The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-06
CHAPTER XVI.
THE BATTLE OF STANFORD HEATH.

sides, the mare was new from her days jour-
ney. This troubled me the less by reason of
the moon now almost at the full, and the
extreme whiteness of the road underfoot, so
that there was no fear of going astray. And
Billy engaged that by sunrise we should be in
sight of the king's,troops
NAY, Jack" he said, when by signs l Of
fered him to ride and tie; never rode o
horseback but once, and that 'pon Parson
Spinks his red mare at Bideford. Parson i
those days was courtin' the widow Hambly,
over to Torrington; an l, that wanted to
fare to Barnstaple, spent that mornin' an
better part o. tn afternoon clawin' off Tor
rington. And tn end was the larboard hal
yards broke, an the mare jibed, an to Tor
rington | went before the wind, wi an I'M
seemly bloody nose. 'Ludl' cries the widow,
its the wrong man 'pon the right horser
Pardon, mistress says |, the man is well
enow, but pom the wrong horse for sure"
We had some trouble at Launceston gate,
where were a few burgers posted for SEN
tries, and as | could see, ready to take fright
at their own shadows. But Billy gave the
watchwOrd Gone and all'), and presently
they let US through. As we passed along the
street we marked a light in every window
almost, though twas near midnight; and the
people moving about behind their curtains
There were groups, too in the dark door
ways, gathered there discussing, that eyed us
as we went by, and answered Billy's Good
night, honest men!" very hoarse and doubt
fully.
But when we were beyond the town, and
between hedges again, 1 think | must have
dozed of. in my saddle. For, though this was
a road full of sharp memories, being the last
l 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
Billys voice resonant beside me.
And after this canrecall passing the tower
of Markham church, with the paIing sky be
hind it and some birds cnattering in the
carved courses; and soon, it seemed, felt
Billys grip on my knee, and opened my eyes
to see his finger pointing.
We stood on a ridge above hollow vale
into which the sun, though now bright, did
not yet pierce, but passing over to a high,
cOnical hill beyond, smote level on line after
line OF white tents-the prettiest sightl Twas
the enemy there encamped on the top and
some way down the sides, the smoke of their
trampled watch fires still curling among the
SOi 80 DuSleS. L uedTu JueiT calling
and drums beating to arms; for though,
glancing back at the sun, l judged it to be
hardly past in the morning, yet already the
slopes were moving like an ant hill-the regi-
mentS gathering, arms flashing, horsemen
galloping to and fro, and the captains shout
ing their commands. In the distance this
had a sweet and cheerful sound, no more 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 a little town, with overmuch
smoke spread above it, like morning mist
But here also | heard the church bells clash
ing and a drum beating, and presently spied
a CLEAN of arms down among the trees, and
then a regiment of foot moving westward
along the base of the hill. Twas evident the
battle was at hand, and we quickened our
pace down into the street.
1t lay on the slope, and midway down we
passed some watch fires burned out; and then
a soldier or two running and fastening their
straps; and last a little child, that seemed wild
with the JOY of living amid great events, but
led US pretty straight TO the sign of THE
Tree" which indeed was the only tavern
1t stood some way back from the street,
with a great elm before the porch, where by
table sat two men, with tankards beside
them, and a small company of grooms and
soldiers standing round. Both men were
more than ordinary tall and soldier like; only
the bigger wore a scarlet cloak, very richly
laced, and was shouting orders to his men;
while the other, dressed in plain buff suit and
jack boots, had map spread before him,
which he studied very attentively, writing
therein with quill pen.
What plague have we herei' cries the
big man as we drew up.
Recruits. if it please you, sir, said T. dis
mounting and pulling off my hat, though his
insolent tone offended me.
"Slidl The boy speaks as if he were
regiment" growls he. half aloud ''Canst
fghty"
That, with your leave. sir, is what am
come to try"
And this rascal97 He turned on Billy
Billy heard not a word, OF course, We: an
swered readily:
Why. since your honor il 50 pleasantly
minded-let it be cider"
Now the first effect Of this. delivered with
all force of lung, was TO make the big man SIT
bolt upright ana staring: recovering speech,
however, be broke into q yoley Of blasphs-
nous curses
All this while the man in buff had scarce
lifted his eyes of the map But now he looks
up-and | saw az the first glance that the two
men hated each other.
4 think said he. quietly, my. Lord
Mohun las forgot % asa the gentie1uans
name"
NY name IS Marvel. sir-John Marvel I
answered him with bow.
~Hev.7-and. dropping bis pen. ne starts
up and Erasps my hand-''Theu lis you /
have never thanked for his gracious us !esty 5
letter.
The Gen HoptonT cried L
Even 80. SIR. Ny lord be went o., still
holding nv Eand and turning % MS compzn-
ION, ''iet me present % vou the gentleman
that IN January saved you- hove 81 Boon
noe from burning a. Ire hands o. the reoe3s
whom God ooafouud this day!7 Es lifted
his hat
Amen, Fsaid I. as his lo-dship bowed sT-
ceeding sIlSy- But DID 10: value Els rage.
yang sog WIKI 9or 70 % 50 repTaisea o. the
first captain tAs vet holi) On tee ROYAL SIDE.
Who now, uot without siy triumph flung
the prics cf BiIIv's CIDER On ire taele. and,
folding up his map, addressed ne agalas
Master AarveI. tbs ssnt today VIII IL
but Et.le VITA the horss-oT 80 / hoEe foa
vii do well Il your ~ish be 70 serve Us o1ss-
% leave your mare beEl1d TIE troop ~ascS 7
my Lord Aehun AID | Command togrsssT
Is b-iow BEt S3r BeviN Grenvllse. wno has
sen sEa : interested u yc1. EAs i.se rTss
Claim ari / vo1l5 nc: G=uy yoG toe cs4-z1t /
e nEEt 49, "a. -z.sle - 80 - 80. 60 :