The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-01


NV of horses sounded in the paved court
yard below. The window Of his
which he had drawn and fastened
heavy wooden. shutters the night before let
In thread of light which showed him new day had
come activity in yard made him fear
he had lain longer abed than was his custom He
was the more convinced of this in that he remem-
time before and then later another being led out;
up him. His window overlooked the stable yard
recognized humble the hostler who had
tress most auring to him. when suddenly he was
startled wide awake by a voice he knew
"Then I turn to the left for Broughton?"
Eyes, SIR. muttered the hostler.
Armstrong leaped from his bed, placed his at
the chnk in the shutters and down
yard. The voice had msled him. De Courcy sitting
horse just gathering the reins and depart
ing The Scot lost no time in pulling on his boots push
aside the unbong the door and making his
down the stair What did this gay pumaged bird of ill
place was beside the king? Was there treachery afoot
It looked like it. Once outside he saw it was still early
hoster.
"Who that you directing to Brough-
toni"
g IT don't know sir"
when did arrive?",
"Last night sir, after dark"
did he stop in this house?"
sYes. sir I thought he friend of yours, for
he knew your putting UP his He
asked if here, and Itod him in the
! the yard
''what Broughten; hamlet?"
ut is castle, sir: Says castle, about three
miles General Cromwell is there it is
. headquarters in this district"
The young stood still eyes gazing into
cancy What traffic had this kings chamberlain
Cromwell?" How dared he within the parliament
Like inapration the wboe situation flashed upon
: him. De Courcy knew the burden he carried and had
seen where it was placed He was on his way to sell
his the troops the track of the
senger. must be off and outrde the traitor
Before De courcy had gone his three miles he would
have traversed dozen, and from then it would be
race the Scottish border.
SIS my horse fed?"
sect him I viii the others.
steps toward inn, then stopped
if shot. his hand cutching his breast.
a sinnert"
Now the disturbance in the night stood out clear in
his memory, but he wasted not thought over it. In
upon the astonished hostler he swept
"Never mind saddle, fellow Spring behind
me and the road to Broughton. Up, say, the
dozen like U.S. Here's two gold pieces
guidance and still tongue in your head is
: what I want"
flung hesitatng hostler upon the animals back and
(Which way which way which way?"
the street, sir" gasped the terrified
man, casping the rider round the waist "Now to the
right sir and the left That's it, sir. Up the
hill All there's man, jogging ahead, leisurely
enough if it's him you seek"
Fright. Slip off; can't stop God be with you.'
The hostler rolled a heap along the ditch, stag
gered feet. feeling his limbs for broken bones
thinking gold pieces hardly earned in such
them satisfying himself that the damage was not great
to Banbury.
De courcy. riding easily said
wholly unsuspicous of pursuit, any it,
disappeared into hollow, when Black Bruce, like
thunder cloud, over the crest and charged down
upon him irresistible of troop drag
cons hearing too late, the rumble Of
partly turned his horse across the road the
worst movement could have made, for Black Bruce
a neigh breast maddened with the de-
light battle and whirled opposing horse and rider
like cartWheel flung along the road from
the smith. De Courcy lay partly stunned at
side while his frightened steed staggered to its
feet leaped the hedge with of fear, and
furthest extremity. Armstrong
swung himself to the ground with queting word to
Bruce who stood still painting watching every move
of his master. pistol in each hand, Armstrong
his victim
sYou halter dog, traitor and sculion, give the
kings commission"
"Sir have killed me" moaned De Courcy, family
"You bribed thief, the rope is your You'll, take
seattle thru honorable warfare DisgorEe"