Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-14

very touching part. He was saying,
"She gave me little strand of her
hair leaning from the coach window,
and kissed her hand three times and
swore"-and at that moment we heard
noise that would make the starkest
lover swear "blue devils" 1t was the
loud roaring of pistols and musl,ets and
the fierce shouts of men.
We took our swords from their scah-
bards and pistol in each left hand and
! fed down the stairs The men were
arming and rushing forth to support
the guards, and my father was tearing
about in search of his new horse pistols.
| Upon entering the courtyard we found
Red Harding and a handful of men Mt
the great gate and few stout forester'
with boar spears thrusting the enemy
back from the top of the wall where II
! is lowest.
eat theml'' shouted, and Just then
the baron passed me with his days and
two handed sword. We three opened
/ fire on the black heads bUbbng over the
wall. and then turned to see how things
were shaping. The noise of believing
men and crashing guns was fearful.
81 am glad we have a garrison,
said Harry, land lots of half pixies and
boar spears for the plowmen.
dij not answer, for at that moment
tl9 great gate was smashed in and Il
boi' of hurly rui1ians plunged through.
Without turning to look at them, Red
Harding and his men cut and thrust at
G. ft,1l .s
that they gave way, and mp went the
oak again with mighty grindstone
and Il key Of iron bolts to hold it. Eight
fellows had entered, however and these
fought with dash and herceness like
mountain wolves at hay-with very
good chance for life, too, for our gar
rison could not spare its numbers from
the gates and walls.
Harry raised the family warcry
"The Long sword The long sword 80
and followed by me and half dozen
old retainers rushed at them. There was
no loading Of pieces in that tus-le. II
was cut and thlslst, dodge and strike,
give aud take, with kissing breath and
muifled curses. | have never laen more
prond Of my brother than | was then
Though pale Of face. like a bookman,
and more given to writing ballads thar
bouts with single sticks, be played hi,
1.-THE rapier blade against their sword,
and pixies like white lightning Fol
awhile we stood abreast with our mcr
on either side. The invaders mHrheG
our fine linen shirts and powdered han
aud yelled Down with the fine gen
tlemen, Down with the fat landhold
ersl' BY this hoping to win our peas
ants
And, thank God, they held the
land N' cried an old herdor.
got my point into a fellow, drop
ping him so that the next could get a
me. BY the saints, the man who tool
his place was the giant of the cellar
He carried rapier and with it in hi
grip wore the air Of a man Of breeding
We worked back from the others, W,
two He fenced like a master, but hap
PLY for me he had been pricked slight.
in the right shoulder.
Il have the honor of crossing sword
with D Artagan, cadet Of Isstenst" IL
asked.
1.-The same" grunted, rarrying
thrust in quartz.
| backed slowly. He was certainl,
my master in skill
Presently | gained little. 9Th
chief of robbers, | believer" querie'
with fine scorn.
| "Sir Cadet, you are very young AM
very proud, " he said quietly. II wa
, once a very devil at counting quarter
ings and riding to hounds myself"
was filled with surprise at the ton
Of his voice more than at what he said
: for any base born fool can lie about b
[ breeding.