The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-05-08
WHO CARRIED THE
KINGS DISPATCH?

Ere could step across the kitchen TO
nnbar the door the knock came again,
sharp aud hard, as though the man
without We're in no mood for delay.
lifted the latch and threw wide the
door, and in the light OF the lanthorn
saw his hand lifted in the act to knock
again,
I'm the kings name" he says, with
one foot across the threshold.
"And welcome" says |, and made
way for him
lie stopped, CHANGING over his shout
der at the horse.
Nay says |. "have him in, too.
There is naught to spoil" | says. look
ing around me, but If there were. he
would be welcome. We are for the
king says |, willing TO make him com
Portable on the main point.
lie pulled the horse inside When |
turned to 1t from barring the door |
saw at glance there was not another
half mile left in IT, The next moment
Il dropped to the floor with sharp
groan.
Its the most cursed luck" says he.
"Sure, have been followed by III for
tune lie broke Off and looked sus-
plciously at the door and window. "You
are well protected, MASTER" he says,
turning his eyes to mine.
1--WE can stand tilt" says /. REST
easy on that score"
90 apnrf IF oh ,I. nal.
poured down its throat" says |. as
much to myself as to him. will do it no
harm, and may do 1t much good"
Standing by the pan and keeping my
fingers In the draft that | had mixed.
so that could tell when the right heat
was attained, took a careful look at
the man at my side. He was of my own
size and build-a tall, square fellow.
with deep chest and square shoulders
straight as a pikestaff. and having a
certain stern look about his mouth and
eyes. His uniform was very plain, but
there were Jewels In the hilt of his
sword, and the feathers that dropped
from his hat. draggled as they were,
were rich and thick as a gallant's should
be
Between us we poured the ale down
the poor beasts throat.
There's naught to hope for in him
tonight says he, gloomily. "'Tis my
usual III fortune"
He gave me quick. curious stare.
80 you are for the king. farmer?" he
says. Sheath. tits piece of the
rarest luck that l Glanced to knock Mt
your doorl am at the most desperate
pass, but you are for the king. ehY'
says he, with emphasis
Il said so and mean So" SAYS I.
"'Tis necessary TO be sure of things
In these times" says he. with a sigh of
relief. "and have that to tell Won
which would not Willingly tell to the
kings lightest enemy. Here l am" he
says, lowering his voice. carrying n
dispatch of the strlctest Importance TO
Rupert and Newcastle at York-harlx
you, farmer. It's the kings own sigma
ture that foots it-anu find myself
stopped'-his eyes wandered to the
h0rse-"and followed"-they turned IN.
easily to the door.
Follower said l.
"As said" said he. coolly enough.
''They have been at my heels for the
last ten miles; three Of them there are
and all well mounted plague take
themw
They are without, theng" SAYS l.
"They were within 200 yards OF me
when l turned in ut your gate" saws
he. But where they are now. the
Lord knows"
opened the shutter Of the hatch and
got out into the little garth between the
great ash and the hedgerow. takinr
good heed not to crack even dry twig
when became aware Of three troopers
They were out on the road. and eacl
man sat his horse in such a strict quiet
ness that you might have sworn hors,
and man were of bronze or marble.
THAT he turned in here" says one
SIS certain. Why he ned aside is no
so certain. But If he carries dispatche.
for Rupert at York tits certain that h,
must so northward along this road
And so the question is where to stay
him in his progress"
2 Il know this country. every inch o
It," says the third man. Leave Il I,
r me. Two miles ahead lies Marshfor,
D common-there's no likelier spot 'twix
I here and York-as desolate a waste /
/ is as you could wish"
D Then they talked again and the EN-
OF 1t was that they backed their horse