The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-21
CHAPTER VII.
Condolences.


Coincidence.
William Armstrong rode his splendid
black steed like one more accustomed to
the pcIishing Of saddle leather than to
the wearing out Of the same material in
the form Of boots. Horse and man were
so subtly suited, each to each, that such
another pair might we'll have given to
some early artist the first idea of a
centaur. Armstrong was evidently famil-
lar with the district he traversed. for he
evinced no surprise when. coming to the
crown of a height, he saw In the valley
below him one-storied stone building,
whose outhouses hnd general surroundings
proclaimed 1t a solitary inn, but the horse,
less self contained, and doubtless mere
fatigued thrust forward Its ears and gave
utterance to faint Whitney Of pleasure
at the near prospect of rest and refresh
ment. The hand Of the rider affectionately
stroked and patted the long black name, as
If In silent corroboration Of the animals
eager anticipation.
i The young man was fair as his mount
was dark. A mass of yellow hair flowed
out from under his Scots bonnet and over
tache gave him a semi military air,
tache gave him semf-mliitary air,
look OF the cavalier. If he were rem
nant Of that stricken band across the Dor
der which was fighting for King Charles
against daily increasing odds, but some
thing of jaunty self-confldence in Arm
strong's manner betokened that the civil
war raging in England was no concern to
him.
Both prowess and geniality were on the
instant of being put to the test as he APP
preached the inn, where a wayfarer Is
usually certain of a welcome If he has but
money in his pouch. A lanceman, 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
~ 10 ra wal xzyoS h0,,f 70 l,oI&
and dismount.
Yell be fur dawnerin' on a bit faurer
forret,' limited the sentinel in cautious,
1nsinuating manner, as If 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
Aim thinkin mans no vera wise
that stops whaur he's least wanted, II
them that's no wantin' him hiz good arm
In thir hauns."
Aye, my lad. steels bonny argument
; rightly used. What's a. tn steer here that
, 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 quest1oner
, He flung his right leg across the horse,
and now sat sideways in the saddle. an
action which caused the sentinel to grip
suddenly the shaft Of his pike with both
hands, but the equestrian, making no fur
Their motion, conyersing in an easy, non
chalant Tone as II he had little personal
interest In the discussion, the vigilance of
the ma non guard partially relaxed, proba-
bly, thinking 1t as well 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 his many a thing to chat
ter ABBOTT, an that's a. All ken OF, ferby
mat Aim ia let name inside Ia disturb
them" - :
Whose man are you?"
All belong to tn Yerl o'TraQuair"
ana a very good friend of mine the
Earl OF Traquair is VIII you just go In
side and tell him William Armstrong is
sitting here on his horse?''
That wull All no, fur II the King him
sell were ia ask. All munna let him by
tn door. Sa jist taak a fule's advice fur
vince, and gang ava, to the next botha
afore it gets darker an yer like to lose
yer road amang tn hills
The descent of young Armstrong was so
instantaneous that the man-at-arms. had
no opportunity Of carrying out his threat,
In his own defense. The 1orseman
dropped on him rs If he had fallen from
the clouds, and the pike rang useless on
the rough cobblestones. The black horse
showed no sign of fright, as might have
been expected, but turned his intelligent
|
accustomed to anw eccentricity on the
part Of his master. And what the fine
eyes Of the quadruped saw was startling
enough. The widespread limbs of the
surprised soldier went whirling thru the
air like the arms Of windmill in a gale
Armstrong had grasped him by the waist
an dturning him end for end, revolving
him, Catherinewheel wise, until the be-
:wildered wits of the victim threatened to
leave him thru the action OF centrifugal
force BY the time the unfortunate
sentinel lost all reckoning Of the direction
In which solid earth lay with regard to
his own swiftly changing position, he
was sprawling on his assailants shoulder,
gaping like newly landed trout and
thus hoisted aloft, he was carried to the
closed door, which a kick from Arm
strong's foot burst crashing inward The
intruder flung his burden into the nearest
corner of the large room, as If he were a
sack of corn, then facing the startled
audience the young man cried:
Strong orders should have a stronger
. guard than you set, gentlemen. hold
to- the right of every Scotsman to enter
a public dram shop when he pleases."
A dozen amazed men had sprung to
their feet, oversetting a chair or stool
, here and there behind them, and here
and there a nagon before them. Eleven
swords flashed out, but the appraised
right hand Of the chairman and his COM
handing voice caused the weapons to
: hang suspended.
! THE very man! BY God. the very
i man we want! In the Fiend's name
! Will. where have you dropped from ~
8 From the back OF my horse a mo-
\ ment since. as your henchman here will
. bear witness. Traquair.''
q Armstrong, your arrival at this juno.
+ ture is providential; that's what It Is
Y providential!'
y TT must be, my Lord, for you Gid
4 your best to prevent 1t. Your stout pike
il man would not even let you know wa.
!. within call. so I just brought him In tc
give the message properly
= Losh, II he knew you as well as do
4 he would have thought twice or he stood
In your way. Come to the table, man
and fill fagon .