The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-02-23
Copyright. 1895. by D. Appleton 6; Co.
All rights reserved.]
CHAPTER XXIV.-CoNT1NUED.

CHAPTER XXIV.-CoNTINUED
I borrowed an arquebus from one Of my
men, and the arrangement was that we were
to charge out after volley, the first shot of
which 1 was to fire. All being now ready, it
was only necessary for us to wait. would
merely add that in order to prevent dis
covery by the neighing of the horses, we had
muzzled ours as far as possible. There was
now dead silence, that was only broken by
the rustic of the leaves overhead, an occa-
sional crack amongst the dry boughs as a
squirrel moved against them, or the uneasy
movement of horse, which caused clink
of a chain-bit, and straining sound made
by the feathers of the saddlery, that was not
in reality so loud as it seemed; but caused
Jacopo and Bande Mere to scowl tiercely at
the unfortunate rider, scowl which was
only equaled by their stolidly impassive
faces, when their own beasts sinned. We
had not long to wait; presently we heard
voices shouting, the clatter of horses trot-
ting, a rapid refining in at the ascent, and
number of followers and lackeys, some
mounted on horses, others on mules, with
led mules beside them, came past, and went
on, needless of the eager faces watching
them through the trees. One or two of our
horses became so uneasy that l was afraid
OF immediate discovery, but so occupied were
the knaves in babbling together, all at once,
that what with this, and the thwacking of
their animals, and in some cases the efforts
to remain on, We remained unnoticed. Then
there was short interval, and the suspense
was strained to breaking point. In while
we heard the firm beat of a war horses hoof,
and our quarry came in view. First came
Monsignore Bozardo, tall, thin man,
wrapped in purple cloak, with fur cap
on his head. He rode a strong ambling
mule, and by his side was the commander of
the escort. Immediately behind were four
troopers, then the mules with the ducats,
behind these again six other lances, whilst
the rear was brought up by half-a-dozen
lackeys, without sword amongst them. But
what struck Inc almost dumb with surprise
was that the leader of the escort was none
other than D'Entrangues himself. There
could be no mistake, his visor was up, and 1
saw the sallow face, the long red mustache,
and almost caught the cold CLINT of his cruel
eye. At last! l raised my arquebus and
covered him. At last! But touch of my
finger and the man was dead. l could not
miss, my heart was mad within me, but my
wrist was firm as steel. In another moment
he would be dead, dead, and my revenge &C
complished. 1t was already in my hand. I
looked aside for a second at the line of
breathless faces watching me, then back
again to the muzzle of my weapon. Den
trangues was now not 20 yards away. l
could scarcely breathe as pointed the ar
quebus at his heart. had already begun
to press the trigger, when something seemed
to come across my mind like lightning. l
saw IN moment that lonely room in the Al
bizzi palace, where l had kneeled to my God
and sworn to put aside my vengence. The
weaDon ShooE in INV prasn
Fire, signore," whispered Jacopo hoarsely.
With an effort jerked the muzzle in the
air, and pulled the trigger. The report was
followed by four others, and two of the
troopers fell. The next moment we were on
them with shout, and there was clash of
steel, as fierce blows were struck and re-
eeived, now and again short angry oath,
and sometimes a cry of pain. did not want
to take life, but trooper came at me. so
had to run him through the heart, and the
man fell forward under Castor's hoofs. with
yell shall never forget. The next instant
OEntrangues and / crossed blades, and
whether he recognized me or not do not
know, but he fought with a skill and fierce
ness I have never seen equaled. At last
lost my temper, and cut savagely at him. He
parried on the forte of his blade, but SO
furious was the stroke that it broke the
weapon in his hand, and almost endorsed
him. Refining back skillfully he avoided an
other cut 1 made at him, and drawing a
wheel lock pistol from his holster, fired it
straight at me. At the fash, some one
dashed between US. heard a scream which
froze the blood in me, and body lurched
forward and fell to my side, whilst rider
less horse plunged through the press, and
galloped away. saw the light of the golden
head as it fell, and forgetting everything,
forgetting D'Entrangues, forgetting all but
the fact that dreadful deed was done, I
sprang down from Castor, and raised st.
Armande in my arms. As did this a hoarse
yen from my men told me the day was won;
SSt had NO ears for this. no eyes for any