Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-10-26

OF OUR COMING TO TAUNTON.


fallen over the countryside and the sun
had sunk behind the distant Quantock
and Brendon Hills as our rude
column of rustic infantry pod-
ded through Curry Rivell Wran-
tage and Henlade. At every way
side cottage and red-tiled farmhouse the
people swamcd out as we passed, with
jugs full of milk or beer, shaking hands
with our yokels and pressing food and
drink upon them. In the little villages,
old and young came buzzing to greet us,
and cheered long and loud for King
Monmouth and the Protestant cause.
The stay-at-homes were mostly elderly
folks and children, but here and there
young laborer, whom hesitation or duties
had kept back, was so carried away by
our martial appearance, and by the Wis
ible trophies of our victory, that he
snatched up weapon and Joined our
ranks.
The sllirmish had reduced our num-
bers, but it had done much to turn our
rabble of peasants into real military
force. The leadership of Saxon, and his
stern short words of praise or of cenSure,
had done even more. The men kept
some sort of formation, and stepped to-
gether briskly in a compact body. The
Olu SoIulef ana rOue at the nedu VI lHe
column. with Master Pettigrue still
walking between us. Then came the
cartful of our dead, whom we were
carrying with us to insure their decent
burial. Behind this walked two score
of scythe and sickle men, with their rude
weapons over their shoulders, preceding
the wagon in which the wounded were
carried. This was followed by the main
body of the peasants, and the rear was
brought up by ten or twelve men under
the command Of Lockarby and Sir Ger
vas. mounted upon captured chargers,
and wearing the breast plates swords
and carbines of the Dragons.
| observed that Saxon rode with his
chin upon his shoulder, casting continual
uneasy glances behind him, and hating
at every piece of rising ground to make
sure that there were no pursuers at our
heels. 1t was not until, after many
weary miles Of marching, the lights of
Taunton could be seen twinkling far off
in the valley beneath us, that he at last
heaved a deep sigh of relief, and ex
pressed his belief that all danger was
over.
Il am not prone to be fearful upon
small OCCASION" he remarked, 'but ham
pered as we are with wounded men and
prisoners. it might have puzzled Petrnus
himself to know what we should have
done had the cavalry oyertaken us. |
pipe in peace, without prcking up my
ears at every chance rumble of a wheel
or shout of village roisterer."
Even had they pursued u.s." said the
minister, stoutly. ''as long az the hand
of the Lord shall shield US, why should
we fear them?'
"Ay, ay!' Saxon answered, impa
tiently, hut the devil prevalent AT
times. Were not the chosen people
themselves overthrown and led into cap
tivity? How say YOU, Clarke"
''Onc such skirmish is enough fer a
day" | remarked. Faith! il instead
Of charging us they had continued that
forth or been shot where we lay"
For that reason | forbade our friends
with the muskets to answer it, said
Saxon. Our silence led them to think
that we had but n pistol or two among
US, and 50 brought them to charge Us.
Thus our volley became the more terri
flying since it was unexpected. III
wager there was not man among them
who did not feel that he had been led
into a trap. Mark you how the rogues
wheeled and fed with one accord. as
though it had been part of their daily
drill
The peasants stood to it like men"
remarked.
There ~ nothing like tincture Vt
Calvinism for stiffening a line Of bat
tie" said Saxon. Look at the Swede
when he is at home. What more honest
simple-hearted fellow could you find,
with no single soldierly virtue, save that
he could put away more spruce beer than
you would care 10 pay for. Yet if you
do but cram him with a few strong
homely texts. place a pike in his hand,
and give him Gustavus to lead him
there is no infantry in the world that
can stand against him. On the other
hand. / have seen young Turks, I'M
trained to arms. strike in on behalf Of
the Koran as Justify as these brave fell
lows behind us did for the Bible which
Master Pettigrue held up in front OF
them
lCnntinned next Wnek