Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-14

swear the same thing.
I'VE swear not at all"
Then l surmise you are no kings men.
But, I'm any case, until one or other Of Won
have declared war against Scotland. or
until Scotland has declared war against
either of you, or beth, you NEEDLE with a
free citizen Of Scotland at your peril
1T is perhaps wisest to indulge in no
threats"
Il am not INDUCING in any. | am stating
a plain, unControvertiblc fact. that would
be held 10y none so stoutly as by General
Cromwell himself"
Then keep your dissertations on law nm
til you sec the general, which is likely to
happen before We are douc with YOU"
Nothing wCu'd give me greater pleasure
than TO have a discourse with that dis
tnguishcd man. lie is u fighter after my
W heart, and | understand he is equally
powerful in controversy"
Search him"
To this order Armstrong not only made
no objection. but assisted In its fulnument.
He took off his doubict and threw il TO one
OF the men who approached him. then held
his arms outstretched that another might.
with greater case, conduct his examination.
"A third paid minute attention to the sad
dlebaEs, and n fourth took the saddle
''S'A WI III nurse. Inc search brought tn
light some papers that conveyed excellent
information regarding steers and cows. but
nothing about politics.
The officer had IL lied the interval in
writing a brief dispatch. which he now
handed to a young horseman. Ride hard
and give that TO General Cromwell as soon
as you can. In case you should lose e.
tell him we have got our man. who crossed
the border this morning. Say we arc
bringing him To CUrhi. on Manor, as di-
rected, and expect to reach there before
dusk"
me youth, without reply or slluta.
pocketed the paper, shook out the ieins
and was off like the wind. Arnstr,nr
watching the pair with a glow of admirl-
ton in his eyes. Although unusuej to t5a
Iie OF a camp, he was much struck nv tha
absence OF any attempt at secrecy in tho
proceedings. There was no eff lrt to ba-
wider the prisoner or make a mystery OF
'"e aHalr' That his advent had been cx-
pected was perfectly clear ani that a
written description of his person had been
distributed along the border wa, equally
evident They had been watching 70. him
and now they had him. There was no
military fuss about the matter and an
parently very little discipline, vet instant
ana unquestioned obedience. without ac-
coihpahlinent OF formal Difference to au-
Ihorlty or the genutleXions of salute tn
superlors. But underneath II all WINS n
hint or power and efficiency. Armstrong
realized that he was in the clutch Of an
admirably constructed human machine thar
knew what it wanted and went straight
Tor 1t. No one had spoken except the
captain, yet every man was on the alert
to do what was required of him instantly.
capably and in silence.
At a word from the captain a bugIe call
rang out and its effect was soon apn,rent
An accoutred horse was led to the captain
VINO sprang into his place with the ease of
one accustomed to the feat, and from the
buildings appeared something like a soora
or mounted troopers.
Get into your saddle" commanded IN.
captain, addressing Armstrong. The latter
tested the buckling, which a soldier had
just finished, drew up the strap n noint
men, with his foot in the stirrup, turned
and asked:
Am l to consider myself a prisoner. sir ?p
Whatever questions you wish TO mt
viii be answered presently by one higher in
authority than l."
i must protest against this detention
SIR"
Your protest will doubtless be considered
by the officer | referred to-"
General Cromwell, / surmise %
"or one delegated by him. Mount We
have far to 60"
Armstrong leaped into the saddle and In.
troop set or, with the captain at the head
and himself in the midst Of IL. There was
no chance of escape, even If he meditated
such an attempt, which apparently he did
not. Ihe direction tended south and east.
and as the sun was setting tbev a-o a.
Corbiton Manor, a large country house.
which was seemingly the h~eadouarters 90
a considerable section of the army an
camped In the neighborhood. In TO a room
OF this mansion Armstrong was conducted
and left under guard, and he was pleased
TO see by the spread table that there was
at least no design on the part Of his
captors to starve him.
CTO be COntinuedl