The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-01

| Thames water flowing there beneath
| the palace towers.
Saints in heaven" cried Dame Sewer
" Saints In heavenl "cried Dame Sewer
| by, My fair mistress is lostl Help" she
/ shouted; help and rescue for the Prin-
cess Elizabeth. drowning in Thar ca
| waterW And while terror and confusion
swayed the troubled throng, the door OF
the palace swung open and a clear young
voice sounded above the din: What
meaneth this noise and rout? Are the
commons in revolt or hath too valor-
Gus mouse frightened the lords and
ladies Of our sisters court?" The speaker
was slight, boyish-looking youth of
scarce fourteen; OF pleasant and gentle
face, now slightly flushed with Gu
riosity and fun that prompted his words.
A violet velvet suit slashed with purple
and silver cased his trim young form.
and a spotless plume cleaned beneath
his velvet bonnet. Scant time was there
for courtly phrase or ceremony.
ION, dear young majesty" cried the
terrified bodywoman. "the princess! the
Princess! sect see! she's in the river"
Down the broad stairway sprung the
now startled king. my sister drown
ing" he burst out, land no man OF we
striving to save her? How now. varlets.
cowardsl will we let the girl sink before
There, there. my lord" cried Perkins,
the groom, "She would mount Saladin,
and the hobby broke and leaped the
river wall ere we had wit or warranty TO
stay him, and the barge lieth far down
the palace stairs" cease to your prate
and pull out the barge quick" said the
king while essay what we have neither
head nor heart to do" Then with his
ready dagger he cut Black Richards
thether gear, vaulted to the courser's
back, and almost in an instant had leap
ed him over the river wall into swift
Thames water. Elizabeth holding tightly
to Saladins name, saw her brother,
and cried out 20 him: "Helpl helpI dear
Edward; 1 will hold here till thou come"
And though Saladin. half swimming.
half foundering as he was. had become
altogether unmanageable the brave girl
still chung TO his neck and waited for her
rescuer. But now Black Richard, startled
by his sudden plunge became unmanage-
able too, and the boy-king-though X cool
and fearless rider, had great effort to
guide him Alright. At last, borne on by
the current, and by his partial success in
managing his restless horse, young Ed
ward reached his sisters side.
Hold thou fast! Hold thou fast, Eliza
BETH" he cried. while seize the bride
and guide Saladin ashore" ard as he
spoke. he clutched at and caught the
hobby's bridle-rein.
The brave lad had now a double duty
TO guide two unruly horses and fight the
force of the current 1t was mans work,
and mighty work at that. and the boys
hand, firing with his efforts. could barely
keep the beasts in check.
"Oh, Edward. can hold on no longerr
moaned the poor girl! Help! help! l am
sinking FAST"
"Quick, Bess; spring TO Black Richards
back; spring ere thy strength doth fail,
and will let Saladin go!" And he pressed
nearer his sisters side.
"Oh. / cannot 1 cannot" she cried; II
have no strength left"
Spring spring, tell theei IT'S the
only chancei' her brother persisted.
The brave maiden tried to obey but
her strength was not equal to the task.
Exhaused and desparing, she missed her
spring and sank from her brothers sight.
A new cry OF horror went up from wall
and causeway and the men in the royal
barge piled their oars with vigor hoping
now only 10 save the king Edward drop
ped Saladins bride, and the hobby, flee
from this restraint swan down the river
till he was fished out at the causeway
steps far below the palace. The sinking
princess soon rose TO the surface but
the kings watchful eye saw that she was
fully twenty strokes away Could he
reach her in time? ION! On, Richard"
he urged his black horse, and the eourser.
now grown more manageable, swan swift
ly down tn stream, but just as he reached
the maiden's side she sank scond time.
Then, without a moments hesitation he
heroic boy drew foot from the stirrup,
rose to the courser's back, and with a
splendid header" dlved after the sinking
girl. IL was a moment OF terrible sus-
pense. Edward. the King OF England and
the Princess Elizabeth, his possible sue
cessor TO the crown, were both drowning
in Thames water in sight Of a hopeless
and helpless court.
A trim young head rises above the rip
Piles. "'Tis he IT'S he the King lives"
shouted Perkins. the groom.
And seei and sect" cried the trembling
Dame Sowerby. "he has the Princess safei
Thank Cod" A great and mighty shout
rent the air as the brave lad rose 20 the
surface. clasping his rescued sister tightly
with one arm while with the otehr's aid
ne swan towards his horse 80, Richardi
good Richardl" he called; Come sir
come close; close dear horse;" and the
noble animal steadying himself against
the ushing current. swan straight toward
the struggling boy.
Ana now, With clever through almost
nerveless arm. he flung the dropping
princess across Black Richards back. and
clambering after. grasped the bride
with his left hand, and holding his sister
with his right, guided the horse ashore.
Strong hands drew them from the water.
by the causeway stairs. before the barge
came up. With thankful hearts and words
Of wonder and pride, his admiring court
hailed his deliveranee from DEATH and
glorifed his heroic deed Look to the
princess" he said. sweet Sister Temper
ance" 0or so he often called herr hath
had sorry ride"
IL was deed OF daring and worth.
Edward Tudor had but a short aud sad
young life, and troubled reign that clos
cd ere the boy-king had reached his six
teenth year. But no act OF all his gentle life
stands out more brightly than when, by
Thames water. lords and ladies held their
breath while the brave boy-monarch (caii- |
ed, for his virtues. Edward the Saint
the beautifulest creature that llyeth |
under tue SUM-" as one loyal chronicler
termed HIM saved from death his fair |
sister Elizabeth. the future ouesn OF /