Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-02-04


| ragged knaves who were following
| ing mud and pebbles at him. The man
had drawn his sword, and his oaths
came up to US, mingled with shriIl cries
of seViYe la messe!'' and half-drowned
by the Gathering of the horses hoofs.
| We saw stone strike him in the face,
and draw blood, and heard him swear
louder than before.
"Ohi" cried Catherine, clasping her
hands with sudden shrek of indig-
nation, my letter. They will get my
letter."
"Death!" exclaimed Croisette. "She
is right! 1t is III. de Pavannes' courier!
This must be stopped! We cannot
stand this, Anne!"
''They shall pay dearly for it, by our
lady," I cried, swearing myself. And
in peace time, too-the villains! Gil!
Francis!'' 1 shouted. Where are you o.
And I looked round for my fowling
piece, while Croisette jumped upon the
wall, and, forming a trumpet VIA his
hands, shrieked at the top of his voice:
Back! he bears a letter from the
vicomte!"
But the device did not succeed, and
could not find my gun. For moment
we were helpless, and before I could
have fetched the gun from the house
the horseman and the hooting rabble
at his heels had turned a corner and
were hidden by the roofs.
Another turn, however, would bring
them out in front of the gateway, and
seeing this, we hurried down the ramp
to meet them. L stayed moment to
tell Gil to collect the servants, and, this
keeping me, Croisette reached the mar
row street outside before me. AS I fol-
lowed him I was nearly knocked down
by the rider, whose face was covered
with dirt and blood, while fright had
rendered his horse unmanageablc.
Darting aside, I let him pass-he was
blinded and could not see me-and then
found that Croisette-brave lad!-had
collared the foremost of the ruffians
and was beating him with his sheathed
sword, while the rest of the rabble stood
back, ashamed, yet sJ1len, and with
anger in their eyes. A dangerous crew,
l thought; not townsmen, most Of
them.
down with the Huguenots!" cried
one, as I appeared, bclder than the
rest.
down with the canaille!' retorted
sternly, cycling the Unlocking ring.
''Will you set yourselves above the
kings peace, dirt that you are? Go
back to your kennels!"
The words were scarcely out of my
mouth before I saw that the fellow
whom Croisette was Furnishing had got
hold of a dagger. I shouted a warn
ing, but it came too late. The blade fell,
and-thanks to God-striking the
buckle of the lads belt, glanced off
harmless. I saw the steel flash up
again-saw the spite in the mans eyes;
but this time was step nearer, and
before the weapon fell I passed ny
sword clean through the wretch's body.
He went down like a log, Croisette fall
ing with him, held fast by his stiffen-
ing fingers.
I had never killed man before, nor
seen man die; and if had stayed to
think about it, should have fallen sick
perhaps. But it was no time for
thought; no time for sickness. The
crowd were close upon US, a line of
flushed threatening faces from wall to
wall. A single glance downwards told
me that the man was dead, and I set
NY IOOU uDOu LIS HSCh
Beasts!" I cried, not loudly this time,
for though I was like one possessed
with rage, it was inward rage, $50 to
your kennels! VIII you dare to raise
a hand against Caylus? Go-or when
the vicomte returns, dozen of you
shall hang in the market placed"
1 suppose I looked fierce enough
know l felt no fear, only strange ex-
altation-for they skunk away. I'm
willingly, but little delay the group
melted, Brezers' following whom I
knew the dead man was one-the last
to so. While 1 still glared at them, loi
the street was empty; the last had dis
appeared round the bend. I turned to
find Gil and half dozen servants stand
ing with pale faces at my back. Croi-
settle seized my hand with sob. ''Oh,
my Lord" cried Gil, quaveringly. But
[ shook one off, [ frowned at the other.
take up this carrion!" said, touch
ing it with my foot, Sc and hang it from
the justice elm. And then close the
gates! See to it, knaves, and lose no
time