Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-08-02
loud roaring Of pistols and muskets and
tho AarCo shout IA ~ MON

Ii lowest.
"At theml" l shouted, and just then
the baron passed me with his days and
two handed sword. We three opened
fire on the black heads bobbing 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.
l did not answer. for at that moment
the great gate was smashed in and q
body of burly ruffians plunged through.
Without turning to look at them. Red
Harding and his men cut and thrust at
the ones trying to follow. 90 wrathfully
that they gave way, and up went the
oak again with a mighty grindstone
and keg of iron bolts to hold it. Eight
fellows had entered, however, and these
fought with dash and fierceness like
mountain wolves at bay-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:
1.-The Long swordl The long swordl"
and followed by me and half dozen
old retainers rushed at them. There was
no loading Of pieces in that tussle. II
was cut and thrust, dodge and strike,
give and take, with kissing breath and
muffied curses. have never been more
proud Of my brother than was then.
Though pale of face, like a bookman,
and more given to writing ballads than
bouts with single sticks. he played his
1.-THE rapier blade against their swords
and pixies like white lightning. For
awhile we stood abreast with our men
on either side. The invaders marked
our fine linen shirts and powdered hair
and yelled: Down with the fine gen.
tlemenl Down With the fat landhold-
ersl" By this hoping to win our peas
ants.
"And. thank God. they held the
landl" cried an old herder.
got my point into fellow, drop
ping him 80 that the next could get at
me. By the saints, the man who took
his place was the giant of the cellar.
He carried rapier, and with it in his
grip wore the air of man of breeding
We worked back from the others, we
two. He fenced like a master, but hap
PLY for me he had been pricked slightly
in the right shoulder.
II have the honor of crossing swords
with D'Artagan. cadet of Isstensf'' he
asked.
"The same. grunted. parrying a
thrust in quartz.
l backed slowly He was certainly
my master in skill
Presently gained a little 1.-THE
chief of robbers. believer" queried
with fine scorn.
"sir Cadet, you are very young and
very proud, he said quietly. 81 was
once very devil at counting quarter.
.ngs and riding to hounds myself. I"
l was filled with surprise at the tone
of his voice more than at what he said,
for any base born fool can lie about his
breeding
Ny wrist was firing when I saw
with relief that the members of the at
hacking party inside the walls were all
Gilled or captured.
"Pray surrender, sir; your men are
down." painted.
He lowered the point Of his sword.
II surrender to as brave gentleman,
air. as ever clapped hand to hilt, - and
bowling like dancing master he pre-
sented his rapier. Harry and his men
came running toward us.
"This is my prisoner" l cried
through the clatter and din, ''and the
man that harms him answers the
sword of the Cadet
The men turned off to help at the
gates, and Harry said. "Well done,
brother" and followed them.
"Where can leave you 2 must back
to the fight, said hurriedly.
Though am man Of honor. beg
you to turn key on me, for FORMS
sake, he replied.
He seemed to take his capture cheer.
fully. We entered the house and in.
troduced him to one of the larders anG
bolted the door on the outside.
Half an hour later the enemy with
drew. leaving the courtyard ghastly
place of blood. silent bodies and broker
bill, and the soft dawn showing under
the stars. The baron. covered with
blood from wounds on his cheek ani
shoulder. came into the great hall
where our wounded lay moaning ani
the others rested. He dotted his hat ant
in his clear voice cried men, mus
thank you from my heart You hav.
stood tonight where the best trained
troops in Europe would falter. May
God give to all the kings peers as brav,
a following as he has to me and my
house,
He went through the door to the in
ner rooms amid the loyal cheers Of tn,
garrison, and Harry and turned Il
follow him.
"God keep the viscount. . cried biz
plowman.
"And the cadet. sounded muflet
voice from the iarder.
CHAPTER III.