Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-10-19
Nv.
OF OUR BRUSH WITH THE KINGS
DRAGONS.

Some little distance from us a branch
road ran into that along which we and
our motley assemblage of companions III
arms were travelling. This road curved
down the side of a well-woOded hill, and
then over the level for a quarter of a
mile or so before opening on the other.
Just at the brow of the rising ground
there stood a thick bristle of trees. amid
the trunks of which there came and went
bright simmer of sparkling steel.
which proclaimed the presence of armed
men, Farther back, where the road took
sudden turn and ran along the ridge
of the hill, several horsemen could be
plainly seen outlined against the evening
sky. So peaceful, however, was the long
sweep of country side, mellowed by the
golden light of the setting sun, with
score of village steeples and manor
houses peeping out from among the
woods, that it was hard to think that the
thuu6ercoud of war was really lowering
over that fair valley, and that at any in
slant the lightning might break from 1t;
The country folk, however, appeared
to have no difficulty at all in understands
ing the danger to which they We're eX-
posed, The fugitiveS from the west gave
Il yell of CONSERVATION, and ran wildly
down the road or whipped up their beasts
of burden in the endeavOr to place as
selves and the threatened attack The
chorus of shrill cries and shouts. with
the cracking of whips. creaking of wheels
and the occasional crash when some cart
load of goods came to grief, made up a
most deafening uprOar, above which our
leaders voice reSOunded in sharp, eager
eXhortatiOn and command. When, how
ever, the loud brazen shrek from a bugle
broke from the woods, and the head of Il
troop of horse began to descend the slope,
the panic became greater still, and 1t was
difficult for us to preserve any order at
all amid the wild rush of the terrified
fugitives.
stop that cart, Clarke" cried Saxon.
vehemently, pointing with his sword to
an old wagon, piled high with furniture
and bedding, which was numbering along
drawn by two raw-bOned colts. At the
same moment | saw him drive his horse
into the crowd and catch at the reins of
another similar one. Giving Covenants
bride shake | was soon abreast of the
cart which he had indicated. and man
aged to bring the furious young horses
to standstill.
Bring it up!' cried our leader work
ing with the GOODNESS which only long
apprenticeship to war can give. Now,
friends. cut the tracesr' A dozen knives
were at work in a moment, and the kick
ing. struggling animals scampered off
leaving their burdens behind them. Sax
on sprang off his horse and set the exam
pie in dragging the wagon across the
roadway. while some of the peasants,
under the direction of Reuben Lockarby
and of Master Joshua Pettigrue. ar
ranged a couple of other carts to block
the way fifty yards farther down. The
latter precaution was to guard against
the chance of the royal horse riding
through the fields and attacking us from
behind. So speedily was the scheme con-
ceived and carried out. that within a
very few minutes of the first alarm we
found ourselves protected front and rear
by lofty barricade, while within this
improvised fortress was a garrison of
$50 men.
what firearms have we among us?'
asked Saxon, hurriedly..
"A dozen pistols at the most" replied
the elderly Puritan, who was addressed
by his companions as Hope-above Will
liams. John Roadway, the coachman,
hath his blunderbuss. There are also
two cody men from Hungerford, who
are keepers of game, and who have
brought their pieces with them"
They are here. sir" cried another,
| pointing to two stout, bearded fellows.
who were ramming charges into their
| long-bar-eled muSkets. Their names
are Wat and Nat Milman.
Two who can hit their mark are
worth a battalion who shoot wide" our
! leader remarked. Get under the wag-
on. my friends, and rest yonr pieces
upon the spokes. Never draw trigger
until the sons Of Belial are within three
pixies length OF ye."
my brother and l." quoth one of
them, "can hit q running doe at 200
PAGES. Our lives are in the hands Of the
| Lord. but two, at least of these hired
! butchers we shall send before Us"
LAS gladly as ever We slew st0at or
wildcat" cried the other slipping under
Z the wagon. we are keeping the Lords
/ preserves now, brother Wat. and truly
/ these are some OF the vermin that infest
| them"
Let all who have pistols line the yag-
on" said Saxon. tying his mare 70 the