Evening star., 1901-09-21
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Death Cart.


Thus came the little Isabel of Spain into
the sanctuary. That the respite could only
be temporary Rollo knew too well. The
monks were stout and willing men, but
such arms as they had belonged to almost
primitive times, chiefly old plunderbusses
of various patterns, from the middle Of the
sixteenth century to the end OF the eigh-
teenth, together with a halbert or two,
which had been used from time immemori-
al in the Hermitage kitchen for breaking
bones to get out the marrow, chOpping
firewood and such like humble and peace
full occupations.
Two of the remaining brothers of the
Ermita were as other men, plain, simple
and devout, ready to give up their lives,
either by dying of disease at their post Of
duty, or by the steel of cruel and ignorant
men, as the martyrs and confessors of
whom they read in their breviaries had
done in times past.
The cook -almoner, on the other hand,
proved to be a shrewd little man, with
much ready conversation, great humorist
at most times, yet with a due regard for
his own safely. Him the little princess
knew well having often stolen off through
the gardens and down the long mall to
taste his confectioned cakes.
The fourth and principal friar proved
upon acquaintance to be man of another
mold. He was tall, square-shouldered
man, now little bent with age, but with
the fires Of loyalty burning deep within
eyes Of the clearest and most translucent
blue His hair was now quickly frosting
over with premature infirmity, for not only
was his constitution feeble, but he was
just recovering from a dangerous attack
of pneumonia. Altogether Brother Teodoro
was northern-looking rather than a Span
ish man. 1t was with Brother Teodoro
hot n1In In oh lou
discussed the possibilities of the hermitage
as place of defense. 1t was clear that
no ordinary military precautions and prep
arations would serve them now The four
brethren were willing, if need were, to lay
down their lives for the young queen. But
saving the pistols and the limited ammuni-
tion which Rollo had brought with him in
his belt, and the bell-mouthed blunder-
busses aforesaid, rusted and useless, there
was not weapon of offense within the
Hermitage of San Ildefonso of greater
weight than the kitchen poker.
The BASQUE friar laid his hand on his
brow and leaned against the wall for a
minute or two in silent meditation.
Il have it, he said suddenly turning
upon Rollo. ''it is our only chance-a ghast-
ly one it is true, but we are in no case for
cart and gather us an army"
Rollo gazed at the monk Teodoro as If he
had suddenly lost his wits
The death cart! What is that?". he
cried, land how will that help us to gather
an army?''
The Basque smiled and Rollo noticed
when he did so that his eyebrows twitched
spasmodically. There was broad scar
slashed across one Of them. This man
had not been in TIE army of the Gran
Lor" for nothing! For in addition to the
saber cut he had great ideas under that
blue-veined, broad, sick mans forehead of
his.
Yes answered Teodoro calmly. "our
brother whose duty 1t was to collect the
bodies of the plague-Stricken died two days
ago, and the oxen have not been in the
town since. AS for me, /, too, have been
sick-a mere calenture, though for a time
| the brethren feared that the plague had
laid its hand on me, and as for those other
two, they have enough to do to keep up
their mnistrations among the living! To
give the last sacrament to the dying is
after all more important than to cover up
the dead. Tonight we will make of these
very dead an army to defend our little
queen-the Lords anointed. For in this
matter l do not think as do the most of
my brothers OF the church. am no Car
list, God be my witness!'
Rollo was still In a maze Of wonder and
doubt when they arrived at the little sta
bles attached to the long, low building of
\ of the hermitage and began to harness the
his qutckness of resource, but this was
clean beyond him.
"One of us must abide here" continued
the monk. II am still sick unto death. SO
that l greatly fear that can give you no
help. But lend me your pistols, OF which
you Will have no need. I am an old SOL
dter OF the wars OF the Independence and
nave not forgotten my skill with the weap-
ons or the flesh. Do not fear for the lit-
tie princess! Only make such speed as
you can!'
And with the utmost haste the BASQUE
] instructed Rollo a. to his behavior when