Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1896-12-06

leave there the impress of their shoes; but
he did not Immediately reply.
"a good many people cross the lane" said
he at last ~ don't doubt that there be
footprints in the ground there
and one of the prints shows the elegant
fcot-track OF the rebel whom we broke at
Sedgemoor."
my son is honest" at this iuncture ex-
claimed the widow. II know him to be civil
and kind and he went to the wood today
not to hide Monmouth, but to get a squirrel
with his bow"
Eyes, and he brought down more i'm
portant game" broke in the leader OF the
detachment. Here, come up on the saddle,
boy" and the man darted at Perry, who, be-
fore he could get beyond his reach, was
| seized and jerked off his feet
In another moment the boy found him
self on the saddle before the trooper, who
looked him sternly in the face as he con-
tinued:
I'VE want the rebel, boy. Don't deceive
us. Where have you hid Monmouth"
In an instant fire seemed to light up the
widows eyes and she remembered the in
dignities she had suffered at the hands OF
the troopers OF King James, for she cried
out:
IF you've made a promise. Perry, stick to
It,. Keep your word, boy, even If given to
Monmouth
The troopers looked daggers at the woman
out OF the way and laughed at him.
wen wiring the little chicks neck but
what We'll make him tell where the rebel
is" said the captain of the detachment.
THE king will have no nonsense and, boy
or man, the person who refuses to betray the
hiding place of the arch rebel, Monmouth,
shall feel his majestys displeasure."
With this the little troop wheeled and Mas
ter Preston, held firmly to the saddle, was
carried away.
few yards from the house the men halted
and all crowded round the man who held
Perry prisoner.
Where is he. boy?" they asked.
Perry looked into their rough faces and
saw no leniency there; then he glanced at
their broad swords, the very weapons that
had wrought such ruin at sedgemoor, and
for moment contemplated the general mien
OF the six.
"You haven't proved to me that there are
footprints IN the mud Ia the old lane" said
the boy.
But we can" was the answer. "You
want TO be convinced, do YOU? To the lane
you shall be taken"
In n little while the boy was taken to the
spot and when It was reached one of the
men dlsmountcd and led his horse toward a
certain spot.
A full moon was in the sky, and in some
places the ground was plainly visible and
the very blades of grass that covered 1t.
They had entered the lane which Perry
and the duke had crossed on their way to
the old milk house, and presently all stood
on the bare place.
Put the lad down here" said the man
who had gone forward afoot. 81 want to
show him what dainty footprint the hunted
fox makes. Here II is as plain as when we
left 1t, and here beside It is the rougher boot
track of the widows BARN"
In compliance with the request the captain
of the troop put Perry down, at the same
time telling The trooper on the ground to take
hold OF his wrist and escort him to the proof
spot.
Master Preston felt hand at his wrist and
he was led forward in jiffy.
There they are, your tracks and those of
the arch-rebel'sW exclaimed the cavalier.
You crossed here. Why, everybody in Eng
land knows the print of Monmouth's foot, no
matter II he wears shepherds boots
At the same time Perry was pushed for
ward and roughly held over the soft ground.
He saw the tracks he and Monmouth had
made they seemed to accuse him OF treason
to the king but he did not quail.
you see them, boy? Now, Stree, where
is the fox?"
1t was the captain OF the band who spoke
and Perry Strengthened in the moonlight
At the same time the man who held his
wrist seemed to give him little freedom,
for the grip relaxed as Master Preston looked
at the troopers horse.
II was a llthe-limbed chestnut. such as he
once rode among the Mendip hills. when on
a visit to his uncle. and an Idea flashed
through the boys brain.
81 give you minute, hoy. We cannot wait
here all night while you know where the
rebel is. Stand aside. Goshen. lie Is safe
here"
The trooper who had dlsmounted stood
aside. quite releasing Master Preston, but
the next moment an event OF startling I'm
portance took place.
The Somerset boy sprang toward the horse
and caught the rein as he left the ground.
His movement was as agile as the leap OF