Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-13

AT times I would lose sight Of my
charge as it rolled down in valley
ahead. After we had covered more than
half of our journey, upon topping
hill saw the coach at standstill, and.
barring the road, a hdrseman. The
driver was gesticulating vehemently
and ever and anon jerking his thumb
back in my direction.
The horseman threatened him with
pistols. A slight pressure of my sword
sent Hagart laundering down the hill
toward them. 1 held the bride in my
teeth and in my left hand dag, in my
right my rapier. The horseman looked
at me. fred hurriedly in my direction.
and, wheeling, fled.
Hagart passed the coach like black
wind, and over the next hill we went.
Not far in front. travelling level road
and lying forward in his saddle, sped
the highwayman. Ny blood sang hot.
and the coach was forgotten. Once
when ! had drawn well up on my quarry
Turned and saw the four horses bring.
ing along the coach at their best pace
80 swiftly indeed that it lurched like
a boat.
On we dashed. Hagart still running
fresh. Of a sudden the man ahead jerk
ed his horse back, leaped from his sad
die with great skill and fred his other
pistol. The ball whispered in my ear.
Upon seeing me come on unhurt he
tossed the weapon into the air and dis.
appeared into the woods. 1t was mad
ness for man with weak leg to think
of following him. So rode on, intend
ing to await the coach at the span Of
the gradual hill ahead. When reached
this spot, saw in front of me. not half
mile away, the little village. the blue
winter sea beyond and ship lying at
anchor. Across the sand dunes trotted
the riderless horse. its head high in the
air and turning this way and that. as if
in search of something. Its shrill whin-
nying was blown back to me on the salt
breeze. and felt true sorrow for the
faithful brute. Thus, thought, would
my brave Hagart look and call for me.
and patted his cleaning neck.
The coach passed me while stood,
with my back turned to the road, gaz-
ing out at the sea. A boat was beached,
and number Of seamen waited on the
sand. The coach was driven to the edge
of the waves. and in few minutes the
driver turned his horses heads inland,
and the boat put out for the ship. The
Rose lay some distance from shore.
When the coach passed on its return.
the fellow on the box saluted me with
much respect. He was lusty, gray
haired man, with the look of trusty
servant. "Are you armed3" I cried.
And for answer he brought to view q
bell mouth gun.
The highwayman' g horse disappeared
after him. with stirrups flying wide.
Seeing now that the boat had reach
ed the ships side. rode down over
the dunes and through the single street
Of the village to the lip of the sea.
And now came'a large boat, and, up
on its nearing, saw that an officer sat
at the tiller. 1t was soon, nose up. on
the sand, and the officer stepped out
and saluted me.
II am Captain Anderson. sir, }" be
said.
bowed, gave him my name and
drew my papers from my coat. He but
| glanced at the seal and said all was
right.
Hagart, after some encouragement,
allowed me to lead him into the boat,
and. upon reaching the Rose, he was
hoisted aboard without much difficulty.
Now" said l to the captain, 81
will see the prisoner"
"She is in the cabin, sir, he an
swered. land believe she expects
| you"
tNow, the devil have itr' fumed.
"Is there woman thrust on my
handsf" And went straightway down
the nearest hatch and into a large and
well appointed cabin. But the appoint.
ments l did not notice till later, fol
there, standing with her face toward
the door. was the Princess Barbara.
In flash all came over me, and
would have blessed the king for hi
good heart, had any wits been left me
But stood like fool, holding fast t
the knob of the door which had closed
behind me.
"Ah. D'Artagan, she cried softly
her eyes trimming with tears, her fac,
light with happiness. Ibid you neve,
suspect it in all your long rider
And Of the ten minutes following
/ greater and more skilled writer than
would do but poor justice.
When we assembled to the deck to
gether- she in her red cloak trimmed
with fur we found Captain Anderson
at the rail, gazing back at the recedinf
shores. He turned on our approach ant
in an instant must have read all in tn
joy Of our faces.
| Bowling, he said, "The stranges
meetings, my lady. are sometimes tn
happiest, and then he winked at m
in the English manner.
The voyage was short, and ] believ
the winds favorable, though Of tn
winds and the sea took little notice
for as true soldier I must needs kee
careful eye on my prisoner.
Our ship entered London harbor on
morning Of the thickest fog. The cap
tain and his two officers put to shor
s s &