torrington; an l. that wanted to
fare to BarnSiaple spent that mornin an
better part o tn afternoon clawin' Off Tor
riugtop. And til end was the larboard hal
yards broke, an the mare jbcd, an to Tor.
rington ! went before tue wind, wi an un-
soemly bloody nose. 'Lud cries the widow.
IT'S the wrong man 'pon the right horse"
Pardon, mistress, says !, the man is well
enow, but pom the wrong horse for sure"
We had some trouble a5 Launceston gate,
whore were n few burgers posted for SEN
tries, and, | could see, ready to take fright
at their own shadows. But Billy gave the
watchword Gone and ally, and presently
they lot Us through, As we passed along tho
street we marked Light in eyery window
almost though twas near midnight, ard the
people moving about behind their curtains.
There were groups too, in the dark door
ways, gathered there discussing. that eyed us
az we went by, and answered Billy's Good
night, honest men' very hoarse and doubt
fully.
But when we We're beyond the town, and
between hedges again, | think | must have
dozed of in my saddle. For, though this was
road full of shnrp memories, being the last
] had travelled with Della, have no remem-
brance to have felt them or, indeed, of not
ing aught but the fresh night air and the
constellation of the Bear blazing ahead, and
Billy's voice resonant beside NE.
And after this can recall passing the tower
of Marham church, with the puling Sky be
hind il aud some birds chattering in the
carved courses; and soon, it seemed, felt
Billy's grip on my knee, and opened my eyes
to see his finger pointing
We stood on ridge above a hollow vale
into which he sun, though now bright. did
not yet pierce but passing over to a high,
conica! hill beyond, slnoto level on line after
line of white teuts-the prcttiest sight Twas
the enemy there encampod ON The TOP and
some way down the sides, the smoke of their
tlHmp.cI watch fires still curling among the
gorse bushes, heard their trumpetS calling
and drums beating TO arms for though,
glnnciug back at the sun, judged it TO be
hardly past 4 in the morninc, yet already the
slopes were moving like an ant hlLl-the rcgi-
ments gathering, arms flashing, horsamen
gallopinS to and iro and the captains shout
ing their commands In the distance this
had sweet and cheerful sound, no moro dis
quoting than plow boy calling to his team
Looking down into the valley at our feet,
at'first | saw no sign of our own troops--only
the roofs of little town, with overmuch
smoke spread above it, like a morning mist
But here also henTd The church bells clash
ing and drum beating, and presently spied
CLEAN OF arms down among the trees, and
then regiment Of foot moving westward
along the base Of the hill Twas evident the
battle wa. at hand and we quickened our
pace down into the street.
IL lay on the slope, and midway down we
passed. some watch fros burned out. and then
& soldier on two running and fastening their
strap; and last little child that seemed wild
with the JOY Of living amid great events, but
led Us pretty straight 10 the sign Of The
Tree" which indeed was the only tavern,
Ii stood some way back from the street,
with a great elm before the porch where 10y
q liable sat two men, with tankurda beside
them, and a small company of grooms and
soldiers standing round. Both mou were
more than ordinary toll and soldier like; ouly
tAe bigger wore scarlet cloak, very richly
laced, and was shouting orders TO his mon
while the other, dressed in plain buff suit anC
jack ho"t", hat It map spread before him
which he studied very aucntNely, writing
therein with quill Zen.
'Nn%' Il plague have We hereF cries the
big man a W. drew Lp.
"E-..uits. If it please Won, sir, - said !, dis
tH hat /,
iusa. NJ tone Offended Me.
"%Ntl The boy speaks as if he We're
regiment grows he, half aloud. Cams
N.nt"
"ruat with your leave sir, is what l an
come To try
"Aul thi, rascal?' lie turned on Billy.
EIlv heard not word, OF course, yet an
rUerad teuaily:
"WAy, since your honor is so pleasant
m!u2ci--e: it De cider
Nuw the first effect OF this. delivered wat
ali id'rrr OF lung was 10 make IKE big man 81
bolt upright and staring; recovering speech
however, he broke into yolley Of blasphe
nous curses.
All this while tine man in buff had scare
lifted ms eyes OF tie map. But now he look
up-and ! saw at the first glance thar the tw
men hated each other.
Il Think sad he, quietly, my Lor
Mohun Ia, forgot to ASK the gentleman
Nance
Ny name is Marvel sir-John Marvel"
answered him with "A bow.
Hey! and, dropping his pen, he start
up and grasps my hand--"Then tits you
have never thanked for his gracious majesty
letter"
1.-The Gen, Hoptonr' cried l.
Even 40, sir Ny lord" be went on, sti