Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-28
CHAPTER X.
THE FLIGHT TO THE MOUNTAIN


Nv ride into Blatenburg was IN
eventful | verify believe that if saints
and devils had been placed alternately
for the whole way at every milepost !
would not have seen them On reach
ing the city made my way through
the crowds to the inn we had staid at
before and handed Hagart over to red
headed hostler | noticed his head be-
cause Sir Willis was Of the same color
Without eating breakfast went mp
the hill toward the royal palace and
gent in my name to his majesty
He was in his dressing chamber-not
being an early riser except on hunting
mornings-snd told the footman to
send me in.
bowed low, and he returned my
salute graciously
After inquiring after the health of
all connected with the house of LISTENS
he asked my reason for honoring him
with visit
"You did not seem at all anxious TO
spend your time with me when You
were here before he said
"Your majesty. | have come to offer
my sword and if you have something
out of the common that a humble gen
tleman who is not afraid to fight and
ride can do for you | beg the commits
sion, | answered
"By heavens, sir You have come in
the nick of time Here is letter and a
little package | would like to have de-
livered at the court of Cloburg as soon
as horses can get You there
Il will start in half an hour, re-
piled
He handed me the package and the
letter and a signet ring with the royal
arms.
"Show that whenever you want a
change Of horse, he said, land here is
purse which will cover expenses.
Good morning, SIR
| bowed myself out and returned to
the inn where ate a scanty meal and
then ordered my horse went ont Of
the western gate of the city and started
away on a good road of solid red earth
Fruit trees-pears, apples and plums-
grew here in great quantities The
meadows were high with grass, and in
fields the haymakers were at work
The people ran to the cottage win
dows to see me dash past on my big
black horse
AT the end Of 80 miles | drew rein at
an inn door and dismounting, gave di-
rections for the feeding and care of
Hagart, until ! should return for him
Then | showed the royal seal to- the
landlord and asked to have a good horse
Eos in A oly "a
beer and few slices of cold fowl fresh
ened me wonderfully With "A long leg
ged brown mare under me and the sun
still high in the heavens | started of
on my second stage of 80 miles | will
not describe the country through which
! rode, for ] took little heed Of it OLD
memories filed my mind, which could
not dispel
1t was dusk when l made my next
stop, but in 20 minutes ! was off again,
with round barreled black between
my knees Frogs fluted in the swamps
bats whirled and circled and dogs
barked in the farmyards Hard riding
above all things, is an exercise | car
stand The glory of the canter, the ex
element of the gallOp--it was all tonic
TO my moody spirits drew rein at ;
little wayside inn and struck sharply
on the door with my sword From the
saddle could lay my hand on tn,
thatch of the roof A stout OLE fellow
IN nlEhtcap and little else answered
my summons, He held candle at
dangerous slant The tallow drippeC
over his hand.
"Have you bed for me, my mani
asked and showed him the signet
He screwed up his eyes at Inc 9TH
very best, MILFORD and the sheets al
put away with lavender a"
Good | will see TO the horse my
self, said /, "while you get the bed
ding out Of the lavender
He brought me lantern and lee
the nag away, and after some troub
yanked open the door of the stable
After fixing the good beast for the nigh
! looked into the neighboring stall
There stood little chestnut mare, tn
very model Of grace, speed and intel
ligence.