Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-12-26

exile. All this flashed through my mind
as Whitesock SKINNED like a swallow
down the narrow ride and flew out into
the open park.
A shrill halloo rang in my ears as L
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 a point closer than / expected or
wished for.
sock with my knees. She obeyed as
aonther horse with the rein, n 1
turned her toward a 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,
n IL so / was safe.
This change of direction threw my
pursuers out, and Whitesock swiftlyleft
them behind. Five minutes brought us
to the gate 1 sought. 1t was locked and
all along the park bounds stood the up-
broken row of stout oaken pales. ten
feet high. 1 had no time to attempt the
forcing or breaking of the lock, for my
enemies were too close upon me. l
could only turn Whitesock and send
her sweeping along, skirting the tall
fence, and heading for the main gates,
90 IL AA1a DNSAA ~ - $1,000
Our delay at the side gate had lost
much of our lead, but Whitesock be-
gan picking il up again at once.
Hitherto it mad been a great delight
to me that Butley Croft had escaped
the rough usages common to Cavalier
houses. but now a little ~despoiling
would have served my turn to a
der, and 1 had been out in the open
country and far away instead Of gal
Looping along behind prison bars.
My p%ursuers were Sir John and two
mounted men attending him. too strong
a party for a man armed only with a
quarter-staff to turn upon. Away dart
ed the gallant mare. keeping her ire
mendous pace as easily as if she were
ambling o. 1 smooth road, flying by
copsc NJ lgle, starting the dappled
deer, fed before her with a
smooth, .uding flight, no swifter and
lighter han her OWL
The water which filed my clothes
streamed down her =:des, ~streaking the
bright satin of her coat with dark
stains and dripping steadily on the
grass. SO riding, l came near to he
avenue and saw n single horseman
Fastening to set himself in my way.
1t was Jack Postgate, and he seemed
to be returning from the main gates.
l could only avoid him by deliberately
turning to right or left. and / was not
inclined to do 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 eapon into the
grass and drew another, but the pro-
digious speed at which Whitesock was
bearing down upon him was no help
to his nerves, and / felt no fear. L
stopped down to her name as l saw his
finger crook on the trigger, and the
ball whistled over me. His drawn
.wcrd was in his left hand and he
I Hanged it TO the right, but l cared
nothing fer his sword.
/ tucked ne quarter-staff under my
arm, laid il in rest as a man would u
lance, and rode upon him like a cham
pion in an old romanc of chiValry. !
had not saddle to help me and had to
trust to my seat n a handful of
Whitesock's name for a purchase.
AS we met he attempted by the man
| agement of the spur and rein to turn
his nag aside, and miss my clumsy
spear, aiming for a slashing cut as /
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 q heap
on the grass.
Continued Next Weekly