Evening star., 1903-08-01


with her aid Of course; that is always
understood. You attacked Lichfeld cathe
dral and captured 1t, and there is much
disapproval among the peasantry that
Cromwell had formerly dismantled it, for
they think that If this had not been done
the holy belongings of the place would have
baffled you. The cathedral now reeks of
sulphur, and you escaped in a whirl Of
flame, amidst a storm Of bullets.
They know that nothing will prevail
against you but a silver pellet. and even
that must be well aimed. SO am not sure
but l have been mistaken in Disgusting
you, for If any cavalier shows himself in
the north the Inhabitants are like to take
him for Satan and fly from him.
"Then they good Christians. for they
are told to resist the devil and he will fly
from them. You think, then, that my fiend-
ish character will protect me?"
Not so, but you have nothing to fear be-
tween here and Carlisle. 1 thought you
said De Courcy had been killed."
He went down. and supposed him shot,
but was in too much of a hurry to inquire"
He and others rode to the north last
night. and they are now between US and
Carlisle
is the case. why do you say the road to
Carlisle is clear?'
Because from Carlisle to Newcastle.
right across England the Gordon is to be
stretched. and from Carlisle west to the
coast. Before we reach there a line
of men almost within touching distance of
each other, will extend from to sea, and
all traffic north will be stopped. thou
sand pounds Is on your head and Crom-
well thinks to stop you, not with silver,
but with gold. The general himself is on
his way north, to see that you are trapped.
or to be ready for any outbreak of the
Scots, should you win through
II fear l have been unable to convince
Oliver that 1 am the devil, since he takes
such excellent human means of frustrating
me. A thousand pounds! And yet you
hall hat at n slight
Il have confessed my error since The
camp l visited is breaking up today and
moving on to Carlisle. Twentythree thou
sand men I was told, but being mostly
foot. there Is no chance OF their overtaking
us"
well. the north looks black with more
than rain. though goodness knows there is
enough of that. / wish were in Glasgow"
What do you propose to do?"
You are the planmaker of this foray.
What do you propose to do. or have you
thought Of that YETI
II have not only thought of it, but have
| received instructions on it. I have heard
the officers discuss what should be done.
but want to hear your conclusions first"
VERY well. The line runs from the west
coast to Newcastle. At Newcastle l am
| more than forty miles from Scotland at the
nearest point, while at Carlisle l am less
than ten. Every step east go am placing
myself more and more at diSadva ntage,
yet might go east simply because of this.
| and because they know that 1 know that
| they know l am on the road to Carlisle.
| Having fallen into one ambush, they will
| imagine me on the constant outlook for an
other Going free for so long, they might
| even count on my increasing carelessness.
| but shrewd men you'd not lippen to that.
knowing l am single handed and can make
no stand, they will expect me to creep
| through at night. either east west of
Carlisle. and as near as may be to that
place trusting to the short distance and
the fieetness of my horse in race for the
Scottish border. ! am a hillsman, accus-
| toned to threading my way through wild
| country, with a keen eye for an enemy.
have avoided all the big towns-Brming-
| ham Manchester and the lke-so they will
| not expect me to risk either Newcastle or
Carlisle Night will be the time when they
are greatly on the alert, especially If this
| storm continues. Very we'll again. Who am
1 if questioned? I am a trooper of Crom-
wells own horse, sent north from War
wick. having seen this escaped devil of
Scot. and therefore the more likely to iden-
tify him. l have become detached from my
| company in the storm. l will ride into
Carlisle In broad daylight, and ask where
were ordered to Carlisle, 1 shall say I
shall not avoid the commander, but will
seek for him. Then If can saunter over
the bridge. it Is Hoorah ora, for Scotland and
Good" cried the girl, land well rea-
soned. They all agreed that Carlisle was
the weakest link in the chain"
hesitate. II those in Carlisle think 1t the
weakest link they will strengthen It,"
1.-THE officers plan was not so bold as
yours OF course. they did not know you
were travelling in the likeness of one Of
themselves They thought you would aban-
don your horse before you came to Car
lisle creep into that town after dark, avoid
| the bridge which is sure to be we'll guard
ed swim the Eden and be across the Scot
| tish border by daylight. There are two
defects in your own proposal: your accent is
not that of Warwickshire. and De Courcy
70 he t,,( 40 rIic Gle iro