The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-19

had sat so recently upon his own couch. With
cry OF horror Alleyne spranG from his bed and
rushed to the easement. while the two nrchers,
aroused By the sound. seized their weapons
and stared abou, them In bewilderment One
glance was enough to show Edricson that his
Tears were but too true Foully murdered.
with score ofwounds upon him anil q ropo
round his neck. his poor friend hal been cast
from the upper window and swung slowly in
the night wind. his body raspine against the
wall. and his dishxured face upon level with
tho easement
MY God" cried Alleyns. shaking In every
limb. What has come upon us2 What
DEVILS deed is this2"
Here is flint and steel" said John. stolidly.
The lamp. Awkward! This moonshine
soltens . mans heart Now We mar uso tho
eyes which God hath glven u.s.
BY my hiltl" cried Awkward, ~ the yellow
fnnie flickered no. ut Is indeed young Master
Ford. and think that this seneschal is q black
villain. who dare not face US In the day. but
would mnrther US In our sleep. by the twxng
OF stringl III do not soak goosss feather
with his hearts blood. it will DO no fault Of
samkin Awkward OF tho White Company"
But. Aylward. think OF the mon vh m saw
yesternight." said Allesne. 1T may not be
the senescha. It may DO that others have
como into the castle. I must to Sir Nigel ore
II DO too late. Lot mo g. Awkward, for my
place 10 by his side"
One moment, mon gar. Put that steel
hsadpiece on tho end OF my rev Save. So!
Twill putit first through the door: for it Is III to
come out when you can neither soc nor guard
yourself. Now. camaraies. out swords AMI
stand ready Hola, By my hit! 1t is time that
w0 were stirring."
Az he spoke sudden shouting broke forth
IN the Caltl0 with of a
the rush OF many feet. Then came the sharp
c!ink OF clashing s,eel. and O roar Ike that Of
IN angry lion" Notro Dame Du Guescln! St
lvesl st. Ives" Tho bowman pulled back tho
bolt OF the door and thrust out the hendpiece
at the end OF tie bow. A crash. the CHATTER OF
the steel cap upon the ground. and. ore the
man WHO struck could heave up for another
blow. the archer had passed his sword through
his body. ~On. comrades. on!" he cried: and
breaking Gercely past two men who threw
themselves In his way he sped down the broad
corridor in the direction Of the shouting.
A sharp turning. and then q second one.
brought them to the head OF q short
stair. from which they looked straight down
upon the scene OF the uproar A square
oak-foored hall lay beneath them. from
which opene the doors OF tho principal guest
chambera This hall was as light as day, for
torches burned In numerous sconces upon tho
walls. throwing strange shadows from the
tusked or antlered heads which ornamented
them. At the very foot OF tho stair. close to
the open door OF their chamber. lay tho sen es-
chal and his vito. she with her head shorn
from her shoulders he thrust through with .
sharpened stake. which still protruded from
either side OF his body. Three servants Of the
castle lay dead beside them. all torn and
drAggled. IS though . pack Of wolves b ad been
upon them In ront Of the central guest
chamber God Du Guesrln and SIR Nigel. half
clad aud unarmo ed with the mad jov ~ bat
tie cleaning in their eyes. Their heads were
thrown back. their lips compressed. their
blood stained swords poised over tn ctr right
shoulders. aud their left foe. thrown out
Three dead men lay huddlsd together 10
front Of them. while fourth. with tho blood
squirting rom a severed vessel. lay back with
updrawn knees. breathing in wheezy gasps,
Further back-al painting together. like the
wind In a tree-there stood a group OF fierce.
wild creatures, bare-armed and bare-leR se j.
gaunt. unshaven with deep-set p1urderous
eyes and wild beast faces. With their flashing
| teeth. their bristling hair. their mad lsapings
and screenings. they seemed to Allcyne moro
like fleuds from the pit then men OF flesh and
blood. Even as he 10 ,ked. they broke into .
hoarss yell and dashed once moro upon the
two knights. hurting themselves nadly upon
tu6lE 6WOEO pOlbbSs ClutCutA&. oSEAAOIiuks Wv
| Ing. tearing. careless OF wounds II they could
| but drag tho two soldiers to earth. Sir Nigel
| was thrown down BY the sheer weight OF them.
| and Sir Bertrand with his thunderous war cry
| was swinging round his heavy sword to
| clear n space for him to rise. whom
tho whistle Of two long English
| ARROWS. and the rush OF tho squire and tn two
English arehers down tho stairs. turned the
| tide OF the combat. The assatlants gave back
the Knights rushed forward. and In a very few
moments the hall was cleared. aud Horde
John had hurled the last OF the wild men down
the steep steps which led from the end offt
| DO not follow them." cried Du Gussclin
I'VE are lost !. we scatter. For myself I care
| not q denier. though 1t is q Door thing to meet
| ones end at the hanis OF such scum: but
| have my dear lady here who must by no means
be risked. We have breathing space now. a nd
would ask you. Sir Nigel what 1t is that you
would COUNSEL"
by St. Paul." answered sir Nigel. 60
can By NO means understand what hath
beialen us. save that have been
wokcn mp by your battle CRY. and
rushing forth. found myself in the midst Of
this small pickering. Harrow and alas for the
lady and the sensschal! What dogs are they
who have done this bloody decd p
They are tho Jacks. the men OF the brush
wood. They have tho castle. though I know
not how 1t hath come to pass Look from this
window into tue bailey"
by heaven" cried Sir Nigel III Is as bright
as day with tho torches, The gates stand open
and there are three thousand OF them within
the walls. See how they rush and .cream and
wave. What Is 1t that they thrust out through
tho postern door? My God! II is man. at
arms. and they pluck him limb from Limb. like
hounds on wolf Now another. and yet an
| otha Thay hnId fha xchn Casfl, for i
their faces at tho windowe. Sec. there arc some
with great bundles ON their backs"
1T Is dried wood firm the forest. TheI
pile thom against the wall and set them In Z
blaze. Who is this who tries to check them
By St Ives! It is the good priest who spake FOL
them In the hall. He knees. nc prays. no I'm
ploresi What villains. would ye raise hands
against those who have be'riended your All
the butcher has struck him! He Is down
| m hAie faot All