Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-12-31

exile. All this flashed through my rs,ind
ss Whitesocls SKINNED like a swallow
down the narrow ride and flew out into
the open park.
A shrill halloo rang in my ears as
| cleared the trees / looked over my
shoulder and saw three horsemen
whom ! had outrun and outridden spur
ring across the grass to cut me off.
They had been beating along the edge
of the wood and chance had brought
us to point closer than I expected OF
wished for.
sat tight down and guided White
sock with my knees. She obeyed aa
.aonther horse with the rein, and
turned her toward q corner of the park
where was a gate, the gate which
Roger had used to bring her to the
keepers cottage. 1t might be unlocked,
and if so L was safe
This change of direction threw my
pursuers out, and Whitesocls swiftly left
them behind. Five minutes brought us
to the gate sought. 1t was locked and
all along the park bounds stood the un-
broken row of stout oaken pales, ten
feet high. i had no time to attempt the
forcing or breaking of the lock, for my
enemies We're too close upon me. I
/ could only turn Whitesock and send
her sweeping along, skirting the tall
fence, and heading for the main gates,
as had been shaping a course a first.
Our delay at the side gate had lost
much of our lead, but Whitesock be-
gan picking it up again at once.
Hitherto it had been great delight
to me that Butley Croft had escaped
the rough usases common to Cavalier
houses, but now a little despoiling
would have served my turn to a Won
der, and l had been out in the open
country and far away instead of gall
n rr n limo 1tfa1a ind hon,
My pursuers were Sir John and two
mounted men attending him, too strong
q party for man armed only with a
quarter-staff to turn upon. Away DART
ed the gallant mare. keeping her tre-
mendous pace as easily as if she We're
ambling on smooth road, flying by
copse and dingle, starting the dappled
deer, who fled before her with
smooth, gliding flight, no swifter and
lighter than her own.
The water which filled my clothes
streamed down her sides, strealSing the
bright satin of her coat with dark
stains and dripping steadily on the
grass. So riding, 1 came near to the
avenue and saw single horseman
Fastening to set himself in my way.
1T was Jack Postgate. and he seemed
to be returning from the main gates.
could only avoid him by deliberately
turning TO right or left, and | was not
inclined to clio so. His pistols had been
recharged, for he drew one and pointed
it full upon me.
But, as often happens when a man
has two pistols in reserve, he was SO
anxious to get the use OF both that he
wasted the first shot by firing too
soon. He tossed the weapon into the
grass and drew another, but the pro-
GiSious speed at which Whitesock was
bearing down upon him was no help
to his nerves, and / felt no fear.
stopped down TO her name as / saw his
finger crook on the trigger, and the
ball whistled over me. His drawn
sword was in his left hand and he
changed it to the right, but / cared
nothing for his sword.
l tucked the quarter-staff under my
arm, laid it in rest as a man would q
lance and rode upon kim like cham
pion in an old romance Of chivalry. L
had not saddle to help me and had to
trust to my seat and Il handful of
Whitesocll's name for purchase.
AS we net be attempted by the man
asement of the spur and rein to turn
his nag aside, and miss my clumsy
spear, aiming for slashing cut as I
passed, but the beast was not quick
enough and the quarter-staff took him
in the shoulder. and trundled him clean
over the tail of his horse. l laughed
and rode on leaving Jack all of heap
on the grass.
(ContiEued Next week.)