Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-06
CHAPTER XXI.

What was to be dones That was the
| question, and terrible question 1t was.
Behind us we had the inhospitable coun-
| try, dark and dreary, the night wind
sweeping over 1t. In front. where the
lights twinkled and the smoke of the town
went up, we were like to meet with q
savage reception. And 1t was no time for
weighing alternatives. The choice had to
be lnade-mado in u moment / marvel
to this dry Mt the quickness with which I
nude 1T for good or ill.
We must get into the town." cried
imparatively, and before the alarm is
given. 1t is hopeless to fly, Master BERTHE,
ana we cannot spend another night In the
fields. Quick, madam!" l continued to
the duchess as she came up. did not
wait to hear his opinion, for saw he was
stunned by the catastrophe. I'VE have
hurt one OF the town guard through a
mistake. We must gee through the gate
before it is diseoycred!"
l seized her rein aud 1ogged up her
horse and gave her no time to ask ques
tions, but urged on tho party at q hard
gallop until the gate was reached. The
attempt, l knew, was desperate, for the
two men who had escaped had ridden
resource, and it seemed to me to be better
to surrender peaceably. if that were pos
sible, than to expose the women to anoth-
err night of such cold md hunger US the
last. And fortune SO far favored us that
when we reached the gate 1t was open.
Probably, the patrol having ridden
through to get holp, no one had thought
fit to close it, and, no one withstanding
or
tho archway and entered the street.
1t was curious entry, and curious
scene we came upon. / remember now
how strange it all looked. The houses,
leaning forward in dozen quaint forms,
clear cut against the pale evening sky,
caused % darkness as of cavern in the
marrow street below. Hero and there in
the midst of this darkness hung lantern,
which, making the gloom away from it
seem deeper, lit up the things about it,
throwing into naring prominence some
barred window with scared face peering
from it, somo corner with u puddle,
sinking dog, q broken fight OF steps.
just within tho gate stood a brazier full of
glowing coal, and beside it n halbert rest
ed against tho wall. l OWNED that the
Waterman had run into the town with
tho riders, and drew rein in doubt, lis
tcning ard looking l think if we had
ridden straight OH then all might have
been we'll, or ut least we might have been
allowed to give ourselves up
But wo hesitated q moment and were
lost No doubt though we saw but one
there were score of people watching US,
who took us for four men, Master BERTHE
aud being in front, and these. judging
from the boldncss of our entry that there
were more behind, concluded that this was
a foray upon the town. At any rate, they
took instant advantage OF our pause
With n swift whir an iron pot came hur
Ting past me, and missing the duchess by
a hands breadth went clanking under the
eatehouse That served for signal. In
a moment an alarm of hostile cries rose
all round us. An arrow whizzed between
my horse feet. Half dozen odd mis-
siles, snatched up by hasty hands, came
rnining in on us out of the gloom. The
town seemed to be rising as one man.
bell began to ring, and hundred yards
in front. where the street branched off to
right and left, the way seemed suddenly
aliye from wall to wall with lights and
voices and brandished arms, the gleam of
steel and the babel of fIriaus crowds
crowd making down toward us with a
purpose we needed no German to inter
pref.
1t was horrible moment, the more
horrible that had not expected this fury
md was unnerved Us we'll as taken aback
by it. Rcmem bering that had brought
nv companions here, and that two were
women, one was a child, quailed, How
.ould / protect thems There WAS no mis-