The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-28
CHAPTER ".

TAKE THE ROAD.
! So pulled up was by the condesce11sion of
/ the two princes and my head so busy with
/ big thoughts that not till ! was over the
! bridges AMI climbing the high ground beyond
/ South Hincksey, with a shrewd northeast
wind at my back, could l spare time for
second backward look. By this the city lay
spread at my feet, very delicate and beauti-
full in a silver network, with a black clump
or two to southwark, where the line of Bag
ley trees ran below the hill | pulled out the
letter that Anthony had given me. In the
moonlight the brown smear of his blood was
plain to see, running across the superscrip-
ton:
''To our trusty and well beloved Sir Ralfth
Hopton, at our Army in Cornwall-these.
Twas no more than looked for; yet the
sight of it and the kings red seal quickened
my step as | set OFF again. And l cared not
a straw for DR.. Kettles wrath on the NOR
row.
Having no desire to fall in with any of the
royal outposts that lay around Abingdon,
fetched well away to the west, meaning to
shape my course for Faringdon, and so into
the great Bath road IT'S not my purpose to
describe at any length my itinerary, but
rather to reserve my pen for those more NOV
ing events that overlook me later Only in
the uncertain light l must have taken a
wrong turn TO the left Il think near Bessels-
leigh that led me round to the south; for,
coming about day break to a considerable
town, found it TO be, not FaringdOn, but
Vantage. There vas no help for it, so l set
obout inquiring for a bed The town was
f'Jl, apd already astir with preparations for
for cattle fair; and neither at the Bear" nor
the Three Nuns was there bed to be had.
But at length al the Boot" tavern-a small
house, found one just vacated by couple
of drovers, and having cozened the chamber
maid to allow me clean pair of sheets, went
up stairs very orowsiy, and in five minutes
was sleeping sound.
| awoke amid chatter of voices and be-
held the room full Of wpInankind.
Hes waking" said one.
/" IT'S pity, too, TO be afflicted thus-and
he such pretty young mani"
This came from tle landlady, who stood
close, her hand shaking my shoulder roughly.
whats a1nissgn l asked, rubbing my eyes.
''Why, It's three of the afternoon"
Then III get up, as soon as you retire."
"Ludl we've been trying to wake thee this
hour past; but twas sleep-sleep.'
IN get up, l tell you"
Thought thee'd ha' slept through the bed
and right through to the floor" said the
chambermaid by the door, tittering.
UNLESS you pack and go III step out
amongst you all!'
Whereat they fed with mock squeals call
ing out that the very thought made them
blush, and left me to dress.
Down stairs | found a giants breakfast
spread for me, and ate the whole, and felt
the better for it, and thereupon paid my
scot, resisting the landlady's endeavor to
charge me double for the bed, and walked
out TO see the town.
Take care O. thyser," the chambermaid
bawled after me; nor flourish thy attain
ments abroad, lest they put thee in a show!"
Dark was coming on fast; and to my cha
grin for l had intended purchasing horse
the buying and selling OF the fair were over.
the cattle pens broken up, and the dealers
gathered round the fddlers, ballad singers
and gingerbread stalls There were gaming
booths, too, driving a brisk trade at shovel
board, all fours and costly colors; and an
eating tent, whence issued a thick reek of
cooking aud a rattle Of plates. Over the en-
trance, | remember, was set a nos1ce: Dame
Allaway, from Bartholomew fair. Here ara
the best geese, and she does them as well as
ever sac id" jostled my way along, keep
ing tight hold oh my pockets, for fear Of cut
purses; when presently, about half way down
the street, there arose the noise Of shouting.
The crGEd made rush towards it; and in a
minute was left alone standing before
!uggler who had sword half way down his
throat. and had to draw it out again before
he could with anv suficiency curse the de-
f.. IF hrrr m
out a tooth for me if I wanted it.
l left him, and, running after the crowd, /
soon learned the cause Of this tuuulr-
1t was meager old rascal that some one
had charged with picking pockets; and they
were dragging him of 70 be ducked. Now
in the heart of Vantage the little stream
that runs through the town Is widened into
c.Stern about ten feet square and FIVE in
depth, over which hung a ducking stool for !.
scolding wives. And since the townspeopls !
draw their water from this cistern, It's 20 be 4
supposed they do not fear the infection A 4
long beam on pivot hangs out over the +
pool, and to the end Is a chair fastened. into
which, despite his kicks and screams, they ,
now strapped this poor wretch, whose gray
locks might we'll have won mercy for him
SouSe' he was plunged; hauled up choking .
10 shrIek-sousei again.
Twas o dismal punishment; and this time 4
they kept him Under Tor full half minute, /
But as toe beam was lifted again, heard !
huilabaloo and cry:
The bear! the bear.1
And, turning. saw great brown form .
numbering do7Sn the street behind, and drIv
ing the people before II like chat :
The crowd a. the brink OF the pool scat
tered TO right aud left, yelling Up few tie .
beam Of the duckIBy stool, relieved Of t6eir
weight, and down With splash went the
picGpocket ar the far end. As We'll fo- nv
own SKINS sake as ogc Of pity 70 - him
drowning | jumped iu:o the water. in tEo
strokes l reached him. gained footing. and
with Anthony's sword cut the straps away
ara pulled him Up. Aud there we stood. up
to our uecSs, coughing and splutrsrin-, y hIie
on the deserted brink the bear snifIei st tls
water ard regarded Us.
Nodoubt We appeared contemplate enough