The Winslow mail., 1900-06-07
CHAPTER XXIv.-CoNTINrED


merely add that in order to prevent dis
covery by the neighing of the horses, we had
nuzZled 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 a horse, which caused a clink
of ehain-bit, and a 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 fiercely at
the unfortunate rider, a 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 a
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 | was afraid
of immediate discovery, but so occupied were
the knaves in babbling together, ali 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 a short interval, and the suspense
q
we heard the firm beat of war horse hoof,
and our quarry came in view. First came
Monsignore Bozardo, a 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 me almost dumb with surprise
was that the leader of the escort was none
either than D'Entrangues himself. There
could be no mistake, his visor was up, and |
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 lastl But a 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 ac-
complished. 1t was already in my hand. ]
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 l 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 a moment that lonely room in the Al
bizzi palace, where had kneeled to my God
end sworn to put aside my vengence. The
weapon shook in my grasp.
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
: he
them with shout, and there was clash of
steel, as fierce blows were struck and re-
sceived, now and again short angry oath,
and sometimes cry of pain. / did not want
TO take life, but trooper came at me, so /
3 had to run him through the heart, and the
man fell forward under Castor's hoofs. with
yell shall never forget. The next instant
'D'Entrangues and l crossed blades, and
whether he recognized me or not / do not
know, but he fought with skill and fierce
ness l 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 unhorsed
him. Refining back skillfully he avoided an
other cut l made at him, and drawing a
wheel lock pistol from his holster, fired it
straight at me. At the flash, 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. l 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, |
sprang down from Castor, and raised St.
Armande in my arms. As did this a hoarse
4r1lI
but | had no ears for this, no eyes for any
thing, except the slight figure, which lay in
my arms gasping out its life.
Congratulations, signore, we have taken
the lot, and Jacopo, bleeding and dusty,
rode up beside me.
AT too great price" l groaned; ''help
me to carry" | could say no more.
Here, two of you secure those mules
Bande Mere, see to the wourded-Quecn of
Heaven-the- chevalier-" and Jacopo, Civ
ing his sharpiorders, sprang down beside me,
and together we bore our unconscious bur
den under the shadow of the oaks A dark
figure stepped to our side, and kneeling
down supported the lifeless head on his arm,
whilst hot tears fen from his eyes, as he
prayed over her. 1t was the able
How did this happen?' / asked, "did
not say you were not to move?"
1T was done at once, he answered, 81
could not prevent it-alas! How can carry
this tale back to st. Armande?Y
Water, excellency."
Jacopo had brought some clear water in
his helmet. L thanked him with look, and
he stepped back, leaving US three together,
two who were living, and one who was going
away.
l bathed the forehead and drawn lips,
from which flowed a thin stream of blood,
and as did so her eyes opened, but the film
of death was on them.
''Di Savelli-Ugo-,' and she was gone.
Gone like a flash, flung swiftly and fast
into eternity, struck down, perhaps unwit-
tingly, by the arm which should have been
n shield to her. | have often wondered if
D'Entrangues ever knew who fell to his
pistol shot. If he did, God pity him. In the
one glimpse caught of his white face, as he
swung round and rode off, thought / saw
a look of horror. Bat everything went so
quickly, that then L had no time to think,
and now | can recall but the end.
To her dead lips Carlton pressed his cruci-
fix, into her dead ears he mumbled prayers.
knelt fearless, and prayerless, beside him,
thinking only of the great love that had laid
down life.
One by one my men stole up, and stood in
half circle, leaning on the cross-handles of
their swords, over which the grim, bearded
faces looked down on us in pity.
Suddenly Carlton raised his crucifx aloft.
My Father" he cried, receive her soul!"
And some one said softly:
"Amen!''