Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-14
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tRkIS9A SADDLE leather than to the wearing
49, out of the same material in tho
form of boots. Horse and man were %
subtly suited, each to each, that such an
other pair might well have given to some
early artist the first idea Of a centaur.
Armstrong was evidently familiar with the
district he traversed, for he eylnced no
surprise when, coming to the crown OF a
height. he saw in the valley below him a
one-storied stone building, whose outhouses
and general surroundings proclaimed it a
solitary inn, but the horse. less self-con-
tained, and doubtless more fatiEued, thrust
forward its ears and gave uttCrance to a
faint whinny Of pleasure at the near pros
pect OF rest and refreshments. The hand Of
the rider affectionately stroked and patted
the long, black name, as If in silent cor
Toboration OF the animals eager anticipl-
ton
Tho 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. 4 heavy blond mas
tache gave him a s~emi-military air. a look
OF the cavalier. as II ne were d remnant OF
that stricken band across the border which
was fighting for King Charles against daily
Increasing odds, but something Of jaunty
s~elf-conhcence in Armstrong; manner be-
tokcned that the civil war raging in Eng
land was no concern 10 him.
Both prOwCss and geniality were on the
Instant Of being put 20 the test as he ap-
preached the inn. where a Nayfarer is
usually certain OF a welcome IL he has but
money in his pouch. 4 Iarceman. his tall
weapon held upright. stepped out 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 4 bit faurer
%forret," limited the sentinel IN a cautious,
insinuating manner, as IL he were but Civ
ing expression to the others unspoken in
tention.
"A wise man halts at the first public
house he comes to, after the sun is down."
replied Armstrong.
"Ah'm thinkin' a mans no vera wise
that stops whaur he's least wanted, II
them that's no wantin' him hiz good arm
In their hauns."
AYE. my lad. steel's n bonny argument.
rightly used. What's a tn steer here that
a tired man. willing to pay his way, is sent
doom 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 ac-
N"h "h'Nh NauSt ne SeItlnel 10 GRID sud-
denly the shaft OF his pike with both hands,
but the equestrian making no further mo-
ton, conversing in an easy, nonchaIant
tone, as II he had little personal interest in
the discussion, the vigilance OF the man on
guard partially relaxed, probably thinking
IL as well not to provoke so excelIcntIy
equipped an opponent by any Unnecessary
show OF hostility.
"Weel, ye see, there's muckIe folk in ben
yonner that hiz many a thing 10 chatter
aboot, an that's a All ken OF, forby that
ANN Ia let name inside Ia disturb them"
Whose man are your"
"Ah belong to tn erl o. Traquair"
And a very good friend OF mine tha
earl OF Traquair is. VIII you lust go in
side and tell him William Armstrong IN
sitting here on his horse?"
THAT wull All no., for II tn king himsar
were to ask, All munna let him by tn door
sa jist taak a fule's advice fur vince. and
gang ava Ia tn next botha afore II gets
darker an yer like to lose yer road amane
tn hills"
Tho descent of young Armstrong was M
instantaneous that the man-at-arms had
no opportunity OF carrying out his threat
or even OF leveling the unwieldy weanon
IN his own defense. The horseman dronnad
on him as II he had fallen from the clouds.
Aho the pike rang useless on the rough
cobb.estones. The black horse showed no
sign OF fright, as might have been expected.
Out turned his intelligent head and calmly
watched the fray as II accustomed to any
eccentricity on the part OF his master. Ana
h the fine eyes OF the unbalanced sv
was startling enough. The widesnread
hmos OF the surprised soldier went whIr,ing
through the air like the arms of a windmill
m a gale, Armstrong had grasped hin bv
me waist and turned him end for end. re-
volving him. Catherine-wheeI wise untl
The bewildered wits OF the victim threat
sned to leaVe him through the action OF
centrifugal force. By the time the unfor-
tunate sentinel lost all reckoning of the
direction In which solid earth lay with re-
gard to his own swiftly changing position.
no was sprawling on his assailant's shouI-
Ger, gaping like a newly landed front ana
thus hOlsiad alnff he MN nnr.I.a "