The Holly chieftain., 1899-01-27
CHAPTER II.
n. DE ROME CANNOT READ A
CIPHER.

n. DE ROME CANNOT READ A
CIPHER.
When reached the generals pavilion
de Rome was just mounting his horse,
a lackey standing near with a sputter-
ing torch. and his staff in little clump,
q few yards away. salnted. and ho
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."
81 am not likely to forget, NJ. lie Mar
luis," and moved off in the direction
Indicated.
was recognized and welcomed by de
Belin, the young Tavannes, de Cosse-
Brissao, and others of my acquaint-
lnce. I replied as best I might, but
there was no time for much talk, as
the general was moving onwar,is at q
rapid pace, and we were compelled to
!ollow at once. I dropped a little to
the rear, to husband the strength of
ny horse as far as possible, and was
bined by another rider.
''1s that you, Belin?"
"Ma fol! Yes"
II was. surprised to find you here.
thought you were with the archduke
and de Mayenne."
"What! have you not heard?"
''What in the devils name could I
hear on those cursed outposts2"
"Thcn in your ear-the Remois have
gone from us. and de Mayepne and the
Huisard 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"
mo; de Rome has lost the key of the
cipher"
We both laughed, and Belin went on:
1T was droll. saw him receive the
message, which the old fox must have
read at glance. But he turned it this
way and that. and looking at Egmont,
said as calmly as possible: Ride back
to Amiens and fetch me the key. I
have lost mine and cannot follow the
eipher'-but hark!" and Belin inter
rupted himself, "there Is de Rethelois'
good morning"
De Rone's voice stopped any fur
fher talk. and spurred to his side.
'My compliments to Conde de Leyva
and ask him not to waste time shifting
st de Isethelois-tell him to leave suf-
ficient force to hold the garrison in
check, and move across the river
towards st. Gobains-reporty yourself to
me at the ford"
galloped of, and when l reached
.Ae Spaninrd, whom found with some
difficulty, I discovered that he had al
ready anticipated de Rone's orders, and
had besides almost cut of a sortie from
the city. There was nothing for 1t,
therefore, but to wish de Leyva pleas
ant day md to go on to the ford.
BY this time had come to the out
post, and us / trotted past the thorn
hedge saw, about so PAGES OF so to my
right. single hcrseman under a tSee.
His hands were tied behind him, and
cord, Which hung from a branch over
head. ended in . moose secured lightly
but firmly round his neck. His position
was such that II the horse moved nwry
from beneath him he would hang, and
the poor wretch was absorbed in coax
other look showed me It was Nicholas,
the sergeant, and knowing there was
little leisure to lose IL the knave was to
be saved, put spurs to my beast and
headed towards him. was Just in time,
for as started the old trooper gave a
loud neigh, fourished his heels in the
lair. and galloped of towards the enemy,
with his manc and tail streaming in
the wind. A touch of my sword freed
Nicholas. but it was narrow affair,
and he lay gasping on the ground. and
as he lay there noticed that his ears
had been cropped close to his head,
and that the wounds were quite fresh.
He recovered himself in about a min
ute, and was about to tell me how he
came in such plight, but. sincerely
|sorry as was, had to cut him short.
keep the story for another day,
|Nicholas." I said. "and follow the cx.
ample Of your horse, who / sec is
loyal subject, and has gone straight
back to the king"
With these words spurred onwards,
eaving Nicholas to follow my advice
3 not. as. he listed. / had gathered
nough. however, to find out that he
vas victim of NJ. de Gomeron's hu-
mor. Little did think, however, when
p saved this poor fellow how amply /
would be requited hereafter.
l reached the ford Just before the
general. and raw that our right flank
had already crossed the river in the dis
tance. Opposite US the Royalists ap-
peared to be in some confusion; but in
. moment they were restored to order,
and moved steadily ON. Az they reached
the mound whereon the royal guid0n
was displayed. we heard the opening
bars Of the Pont d'Audemer march. and
~ they ceased red tongue Of fame
licked ont from behind cornfield and
y masked battery opened ON NJ.
CHAPTER III.
THE RED coRNF1ELn.