Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-13
CHAPTER VII.
Coincidence.


the form of boots Horse and man were
so subtly suited, each to each, that such an
other pair might we'll have given to some
early artist the first idea of a centaur
Armstrong was evidently familiar with the
district he traversed. for he evinced no sur
prise when. coming to the crown OF
height, he saw in the valley below him a
one-storied stone building, whose outhouses
and general surroundings proclaimed IL
solitary inn, but the horse. less seI-con-
tanned and doubtless more fat1sued, thrust
forward it's ears and gave utterance to a
faint whinny of pleasure at the near pros.
pect of rest and refreshment. The hand OF
the rider affectionately stroked and patted
the long black name, as If in silent corrop1
Grafton of the animals eager anticipation
The young man was fair as his mount
was dark A mass Of yellow hair flowed
out from under his Scots bonnet and over
his broad shoulders. A heavy blond mus
tache gave him a semi-military air, look
of the cavalier, as if he were a remnant
of that stricken band across the border
which was fighting for King Charles
against daily increasing odds, but some
thing of jaunty self-confidence in Arm
strong's manner betokened that the civil
war raging in England was no concern TO
him.
Both prowess and geniality We're on the
instant OF being put to the test as he APP
preached the inn, where a wayfarer is usu-
ally certain of welcome if he has but
money in his pouch. A lanceman. his tall
weapon held upright, stepped our into the
road from the front of the closed door be-
fore which he had been standing, when he
saw that the traveller was about to halt
and dismount.
Yen be fur dawnerin on bit faurer
forret." limited the sentinel in a cautious
insinuating manner, as if he were but CIV
ing expression to the others unspoken in
tention.
"A wise man halts at the first public
hOtiGa he n a ha q down -
replied Armstrong.
"Ah'm thinkin' a mans no vera wise
that stops whaur he's least wanted, If them
that's no wantin' him hiz good arm in their
hauns."
aye my lad. steel's bonny argument
rightly used. What's a tn steer here that
a tired man. willing to pay his way. is sent
down tn road?'''
Armstrong adopted for the moment a
brogue as broad as that OF his questioner.
He flung his right leg across the horse, and
now sat sideways in his saddle, an action
which caused the sentinel to grip suddenly
the shaft of his pike with both hands, but
the equestrian making no further motion,
ccnversing in an easy, nonchalant tone, as
II he had little personal interest in the dis
cussiOn, the vigilance of the man on guard
partially relaxed, probably thinking it as
we'll not to provoke so excellently equipped
an opponent by any unnecessary show of
hostility.
"Weel. we see. there's muckle folk in ben
yonner that hlz many a thing to chatter
ABBOTT. an that's a All ken OF, ferby that
Ah'm ia let name inside ia disturb them
Whose man are your"
"Ah belong ia tn Yerl O. TraQuair."
and a very good friend of mine the Earl
of Traquair is. VIII you Just go inside and
tell him William Armstrong is sitting here
on his horse?''
THAT wull All no. fur If tn king himself
were ia ask. All munna let him by tn
door. Sa list taak a fules advice fur vince,
and gang ava ia the next botha afore 1t
gets darker an yer like to lose yer road
amang tn hills"
The descent of young Armstrong was 50
instantaneous that the man-at-arms had no
opportunity of carrying out his threat, or
even of leveling the unwieldy weapon In
his own defence. The horseman dropped on
him as If he had fallen from the clouds. and
the pike rang useless on the rough cobble-
stones. The black horse showed no sign OF
fright. as might have been expected, but
turned his intelligent head and calmly
watched the fray If accustomed to any
eccentricity on the part of his master. Ard
what the fine eyes of the quddru0ed saw
was startling enough. The widespread
limbs of the surprised soldier went wniriing
through the air like the arms of windmill
in gale Armstrong had grasped him by
the waist and turned him end for end, re-
volving him, Catherine-wheel wise, until
the bewildered wits OF the victim thi cat
ened to leave him through the action OF
centrifugal force. BY the time the unfortu-
nate sentinel lost all reckoning OF the di-
gard to his own swiftly changing position,
ne was sprawling on his assailartS shoul-
der, gaping like a newly landed trout, and
thus hosted aioft. he was carried to the
closed door. which kick from Armstrong;
foot burst crashing inward. Ths intruder
flung his burden into the nearest corner of
the large room. as If he were sack of
corn. then facing the startled audience the
young man cried:
Strong orders should have a stronger
guard than you set. gentlemen l hold TO
the right of every Scotsman to enter pub
lie dram shop when he pleases.'
A dozen amazed men had sprung to their
feet. overseeing a chair or a stool here and
there behind them. and here and there a
fagon before them. Eleven swords flashed
out but the appraised right hand OF the
chairman and his commanding voice caused
the weapons to hang suspended.
The very man! BY God. the very man
we want! In the Fiend's name. VIII, where
have you dropped from?"
From the back Of my horse a moment
since. as your henchman here will bear
witness. Traquair.
Armstrong. your arrival at this juncture
Is providential; that's what it is, providen-
tiaIl'
1T must be. my lord for you did your
best to prevent IL. Your stout pikeman
would not even let you know l was within
call. so l just brought him in 20 give the
message properly"
'.Losh If he knew you as we'll as do he
would have thought twice he stood in
your way come TO the table, man. and
fill fiagon."
The young man drank long and well. The
sentinel had by this time got on his feet
and was staring at the company like one
dazed
Where's your pike?' demanded Ira
QUAR-.
ION the stones ootside. ma Lord"
Very well. go out and lift II, and see
that you keep a better grip of 1t when the
next man comes along. Attend to Arm
strong's horse. and keep an eye up and
down the road"
'I'n look after my own beast, Traquair"
mo need for that, VIII. We have mat
tiers of importance to discuss, and Angus
here will feed the horse as well as you
can do It,"
'Tll eat and drink whatevers set before
me. and never ask who is the cook but l
trust no man to wait on my horse. You
bide by your sentry march, Angus, and III
see to the beast"
With this Armstrong strobe out of the
house. the Hl-used sentinel following him.
AS the door closed the interrupted hum OF
conversation rose again. Who the inter-
loper might be was the burden of the in
Quiry.
Armstrong; the very man for our pur-
pose. said Traquair. IF any one can get
through Old Nolls armies by craft or by
force. II is Will l had no idea he was near
by or l would never have wasted thought
on any other. i have known him for years