The Washington times., 1895-02-10

GERS wait his return and not be drawn from
their position before he came again to them,
and taking some of his younger knights and
few more. he passed out of his camp and
paused for a moment. bidding those with him
spread themselves out in a thin line, in order
the better to reconnoiter. and that if some
fell into an ambuscade. others might survive
to carry the news back to the camp. And he.
having given his order, himself stood resting
on his sword.
And in an instant, before he could so much
as lift the point OF his sword from the
ground silent blurred shapes came from the
mist and were in front aad behind and
around them, and they looked so strange
that he raised his hand to cross himself, but
then scarf was thrown over his mouth, and
he was selzed by eight strong hands aud
held so that he could not struggle, and
neither couli be cry out by reason of the
scarf across his mouth. And they that held
him begun to run rapidly, and he was car
ried cut of the camp without the knowledge
OF any of those who were with him, and who,
missing their leader. fell presently into a
great CONSERVATION, and ran to and fro into
the gloom crying: 1.-THE prince? Have you
seen the prince? Is his highness with you?
In Gods name, has the prince been this
way?" But they did not find him, and they
grew more confounded, umbling against
one another and being much afraid. And
when the prince was nowhere ts be found
they lost heart and began to fall back toward
their own borders, skirting the base of Ag-
nino, and their retreat grew quicker, and at
last when morning came they were near the
border, but the fog still wrapped all the plain
in obscurity, and robbed OF their leader, the Y
dared attempt nothing.
Now the Prince of Mantivoglia, whom his
army sought thus in fear and bewilderment,
was carried very quickly up to the high
ground, where the rocks grew steep and close
and he way led II the peak of Agnino. And
as he was borne along some one bound mis-
hands and his feet, and still he was carried
up till at last he found himself laid down
gently on the ground. And though he knew
no fear-for they of Mantivoglia have ever
been most valiant princes and strangers to
all fear-yet he thought that mis- last hour
was come, and fearing God, though he feared
nothing else, he said a prayer and COM
mended his soul to the Almighty, grieving
that he should not receive the lasI services OF
the church.
And having done this he lay still, until the
dawning day smote on his eyes and he could
see, for the fog that lay dense on the PLAIN
was not in the hills, but hung between them
and the plain. And he looked round, but
saw no man. So he abode another hour, and
then he heard step behind him. and a man
came, but whence he could not see and the
man stopped and ioosed the scarf from his
mouth and cut his bonds, and he sat up,
uttering a cry of wonder. For Count An
tonic stood before him, his sword sheathed
by his sde And he said to Prince of Man.
tiyoglia:
do to me what you will, my lord. II you
will strike me as stand. strike. Or II you
will do me the honor to cross swords, my
! sword is ready. Or, my lord, if you will de-
part in peace and in my great love and rever-
ence, will give thanks to heaven end to 9
| noble prince"
"Antonio, what does this mean?" cried
the prince. divided between anger and won
| der.
Then Antonio told him all that he had done
how the duke was gone back with-his army
| to Forniola. and how the princes army haS
retreated toward the borders of MantivogIia
| for OF all this his men had informed him, ane
| he ended with saying.