Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-23
rcHAPTFD ENE14

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| Night came, and found US but midway be-
tween Temple and Launceston; for though
my comrade stepped brfskly beside me, twas
riseless to put Molly beyond a walk; and, be-
sides; the mare was new from her days jour
neY,, Tbs, 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 kings troops.
NAY, jack" he said, when by signs 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 10 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 IN
seemly bloody nose 'Ludr cries the widow,
tits the wrong man 'pOn the right horsep
Pardon, Mistress says l, the man is well
enow, but pom the wrong horse, for sure ,"
We had some trouble at Launceston gate,
where were few burgers posted for SEN
tries, and, as could see, ready to take fright
watchword c'One and ain, and presently
they let US through As we passed along the
street we marked 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 menI" very hoarse and doubt
fully.
But when we were beyond the town, and
| between hedges again, | think must have
dozed off in my saddle For, though this was
a road full of sharp 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 tho
constellation of the Bear blazing ahead, and
Billy's voice resonant beside me.
And after this can recall passing the tower
of Markham church, with tie paling sky be-
hind it and some birds chattering in the
carved courses; and soon, it seemed, felt
Bily's 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 high,
conical hill beyond, smote level on line after
the enemy there encamped on the top and
some way down the sides, the smoke of their
trampled watch fires still curling among the
gorse bushes heard their trumpets calling
and drums beating to arms; for though,
CHANGING back at the sun, judged it to be
hardly past 4 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 4 plow boy calling to his team.
Looking down into the valley at our feet,
at first l saw no sign Of our own troops-only
the roofs of a little town, with oveTmuch
smoke spread above it, like a morning mist.
But here also heard the church bells clash
ing and drum beating, and presently spied
a CLEAN of arms down among the trees, and
then 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 little child, that seemed wild
with the JOY of living amid great events, but
Tree" which indeed was the only tavern.
1t stood some wav back from the street.
with 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 a map spread before him,
which he studied very attentively, writing
therein with quill pen.
"What plague have We herer' cries the
big man as we drew up.
Recruits, If it please you, sir, said l, 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 "Can'st
fghtF'
THAT, with your leave. sir, is what I am
come to try.n
'And this rascal!n He turned on Billy.
Billy heard not word, of course, yet an
swered readily:
"Why. since your honor is 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 and staring; recovering speech,
however, he broke into volley Of blasphe-
nous curses.
All this while the man in buff had scarce
lifted his eyes off the map. But now he looks
up-and l saw at the first glance that the two
men hated each other.
Il think said he, quietly, my Lord
Mohun has forgot to ask the gentleman's
name.n
no BE CONTINUED