Middletown transcript., 1891-03-05

fathers time"
Some one told the Count Of Argues
that the boy duke would prove too
much for him that he had the soul
of man and the courage Of bold
warrior.
will lop off one of his legs, then, /"
observed the count, with smile of
hi.iden meaning.
Not long afterwards the duke Of
Brittany suddenly died, it is thought
of poison administered by an agent of
the count. At the same time Argues
secured the cooperation Of the king of
France, that very Henry who had
promised to be father to the father
less duke. It began to look dark for
the boy duke and his friends.
But Young William had that terri
BILE and tireless energy that would
not submit to defeat. The beserker
courage of his ancestors, the sea
kings, burned in his veins, and boy
that be was, he rose as gaily to battle
for his coronet as though going to the
chase with hawk or wrist. He met
the king of France, and by combined
skill and valor routed his forces and
took him prisoner he released him,
however, upon the solemn pledge that
he would not meddle any more with
Norman politics. That he marched
to the castle Argues to besiege the
chief conspirators. His sudden ap-
pearance there. and the news Of the
defeat of the French king, SO dispirit-
ed the besieged, that they speedily
surrendered, and William returned to
Falaise with the captive count in his
train. But Normandy was not yet
won, nor could the boy duke yet
carry out his wise measure for the
development of his duohy.
Another rebellion broke out in a
year or two, and Williams fortunes
were never so desperate as they were
then. The conspirator this time was
the Count of Contentin, aud he laid
his plans SO shrewdly that William
would have lost his life and his duchy
at the same time had it not been for
the sagacity and faithfulness Of his
fool. 1t was the custom of the time
for every great lord and prince to
have a jester, or fool, who was usually
a half-witted or eccentric person who
dressed in fantastic garb, and made
amusement for the court. William
had cne who was named Galet. Viii.
liam was very fond of him, and
whenever you read of the duke, you
will always read of his jester. He
must have been a shrewd, quick. wit
ted fellow, or he never would have
penetrated the conspirator's plans.
The boy duke and some of bis
friends, among whom was Galet, were
at Bayeaux. The conspirators had
made arrangements to surprise hin
there, and entered the city in detach-
ments. without attracting the notice
Of the citizens. But Galet's keen eyes
soon discovered that there were many
strange soldiers about that did moi
belong to his masters party, and hi
suspicious were at once aroused. III
mingled with the new corners, and
| presently discovered that evil was in
tended against the duke. Meanwhile
the duke had ridden out with q small
hunting party, and was stopping at 9
castle in the neighborhood. Gale
laid aside his cap and bells, donnec
the suit Of palmer and fastened OF
foot in search of his master. 1t wa
night when the faithful jester reached
the castle, and William was asleep
He aroused him, however, and in
few words told him his story. A
first William was disinclined to be-
lieve it, but he was soon convinced
that the alarm was not false one
Not knowing who to trust he wisel.
determined not to trust any one, ant
going to the stables he saddled hi
j horse and set off alone in the dark.
ness Scarcely had he left before ,
| party Of the conspirators arrived
| having followed the jester, by SO mar
row a margin of time did he escape.
The duke had not proceeded ia
when he heard the galloping of horses
and the clinking of arms on the roa
behind him. Withdrawing hastil
| into a wood, William let his pursuer
pass him, and then taking circuit
GUS route by lanes and by-paths h
| fec; on toward the sea. In the earl
morning light he refined his pantin
horse into the yard of a manslo
where there was trough of waite
and some goats feeding. He was SUI
prised to see a man all armed sittin
at the gate as if waiting for him. H
proved to be a nobleman that b
knew named Hubert, who was great
| " astonished to see his liege lord 6
) that time and place, and in such
condition alone.
4 William Immediately related th
circumstances of his fight and aske
Hubert's aid.
"My lord duke" answered th
nobleman, hold my castle and vi
lage as tenant Of the Count Of Go
tentin, your enemy, but you hay
nothing to fear. | will defend you
life as If it were my own"
He accordingly gave the duke re
freshments and new horse, and cal
ing three strong young fellows VIII
we're his sons, he ordered them to col
duct their sovereign prince with a
dispatch to Falaise, avoiding all th
towns and highways. Some tim
, after Williams departure his pursr
ers arrived at the castle and asked
the duke had been seen in that vicin
ty.
:" Yes," answered Hubert, 81
passed here this morning alone, an
with worn out horee, and took Il
road to AYR anches.
As this place lay in an entirely OF
pcsite direction to Falaise, the fue