The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-22
CHAPTER TX.

The next morning early William Arm
strong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out
for the border with the good wishes of his
host His naturally gay demeanor was
subdued, and he muttered to himself with
wrinkled brow as he rode along. This un-
wonted abstraction was not on account Of
the danger which he knew lay ahead Of
him, but because he was committing to
memory the message of the king
Arriving at a forking Of the road, both
branches tending south, he paused and
pondered. Which should he take? He
knew them equally we'll. The main road
led to Carlisle, and In time of peace would
nave been preferable; the other, less di-
rect would probably carry him further
IN these uncertain times. That he could
avoid contact with the Parliamentary
forces was impossible, whichever road he
LOOK, and the question which now de-
manded solution was not so much his di-
rection as whether it were well to bring
on his inevitable encounter with the
IromWell1tes sooner or later.
But to an observer he bore the atti-
tude OF stranger who had lost his way.
lnls was evidently the conclusion arrived
at by an object hidden in the hedge.
Whlcn mad proved his nights lodging.
The object sprang out across the ditch
with suddenness that made the horse
start and snort in alarm, to be soothed
by the gentle pat of it's riders hand, for
the 1mperturbable Armstrong seemed sur
prised at nothing which took place. The
object had the wild, unkempt appearance
OF one who habitually slept out of doors.
HIS long and matted hair, emaciated face
and ragged beard, no less than his tat
tered clothing, or covering rather, made
up OF odds and ends of various costumes
formed a combination by no means at
tractive. He held in his hand, grasped
by the middle, long stick, somewhat
taller thon himself. (Which road are YOU
going to take, my gay gentleman" he
cried.
Il was just swithern'"
An, you're from Scotland They tell
| me they grow a fine crop of fools there.
The road on the right leads to Carlisle
| and the fools name in that direction is
| the king. The safest way is the one YOU
came, and the FOOLS name there is like
| to be Cromwell, so they tell me. Am 7
to get the FOOLS price for advice?"
The horseman threw him coin, which
! the object clutched in mid air with great
EXPERIENCES and examined eagerly.
Thank you, gay gentleman. The ad-
vice Is to turn your fine horse end for
end, and get back among the fools of your
| kidney. We are always safer among our
our kind
Are there any cattle for sale here
about? see none in the fields
| "Everything's for sale in England
crown, cattle opinions, swords; o, it's a.
great market for cutlery. But the price
Is uncertain and various"
| well, it's cattle, not cutlery 1 want to
buy"
Il sometimes sell cattle myself said
the object with a cunning look
| TT does not seem a very prosperous
business then? Where do you get your
stock?'
20. pick it up on the roads. You'll
find no cattle on the way to Carlisle The
country is swept bare in that direction.
But can lead you to a fine herd if you
make 1t worth my while
'1n which direction?''
Down this way. Come along. Are
you after any particular breed?"
mo. Anything there's money in
you're just like me- said the vagrant
with a laugh as he strobe off down the
unfrequented road. The object walked
with Incredible speed, laughing to himself
now and then, and Armstrong was forced
| to trot his horse to keep up with him. On
| arriving at a slight eminence the guide
waved his long arm toward standing In
the valley, which looked like a deserted
group of farm buildings, and said:
There's a fine lot of cattle down yon-
der
II can see no signs of them"
+, mo, no. They're well stabbed. Moth
ing lasts in the fields nowadays. They're
not such fools as that. This herdsman
knows when to keep his beasts in shelter"
And with this the vagabond raised shrill
shout that echoed from the opposite hills.
What are you crying like that for?"
/ asked Armstrong, without showing any
alarm.
: "oh, just to let the farmers know we're