The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-02-20
CHAPTER U-CONTINUED.

fool to think of amending the world, /
am fool to think of amending you"
Tired of his own thoughts, Reginald
fell back on the companionship of his
two women, and as they rode down the
steep hill towards Sudbury at an en-
forced slow pace. amused them with
the tale of John of Gaunt's clever abb
duction of the heiress of the Earl of
Hereford.
But when he had finished the story
he was again plunged in thought. John
of Gaunt set him thinking once more of
his own fortunes. Aspiring Lancaster
had himself married, as his second
wife, the eldest daughter of Pedro the
Cruel, had lately assumed the title of
King of CASTLE, in virtue of his wife's
right, and had been engineering for
some time to get an expedition sent to
Spain to enforce his title. If the ex-
petition should come off, it would open
up grand field for adventure. Glory
and gain would be there for those who
had skill and courage to win them.
Was there any chance? The Commons
would never provide the sinews for
such an enterprise in their present
mood, but a success in France might
produce change.
lie was musing on this, considering
how he might obtain post in such an
expedition, and, overlapping all obsta-
cles in his active imagination, was
already building his castle in Spain,
and providing himself with fair help
mate for his greatness, when, suddenly,
his dreams were violently interrupted.
They had descended the Ballingdon
Hills, and were within two hundred
yards of the bridge over the Stour, Sud-
bury, with its three steeples, rising on
the opposite bank, when a startling
cry ahead of them arrested their atten-
ton. A man came galloping over the
bridge on a shaggy pony, gesticulating
wildly, and pointed back over his
shoulder.
"Help! help" he shouted. "They
are numbering my master. Help! for
Heavens sake, help! They are muir
dering my master"
The man had lost his hat, his hood
was flying behind him, his face was
livid, and his features were distorted
with terror. He continued to repeat
his cries mechanically till he drew up
almost under the feet of Reginald's
horse.
81 can hear you well enough, my
good man." said Reginald. "Who,
pray is your master?"
He looked coolly and keenly at the
mans contorted features. They were
of Jewish cast.
The fugitive, meantime, in the midst
of his confusion and terror, had run his
quick eyes over Reginald's clothes, and
marked the signs of the kings livery,
the white and red of the costume, the
white hart embroidered on the red
ground of the short cloak, the same
badge in the red velvet cap. The OBJ
servation seemed to make him more
frightened than before.
"Who, pray, is your master?" asked
Reginald again, after their rapid
mutual scrutiny.
"What does that natter" cried the
ran, with gesture of impatience and
despair. SEQ to his help, or he is
dead man."
"Why don't you help him yourself,
my good friend? You were running
away, it seemed, as fast as your horses
legs would carry you"
what could do against so many?
There are scores of them-swarms.
Fair, kind SIR" he continued, extend
ing his clasped hands, 81 beseech, you
to go to his rescue, or he will infallibly
be murdered. beseech you, kind sir,
of your charity. And you, and you,"
he added, turning to the yeomen.
1T will only be Jew the fewer"
said Reginald, with cool brutality.
1T is not for me to interfere with his
majesty's lieges in their Christian sport
of Jew-baiting."
Anger flashed through the mans alb
lect looks of terror. at is not jew
batting" he said, in sulky tone.
You mistake. We are Christians.
But if you will not help, / must look
for somebody else" And he kicked
his horse violently in the ribs, and
started off at full speed.
Stay, you curl" gasped Reginald,
taken by surprise at this unexpected
move. "Stop him!" he cried to his
yeomen.
The man, making no response to his
call, except by giving another wild kick
at his horse, Reginald and his men
drew their daggers, gave chase, and
soon overlook him. When he saw the
daggers, he pulled up and begged for
mercy.
Il have nothing, good, kind sir.
am but poor servant"
81 hcnit ma ~ A.. IL -. -. IL 4,