The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-04-17

Earl of Oxford. "In the middle of the
Hundred Years War;" as it is called,
there was hardly parish in England
that did not contain some such men OF
and they were naturally
chosen as local heads in the great
organizations of the commons, which
was now being formed throughout the
country.
81 have seen stronger castles taken
and stouter knights foiled,' he answer
ed, slowly, "but the assault was strong,
and skilful also. Our men are willing
enough, but they have neither force nor
skill to tackle high walls and iron gates
with armed nen behind Them
"Then you think it hopeless?"
"No, do not. We will do what we
can, and it will show us what we can
do. Besides, we may get help"
"From what quarter" asked Law
renee, whose spirits had been rather
lowered by the experienced soldier s
reception of the enterprise.
'There is band of men here from
the priory of hartford after this same
Richard Rainham. It seems he has
stolen novice from the priory, and
they arrived here this morning in pur-
suit. They rested here when they
found he was several hours ahead of
them, and 1 know not whether they
have stomach to 60 farther. But | will
take you to them. 1 know something
of their leader. knew him in France.
If they turn back, it will not be his
fault"
The leader of the party of rescue was
a man whom circumstances forced into
leading position in the troubles that
ensued, but at that time, some nine
months before the great rising, he was
little known outside the valley of the
Darent, and the little towns on the
Thames where he practiced the trade of
a tiler.
He was engaged with his men on
one of the roofs of the Npriory when
Clara Roos was carried off.
He had saved her fathers life in the
battle of Narvarella, and sometime
afterward had received valuable service
III iOtuihs viz dtSlCSSOI db OlllS tlIuO UC-
in Sir Richard Rainham. Thus it hap
pened that when he saw the daughter of
his comrade and friend carried off by a
man he had no cause to remember with
good will, he had a double motive for
action, and was not man to easily de-
sist once he had taken thing in hand
With the eight or ten men on guard at
the priory, he had started in pursuit of
Rainham and his party, but had
learned on reaching the smithy that
Rainham had undoubtedly reached his
castle, and they had stopped to rest
and debate what further steps they
should take.
When Simon d'Ypres' lieutenant
Lawrence arrived at Yeldham, they
were still resting themselves and their
horses, undecided in their plans, but
disposed to regard any further attempt
as hopeless.
Wat the Tiler had urged them in the
morning to ride up with him to Stur-
mere and reconnoitre on the chance of
getting some surprise advantage; but
the excitement of the chase had died
out, they pleaded the fatigue of their
horses. and left him to make the expe-
dition by himself.
He had seen Rainham and his men
ride out, and had come back inwardly
fretting over an opportunity missed.
But he was silent, selfcontained man
he did not abuse the party for their
supineness. but put them to shame
with the simple aphorism, uttered with
Stole resignation, "In war it is better
always to be on the move: you never
know when chance may come"
He had returned to Yeldhan only a
few minutes in advance of Lawrence,
and when that emissary was introduced,
he was seated at the table of the hostel
ry among the priory retainers, drum
ming abstractedly with his fingers.
He had just told what he had seen,
winding up with the above aphorism,
and they looked rather crestfallen.
more news about Sir Richard" said
the smith, introducing Lawrence, who
at once proceeded to explain the pur-
pose of his coming, and to beg them to
lend their aid in an attack on Stur-
mere, if he and the smith could raise
the neighboring villages.
"You must be green in war;" said
Tiler, "to dream of taking castle like
Sturmere with a rush of half-armed and
unframed countrymen.
"Just what told him." cried Bar
naby, the smith.
But" stammered Lawrence, "we
have some trained men within call,
like Barnaby here, and we counted on
your assistance. There are not above
a dozen men in Sturmere.
- d0zan uonnan ;, Tilo- ann.na.oI