Gilpin observer., 1904-07-28

to cut away the blood-stiffened hose,
Darkness closed around Randalin'
| again, darkness shot with zigzag light
nings of pain, and throbbing with pitt
full means.
She came to herself to find that
soldiers were lifting her up to the
horseman, where he sat again in his
saddle. She recognized the square
ness Of his shoulders; and she knew
the gentleness of his touch as he
slipped his free arm around her and
drew her carefully into place, making
of his stalwart body support for her
weakness. No strength was in her to
struggle against him; only her wide
bright eyes sought his, with the terror
of a shared bird.
Meeting the look and understanding
a small part of it's question, he said in
a reassuring word in his pleasant low
pitched voice: BE of good cheer,
youngling; there is no thought Of eat
ing you. l will bring you to a cup of
wine before moonrise, il you hold
fast"
1t is doubtful If the girl so much as
heard him. Her eyes were passing
from feature to feature Of his face, as
the stars revealed it above her-from
the broad, comely brow to the square
young chin, from the clean-cut fine
tempered mouth to the clear, true
eyes. One by one she noted them,
and shade by shade her strained look
of fear relaxed. With eyes still turn
ed up toward his face, her lids droop-
ed and fell; and her head sank upon
his breast and lay there, in the peace
Of perfect faith.
Tap-tap-tap-tap, like water drip
ping slowly. Drop by drop the sound
filtered through the thick wrappings
of Randalins slumber, till she knew
it for the beat of horses hoofs, and
stirred and opened her eyes.
The silver simmer Of starlight fall
ing through purple deeps had given
way to the ruddy glare of a camp
fire, and she was lying just beyond
it's heat, cloak-wrapped, on bed of
leaves. Above her, interlacing beech
boughs made an arching roof. under
which the shadows clustered as swal-
lows caves. w llulu luc Sylvan
alcove, some four-score battle-stained
warriors were taking their ease after
a hard day. Through the fog Of her
drowsiness Randalin recognized them
slowly. Yonder was the Englishman
who had found her in the bushes.
Beyond him, across the frs, the SOL
diers who had lifted her up to tho
horseman. Here, just in front OF
her, was tie leader himself. Her
gaze settled upon him dreamily.
He had finished his meal, if meal
it could be called, and was making
some attempt at toilet. His captive's
eyes were not the only ones upon him.
and he was laughing a little at the
comments his performance drew forth
| from three old cnihts lounging near
| him.
| "These are soft days, comrades. Tho
last time followed the old chief, OF
| honored memory, we held our war
council standing knee-deep in fen.
We had neither eaten nor drank for
two days, and three days blood was
| on our hands"
The young chief took 1t with care
| less good humor.
When you leave off eating, in MEM
| ory of that brave time, will leave on
Washing" he returned. Il tell you.
nothing but warriors life becomes
ethel-born men, nor sluggishness nor
junketings, but day under fire and
nights among the Wise Men OF
council. By Saint Mary, l feel that
1 have never lived before! One week
at the heels of Edmund Ironside Is
worth a lifetime under the banner OF
any other king"
A pause met his warmth somewhat
coudly; and the warrior who broke the
silence lowered his voice to do it.
| Ito be continued.)