Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-11-17

as ~ this hour 10 was worse than use
less to attempt to find my lackey
Jacques; whom had left behind In the
camp with my belongings when went
on to the outposts. lettering my horse
to a stump. removed the saddle. which
made shift to use as a cushion, and.
leaning my back against it. was soon
as comfortable as circumstances would
permit My sleep could not have lasted
much more than an hour; but so pro
found was ii that ages seemed to have
passed when I awoke with start, and
the consciousness of movement around
me. The moon was on the wane; but
saw that the camp was astir, and that
the men were being mustered as silent
Iy as possible.
so things are about to happen" ]
said to myself, recalling de Ronas
words, and. hastily saddling my horse.
sprang on his back. and moved towards
| the generals tent. All around me was
the muffied tramp Of feet, the jingle of
chain bits and steel scabbards. the
plunging of impatient horses, and
subdued hum of voices. above which
rose now and again hoarse word OF
command. as regiment after regiment
wheeled into position on the level
stretch before us.
When reached the generals pavilion
de Rome was just mounting his horse,
lackey standing near with a sputter-
ing torch, and-his staff in little clump,
few yards away. l saluted, and he
gave me keen look, saying:
$50 you have come, NJ. d'Auriac-take
your place with the staff. ] will give
you your work later on-and remem-
ber."
II am not likely to forget. NJ. lie Mar
quis." and l moved off in the direction
Indicated.
was recognized and welcomed by de
Belin, the young Tavannes, de Cosse-
ance. / replied as best might, but
there was no time for much talk, as
the general was moving EDWARDS at
rapid pace. and we were compelled to
follow at once. l dropped little to
the rear, to husband the strength of
my horse as far as possible, and was
joined by another rider.
rs that you, Belin?"
ma foil Yes"
~ was surprised to find you here. !
thought you were with the archduke
and de Mayenne."
"Whatl have you not heardy'
what in the devils name could ]
hear on those cursed outposts?"
"Thcn in your ear-the Remois have
gone from us, and de Mayenne and the
Guisard have passed over to the king.
My news is certain. and the archduke
has sent cipher to de Rome bidding
him retreat at once on Amiens."
But this does not look like a re
treat"
NO; de Rome has lost the key of the
cipher"
We both laughed, and Belin went on:
ut was droll. saw him receive the
message, which the old fox must have
read at a glance. But he turned il this
way ard that, and looking at Egmont,
said as calmly as possible: Ride back
TO Amiens and fetch me the key.
have lost mine and cannot follow the
hark!" and Belin inter
rupted himself, "there is de Rethelois'
good morning"
De Rone's voice stopped any fur.
Their talk. and l spurred to his side.
my compliments to Condo de Leyva
and ask him not to waste time splitting
It de Rethelois-tell him to leave a suf
icient force to hold the garrison in
heck, and move across the river
owards 81. Gobains-report yourself to
ne at the ford"
galloped off. and when reached
discovered that he had al
'eady anticipated de Rone's orders, and
lad besides almost cut off sortie from
he city. There was nothing for 1t,
therefore,. but to wish de Leyva pleas
int day and to go on to the ford.
By this time had come TO the out
post, and as l trotted past the thorn ,
hedge saw, about so PAGES or so to my
light, a single hcrseman under tree.
lis hands were tied behind him, and
ord, which hung from a branch over
cad, ended in a moose secured lightly
,ut firmly round his neck. His position
vas such that il the horse moved away
rom beneath him he would hang, and
he poor wretch was absorbed in coax
ng the animal TO remain steady. An
Their look showed me it was Nicholas.
he sergeant, and knowing there was
title leisure to lose If the lxnave was to
e saved, | put spurs to my beast and
eaded towards him. was just in time. B
or as I started the old trooper gave
oud neigh, fourished his heels in the
ir, and galloped off towards the enemy.
With his name and tail streaming in
he wind. A touch of my sword freed
iicholas, but it was narrow affair, 4
nd he lay gasping on the ground, and
S he lay there l noticed that his ears
ad been cropped close to his head. !,
nd that the wounds were quite fresh l
e recovered himself in about min
tie, and was about to tell me how he
anne in such a plight, but, sincerely
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