Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-25

emotion, tnaL ne was lOOklnS lOWdTu HIS
home-the stiff grey pile among the beech
woods of Navarro which had been in his
family since the days of ST. Louis, and
which ne had so lightly risked. And be
registered vow in his heart that of all
Henry's servants he would henceforth be
the most faithful.
Meanwhile the Captain of Creance was
ENJOYING the sweets of coming triumph.
He did not look out into the night, it is
true, but pacing up and down the room he
planned and calculated, considering how he
might make the most of his success. lie
was still comparatively young. He had
wears of strength before him. He would
rise. He would not easily be satisfied. the
times were troubled, opportunities many,
fools many; bold men with brains and hands
few.
At the same time he knew that he could be
sure OF nothing uxtil Lusigny was actually
his, and he spent the next few days in con-
siderable suspense. But hitch occurred.
The Vlcomte made the necessary communi-
cations to hin; and men in his own pay in
formed HIM of dispositions ordered by the
Governor of Lusigny which left him in no
doubt that the loser intended to pay his
debt.
1t was, therefore, with heart already
gay with anticipation that the Captain rode
out of Creance two hours be ore midnight
on an evening eight days later. The night
was dark, but he knew the road well. He
had with him powerful force. composed
in part of so of his own garrison, bold,
hardy fellows, and in part of six score horse
men, lent him hy the Governor of Montau-
ban. AS the Vicomte had undertaken to
withdraw, under some pretence or
other, one-half of his command and to
have one of the gates opened by trusty
hand, the Captain trotted along in excellent
spirits, and stopped TO scan with approval
the dark line of his troopers as they plodded
past him, the jingle of their swords aud
corselets ringing sweet music in his ears.
He looked for an easy victory: but it was not
any slight misadventure that would rob him
of his prey. As his company wound on by the
river side, their accoutrements reflected in
the stream or passed into the black shadow
of the olive grove which stands mile to the
east of Lusigny, he felt little doubt of the
success OF his enterprise.
Treachery apart, that is; and of treachery
there was no sign. The troopers had
scarcely halted under the last tclump of trees
before figure detached itself from one of
the largest trunks, and advanced TO their
leaders rein. The Captain saw with sur
prise that it was the Vicomte himself. For
a second he thought something had gone
wrong, but the young mobiles first words re-
assured him. sit is ali right" II. de
Lanthenon whispered, as the Captain bent
down to him. 81 have kept my word, and
think that there will be no resistance,
The planks for crossing the moat lie oppo-
site the gate. Kuock thrice at the latter,
and it will be opened. There are not 80
armed men in the place"
"Goodl'' the Captain answered, in the
same cautious tone. but you"
Il sm believed to be elsewhere, and must
be gone. l have far to ride tonight. Fare
we'll"
''TilI we meet again." the Captain an
swered; and, and with that his ally glided
away and was lost in the darkness. A eau
tious word set the troop again in motion,
and a very few minutes saw them
standing on the edge of the moat, the
outline of the gateway tower looming
above them, a shade darker than
the wrack of clouds which overhead
raced silently across the sky. A moment OF
suspense, while one and another shivered-
for there is that in a night attack which
touches the nerves of the stoutest-and the
planks were found, and as quietly as posi-
bic laid across the moat. This was SO sue
cessfully done that it evoked no challenge
and the Captain crossing quickly with some
picked men, stood almost in the twinkling
of an eve under the shadow of the gate
way. Still no sound was heard
save the hurried breathing of those
at his elbow or the steaithy tread of
others crossing. Cautiously he knocked
three times and waited. The third rap had
scarcely sounded, however, before the gate
rolled silently open, and he sprang in, fol-
lowed by his men.
So tar so good. A glance at the empty
street and the porter's pale face told him
at once that the Vicomte had kept his word
But he was too old soldier to take any,
thing for granted, and forming up his men
as quickly as they entered, he allowed no
one to advance until all were inside. and
then, his trumpet sounding a wild note of
defiance, his force sprang forward id two
compact bodies, and in moment the town
awoke to find itself in the hands of the
enemy.
AS the Vicomte had promised, there was
no resistance. In the small keep score OF
men did indeed run to arms, but only to
lay them down without striking a blow
when they became aware of the force op-
posed to them. Their leader, sullenly ac-
quiescing, gave up his sword and the KEYS
of the town to the victorious Captain, who,
as ne sat his horse in the middle of the
market-place, giving his orders and sending
off riders with the news, already saw him
self in fancy Governor of a province aud
Knight of the Holy Ghost.
As the red light OF the torches fell on
steel caps and polished hauberks, on the
serried ranks of pikemen, and the
81 IF xrh 70 foood }ha ~
esque old square looked doubly picturesque.
Every five minutes, with clatter of iron on
the rough pavement and a shower of sparks,
a horseman sprang away to tell the news at
Montauban or Cahors; and every time that
this occurred, the Captain, astride on his
charger, felt new sense Of power and
triumph.
Suddenly the low murmur of voices was
broken by new sound, the hurried clang
of hoofs, not departing but arriving. There
was something in the noise which made the.
Captain prick his ears and secured for the
messenger speedy passage through the
crowd. Even at the last the man did not
spare his horse, but squirting to the Cap
tain's side, then and then only sprang to the
ground. His face was pale, his eyes were
bloodshot. His right arm was bound up in
bloodstained cloths. With an oath OF
amazement, the Captain recognized the
officer whom he had left in charge OF
Creance, and thundered out, "What is it?"
'They have got Creancer' the man
gasped, reeling as be spoke. They have
got Creancel"
"Who?" the Captain shrieked, his face
purple with rage.
"The little man of Bearnp' He assaulted
it 500 strong an hour after you left, and had
the gate down before We could fire a dozen
shots. We did what we could, but we we're
but one to seven. 1 swear, Captain, we did
all we could. Look at thisl''
Almost black in the face, the Captain
swore another frightful oath. 1t was not