The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-08-07

iuosly mistrust his cOnsellOrs, and that
with reason"
1t was now Walworth's time to
thrust forward. "Ah, you knave" he
shouted, riding in with threatening
gesture, "are you so hardy as to speak
such words in the kings presence"
| Tyler refined his horse back a pace
and laid his hand on his sword. SIN
Gods name, sir mayor" he cried con-
temptuously, "what have | said to dis
please you? Are you of the kings
council?"
Walworth said nothing, but sudden
ly drawing his sword from under his
cloak, spurred his horse forward and
struck fercely at the hardy rebel.
The blow took effect between the neck
and shoulder. Tyler was unarmed, and
the sword bit deep. Still he had
strength enough to draw and stood on
the defensive.
"Hold!" cried the king. angrily.
cit is not well DONE" But his voice
was lost in the cry that followed this
sudden action; if it were heard it was
not needed. Walworth's horsemen
spurred in, and Tyler was borne from
his horse mortslly wounded.
Ralph Hardelot involuntarily echoed
the kings cry of "Hold!" and motioned
them back impetucusly as they rushed
on Tyler, shouting, "Back! Hold!
Did you not hear the king forbid it?"
"Ha, meddlesome priest" cried one
of the council, what have you to do
to speak?"
81 but repeat the kings ORDER" re-
piled Ralph, holly. cit is foul deed,
and perilous. This rash man hath
put the kings life in jeopardy
"Have care of your own, meddler!"
cried another in a menacing voice.
eyes, truly" cried third, "this
saucy priest taketh far too much on
himself"
"Look yonder," cried Ralph, "there
they come! Defend the king"
Not more than forty yards off band
of bowmen who had formed Tyler's
bodyguard were seen getting ready
their bows.
The king meantime sat on his horse
with perplexed air, looking ruefully
at Tyler and casting doubtful glances
at his lords. But the boy had the
happy daring of his race. His mind
was quickly made up. Ralph Harde-
lot had convinced him of the loyalty of
the commons. He was not so certain
of the fidelity of his mobiles. With
sudden change of look from indecision
to proud command, he cried. "Lords,
on your allegiance, none of you follow
me! Let me alonei" and he galloped
forward to the insurgents alone. 81
am your king" he called to them as
he rode up. ''Ye need no captain but
me. Depart in peace to your homes
and your letters shall be sent to you."
The action was so unexpected that for
a moment all on the kings side stood
still, looking on in wonder and admira-
ton of the boys courage. Then when
they saw that the rebels offered him no
violence they began to move nearer.
Ralph was moving with the rest
when his arm was rudely grasped, and,
turning, he saw the angry countenance
of the lord mayor, Walworth, and Sir
Richard Rainham behind him.
'What is this hear, scurvy priest?"
cried Walworth. ''Dare you avow that
the punishment of rebel is a foul
deed"
81 dare avow," answered Ralph
quietly, "that the murder of an I'm
guarded man in friendly and peaceable
conference is foul deed in the sight of
God and man.
"Ha! what say youf Have care.
will call you to account for this"
And he touched his dagger in angry
menace.
The irate mayor had ridden his horse
near Ralph's as he spoke. Suddenly
Ralph felt another horse hustle rudely
between them. Turning, he was aware
of the sweep and fash of sword, and
heard the harsh voice of Rainham say,
"Why waste words on such varlet?
He is one of them."
The young priest fell to the ground
without word or a cry.
His murder was not long unavenged.
The horses reared and pranced, and as
Rainham leaned over to see the effect of
his blow, a wild figure seemed to leap
out of the ground at his horses feet
and fearful blow from an axe crushed
into his open hemlet. 1t was Janne-
quin Carter; the tatterdemalio n had
found Justice at last.
The instruction was at end. But
for the kings prompt and daring action
the peasants would undoubtedly have
made an effort to avenge the death of
their leader. But Richards frank gal
lantrv disposed them to trust in his
promises. and while they stood irreso-