The Washington times., 1895-02-10

hlulScti against the lOWnSmen, recklnS illllo
Of how he Jared on either wing. This care
less haste did not pass unnoticed by the
duke, who was a cool man and wore good
head, and he said TO Lorenzo, one OF his
lords, who was With him: 'H we win on
right and left il will not hurt US TO lose in the
middle, and he would not strengthen the
toWnsmen against the prince, but rather
drew of moro Of them, and chiefly the stout
est and best mounted, whom he divided be-
tween the right wing, where he himself COM
manded and the left, which Lorenzo led.
Nay, men declare that he was not i'll pleased
TO see the brunt of the strife and the heaviest
loss fall on the apprentices and the townsmen.
For while. indeed, these stood bravely; but
the princes chiyalry came at them in fierce
pride and gallant scorn, and bore them down
with the weight of armor and horses, the
prince himself leading on white charger,
and with his own hand Staying Gluika. who
was head OF the city bands and a great cham
pion among them. But Duke Valentine and
Lorenzo upheld the battle on the wings and
pressed back the enemy there; and the duke
would not send sid TO the townsmen in the
center saying: Il shall be ready for the prince
as soon as the prince is ready for me, and /
can spare some OF those turbulent appren-
tiees" And he smiled his crafty smile, adding.
From enemies also a wise man may suck
good, and he pressed forward on the right,
lighting more fiercely than was his custom.
But when Antonio beheld the townsmen
hard pressed and being ridden down by the
Prince OF Mantiyoglias knights, and saw that
the duke would not aid them, he grew
very hot and angry and said TO Tommasino:
'These men have loved my house. Tom
masino. II may be that spoil his highness's g
play, but are we to stand here while they
perish
"A fig for his highness plani' said Tom
masino, and Bena gave cry of JOY and leapt,
unbidden, on his horse.
'Since you are up. Bena," said the count,
''stay up, and let the Others mount. The
dukes plan. if l read it Alright, is craftier
than love, and / do not choose TO under
standit."
Then. when the townsmen's line was giving
way before the prince, and the apprentices,
conceiyipg themselves TO be shamefuly de-
serted. were more of q mind to run away than
10 fight any more. suddenly Antonio rode
forth from the mill. And he and his company
came at full gallop; Tut he himself was ten
yards ahead Of Bena ard Tommasino. for all
that they raced after him. And he cried
aloud: ITO me, men of Forniola, TO me, An
tonic of Monte Yelluioi' and they beheld him
with utter astonishment and great JOY And
his helmet was fallen from his head, and his
fair hair cleaned in the sun, and the light of
battle PLAYED on his face. And the band fol-
lowed him. and though they had for the
most part no armor, yet such was the fury OF
their rush. and such the mettle and strength
OF their horses. that they made light of meet
ing the princes knights in full tilt. And the
townsmen cried: lit is the count. To death
alter the count
And Antonio raised the great sword that he
carried and rode at the marshal of the
princes palace, who was in the van OF the
fight, and he split helmet and head with a
blow. Then he came to where the prince
himself was, and the great sword was raised
again, and the prince rode to meet him, say
ing, IF do not die now / shall not die to-
day." But when AntonIo saw the prince he
brought his sword to his side and bowed and
turned aside and engaged the most skillful of
the Mantivoglian knights. And he fought
that day like a man mad, but he would not
strike the Prince OF Mantivoglia. And after
while the prince ceased to seek him aud
hatterer said 10 the prince, 'He is bold against
us, but he fears you, my lord But the
prince said. ''leace fool. Go and fight"
For he knew that not fear but friendship for
lRie Antonio TO assail him.
Yet by now the rout OF the townsmen was
stayed, and they were holding their own
again ID good heart and courage, while both
on the night and on the left the duke pressed
on and held the advantage. Then the Prince
OF Mantivogla perceived that be was in
dangerous plight for he was in peril OF being
worsted along MS whole line, for his knights
did no more than hold a doubtful balance
against the townsmen and Antonio's COM
pany, while the duke and Lorenzo were vic
torious on either wing and he knew that, if
the duke got in the rear OF HIM and lay be-
tween him and Mount AgnIno, he would be
sore put TO it to find a means of retreat.
Therefore. he left the center and rode to the
left of his line and faced Duke Valentine him.
self Yet slowly was he driven back, and he
gave way sullenly, obstinately, and in good
order. himself performing many gallant deeds
and seeking to come TO conflict with the
duke. But the duke. seeing that the day was
likely TO be his would not meet him, and
chose TO expose his person to no more dam
ger. "For," be said, "a soldier who is killed
is good soldier, but a chief who is killed,
save for some great object, is a bad chief"
And be b.ded his time and slowly pressed
the prince back, seeking rather to win the
battle than the praise OF bravery. But when
Count Antonio saw that all went well and
that the enemy was in retrear, he halted his
band. and al this they murmered, Bena dar-
ing 10 say: my lord, we have had dinner;
may We not have supper also?" Antonio
smiled at Bena, but would not listen.
No said he, Ibis highness has won the
victory by his skill and cunning. l did but
move to save my friends. 1t is enough
Shall seek to rob him OF his glory? For the ig-
norant folk, counting the arm more honorable
than the head, will give me more glory than
him if continue in the fight" An thus, not
being willing to force his aid on a man who
hated to receive il. he drew of his band; a
while he awaited, but when he saw that the
! prince was surely beaten and the duke held
victory in his hand, he gave the word that
they should return by the way they had
come
Indeed" said Tommasino, laughing, SIT
may be wisdom as well as good manners,
! cousin. For I would not trust myself to
! Valentine if he be victorious for all the serv-
| ice which we have done him in saving the
apprentices he loves so we'll"
So Antonios band turned and rode off
from the field, and they passed through.
Rilauo. But they found the village desolate,
] for report had come from the field that the
| dukes line was broken, and that in short
! space the Prince of Mantivoglis would ad-
| vance in triumph, and having sacked Rilano
would go against Furniola, where there were
but few old men ond boys left to guard the
walls against him. And one peasant whom
they found hiding in the wood by the road
said there vas panic in the city. and that
many were escaping from it before the en-
emy should appear.
at is months since I saw Forniola." said
| Antonio. with a SMILE ''Let us ride there
and reassure these timid folk. For my lord
the duke. has surely by now won the victory
and he will pursue the prince till he yield:
peace and abandons the tribute.'
/ Now great excitement arose In the band
ut these words. for although they had lost ter
men in the battle, and five more were dis
abIed, vet were forty stout and ready, and il
was not likely that there was any force in
| Forniola that would oppose them. AND
| Martolo, who rode with TommasiEo, whis
pered to him:
"My lord, my lord, shall We carry of thu
/ lady Lucia before his highness can return?'
Tommasino glanced at Antonio. NAY,
know not what my cousin purposes. said he
Then Antonio bade Bena and Martolo ride