The Winslow mail., 1900-05-03

Felice, and entered the town. Here our
safe-conduct again stood us in good stead.
Indeed, we had difficulty in getting away,
for the Captain Lippi, who held Borghetto
for the Borghia, wished to press his hospi-
tality on us for a few days; but on my
eventually taking him aside, and whispering
to him that l was bound on a confidential
mission, he gave in, but with some little re-
luctance. He, however, invited us to share
his table at dinner. | accepted, but Sir Ar
mande, who was looking very wearied, de-
clined, and dIned quietly with the able at
the "Silver Eel" where ! quartered my
men.
Lippi was an old soldier risen from the
ranks, with a head more full of drill than
suspicion; but in order to remove any such
weed that might be growing there / af-
fected to be so delighted with his conversa-
tion at dinner that l begged the favor of his
accompanying me for league or so on my
way, after we had dined. To this he agreed
with alacrity, and was subsequently sorry
for my pains, for the old bore did not quit
me until we had all but reached the Nera,
and saw the campanile of st. Juvenalis ris-
ing above Narni. We did this portion of the
journey at a rapid pace, as l wanted, if pos
sible, to shake off the captain, but, mounted
on an Apulian, he stuck to me like burr,
dinning into my ears his opinion as to how
the cros5-bow was a weapon as superior 20
the arquebus as the mangonel was above
even Novarro's new cannon. At length he
wished us the day and departed, and the
horses, scenting the end of their days jour
ney, put on fresh speed as galloped
through the oaks that studded the valley of
the Nera. The river here was hemmed into
a narrow ravine, and, crossing by an an
cient bridge of three spans, supposed to have
been built by the Romans, we climbed up
the steep ascent that led to Narni, and
there found food and lodging for both man
and beast, at an albergo, the name OF which,
somehow, | have forgotten. st. Armande
was quite worn out, and saw he was unfit
| ted for any long strain. We suppcd to-
gether, and he retired almost at once. After
supper | had detailed examination of the
horses, and found that one of them had a
sore back. The trooper who owned him
vowed he would not part with him, so | had
to dismiss the man, which did. This re-
| duced my fighting strength to six men, in
cluding Jacopo. | did net include st. Ar
mande and his followers in estimating this,
| putting them down to so much incum-
brance, of which I would soon take care to
DS Ilu was dHAlOuS, however, TO hurry
on, and 50 altered my original plans little,
and in the morning, after we had gone about
a league, turned to st. Armande, and said ::
'Chevalier, it is necessary for me to press
on with all speed. want you, therefore,
| to do me favor"
Anything you like, cavaliere; but we do
not part, do we?"
'1t is this. am going on at once; want
you to take four of my troopers, and with
your own following make for the convent of
st. Jerome. 1t lies little beyond Magione.
Your arrival will be expected. If not, say
you are awaiting me. Await me for week.
Ii do not come then, go back to Rome, and
tell the cardinal what you have done
'tBut 1 thought was to go with you and
share your adventure%
! 81 give you my word of honor, st. Ar
mande, that you will share in the adventure
for which | agreed you should come-share
up to the elbows-but you will spoil every
thing if you do not do,whatI say"
There is pe danger to your