The Winslow mail., 1900-03-22
CHAPTER XII.-CoNT1NUED.


my spurs home, the good horse plunged for
wards, topping the bank almost the in
slant that the ambassadors, who rushed
out with a shout, reached it. The man to
the left, who was riding white horse, pulled
up in an unaccountable manner, and max
ing a point at the one on my sword side, l
ran him through the throat, my blade twist
ing him clean round in the saddle as
dashed on. The attacking party, coming
at great pace, were carried by their
horses down the slope into the stream, and
before they could turn l had gained a fair
start, and to my joy heard Jacopo swearing
as he galloped behind me.
"Maldettol / could not fire. signore-you
were right in front of me-but here goes.
He turned back in his saddle, and would
have let off his piece had | not shouted
out:
Hold! holdl till tell you," and for
tunately he heard my words, or the chances
were there would have been a miss with
no opportunity of reloading.
We gained a full hundred yards before
the others recovered themselves, coming
after us with yells of anger, and distinctly
heard Ceci's voice:
1.-TWO hundred crowns for them, dead or
alivei"
che start and meant to keep it; but their
horses were the fresher, and it became a
mere question of who could last longest.
We made the pace as hot as we could, in
the hope that If we came to close quarters
again some of our pursuers would have
tailed behind. For little time things went
well, and | was beginning to think we
should be able to show our friends clean
pair of heels, when suddenly felt my horse
putting, stretching his neck forward and
holding on to the bit, in a manner which
left no doubt to my mind that he was done.
Jacopo, too, called OUT
1--WE had better fight it out, excelleney;
my horse is blown"
Before giving a final answer, slung round
in the saddle to see how the enemy were get
ting on. The only two who were at our
heels was the man mounted on the white
horse, who had pulled aside in so strange
manner when charging me, and another,
whom / could not make out. The rest were
we'll behind, but riding hard. We could
probably account for these two, and turn
ing back shouted to Jacopo:
''All right; fight it out"
AS l said this my horse stumbled and
rolled clean over, killing himself on the
spot, but fortunately throwing me clear of
had Just time to scramble to my feet, when
the two foremost of our pursuers were upon
Us.
Jacopo had been carried some yards on by
the speed of his mount, but as the men came
up he turned sharp round in his saddle and
fired. The report was followed by yell
of pain, and the leading horseman fell: the
other, who bestrode the white horse, again
sheering off from me. Here he met with
Jacopo, who was coming back at a gallop,
and, it seemed to me, flung himself from
his horse doing this in so clumsy man.
ner as to be Immediately ridden over by
my knave.
'Mount-mount, excellency-mount be-
aind mel" and Jacopo steadied hisNhorse
But there was no time, and three of the re-
manning horsemen dashed up. Two of the
horses SHE'D past the body of my animal,
but the third came boldly up, and the rider
Immediately engaged Jacopo. / could not
give my brave fellow any aid, for my time
as fully occupied in dealing with my own
adversarles. Their horses were too fresh, or
not well in hand, by great good luck, and
so they could not manage to came at me
together. Seeing this, made dash across
the road into the wood-it was but few
feet-and both my adversaries followed,
Will Tue TeSulC LudC Tile morse OF one OF
them put his foot in a rut, and, stumbling
forwards, unseated his rider, and the other,
in aiming a cut at me, got his sword en-
tangled for a second in an overhang-
ing bough. This second was, however,
enough for me to give him six inches of
cold steel, and he pulled round and rode off,
dropping his sword, and swinging from side
to side III his saddle like a drunken man.
The man who had fallen from the horse
was nowhere to be seen. Indeed did not
look for him, but rushed back to the as
e sistance of Jacopo, and this time, having
opportunity for observing, if only for a
twinkling, saw his opponent was my friend,
the sham monk. He, however, had as
quick an eye, and, taking in the situation,
made a sudden charge at Jacopo, and as
suddenly wheeling his horse to the left,
shot past him and fed on ahead, leaving US
masters of the situation.
Are you hurt, excellency?" called out
Jacopo.
Not in the least. How are you?"
Nothing but a scratch, excellency, which
l received from his reverence, who with
all his monkish cowl, wields good weapon"
IT, well, jump down and let us see who our
friends are, but first let us look at your
wound.'
lit is really nothing, as ! said, sgnore,"
and Jacopo sprang lightly to earth. did
not, however, listen to him, and taking
from him his Gint and steel, lighted piece
of dry wood, which | converted into torch.
With the aid of this and the moonlight,
! examined Jacopos wound, which after
all was but slight, and had just bandaged
it up with my kerchief, when | became
aware that the man whom Jacopo had rid
den over had risen on his hands and
knees, and was crawling off in the brush
wood.
STEADY, .friend,' / said, and running up
TO him. gave him prick with my sword as
hint to stop. He made little outcry,
but had the good sense to take the hint,
and casting the light of the torch on his
face ! recognized. my old acquaintance, the
,oncent Brico.
so. signore," ! said. 81 have again to
be thankful to you."
,lacopo, too. came up and recognized the
man at a glance.
"Cappital" he burst out, "but it is the
ancient Brico. Shall | beat his brains out,
exceIlency?"
Mercy, most noble CAVALIER" exclaimed
Brico, Il yield me to ransom"
Ransom forsooth!" called out Jacopo,
such ransom as a moose will give you. Pre-
pare TO die"
BE quiet. Jacopo." said. ''the ancient
has yielded TO ransom, and we will leave
him 10 discuss the terms with the moon.
Fetch me the bride from my poor horse
yonder, and bind this knave firmly"
,iacopo needed no second bidding, and in
faS L.. \