Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-29

told us we had three leagues TO- go, and
VIC hoped to DO at rest In Santon by
o'clock.
The three leagues turned out to DO more
nearly five, while the read was so founder
Gus that VIC had again and again to quit 10.
Tho evening came on, the light wancd,
and still We were ceiling our way, SO to
speak-thc women tired and on the verge
of tears, the men muddy to the waist, saw
age and inpatient. It was O'Clock, and
dusk was we'll upon US before We caught
sight Of tho first lights of Santon, and in
fear lest the gates might be shut pressed
forward at such speed as our horses could
compass.
do you GO on!'' the duchess adjured
u.s. "Annc and will DO safe enough be-
hind you. Let me take the child and do
you ride on We cannot pass the night in
she fields -
3ac Importance of securing admission
WIS SO great that Master BERTHE and I
agreed and cantered on, soon outstripping
our companions, and almost, in the gloom,
losing sight of them. Dark masses of
woods, the last remnants apparently of a
to-est, lay about the road we had to trav-
srsc We passing one of these, scarce
~ 500 PAGES short of tho town, and I was
were following safely, when heard Mas
ter Berthe, who was bowshot in front OF
me, give o sudden cry.
wheeled round hastily to learn the rea-
son and was Just in time TO see three horse
mon sweep into the road before him from
the cover of the trees. They were SO close
to him-and they filled tho road-that his
horse carried him among them almost be-
foro he could check 1t, or SO it seemed to
me. heard their loud challenge, saw his
arm wave and guessed that his sword was
out. l spUrrCd desperately to join him,
giving u wild shout of encouragement rs
did SO. But before could come up, or in
deed cross half the distance, the scuffle
was over. Orc man fell hcadlong from
his saddle, oGc horse fed ridcrlcss down
the road, and at sight of this, or perhaps
of me, the others turned tail without moro
ado and made of, leaving Master BERTHE
in possession of tho field. The whole thing
had passed in the shadow of the wood in
less than half n minute. When 1 drew
rein by him, he was sheathing his sword.
lis it Clarcnce:' cried eagerly.
NO, no, did not see him. think
not," he answered. He was breathing
hard and was very much excited. They
were poor swordsnen, for Spaniards," he
addcd-"very poor, thought"
jumped off my horse, and knccling be-
side the man turned him over. Ho was
badly hurt, if not dying, cut across tho
Eeck. We looked hard at him by such
light rs there was and did not recognize
him us ono Of our assailants of tho night
before.
Il do not think ho is Spaniard,
| said slowly Then n certain suspicion &C.
Cured to my mind, and 1 stopped lower
oyer him.
Not Spaniartls" Master BERTHE said
stupidity. "How is that"
Before I answered raised the man In
| my arms, and carrying him carefully to
| tho side OF the road set him with his back
| to a tree. Then got quickly on my horse.
| The women were just coming up. Mas
| ter BERTHE" said in a low voice as
locked this way and that to see il the
| alarm had spread, Il am afraid there is a
| mistake. But say nothing to them. i.
il one of the town guard you have killed.
| ''0nc Of tho town guardr' no cried, q
| light bursting in ON him, and tho reins
| dropping from his hand. What shall VIC
| &c? We arc lost, MANI
ITO be cnntlnued.)