The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-03
CHAPTER XII.
Joan Does Me Her Last Service.


We came, a little before midnight, to
Sir Bevill's famous great house of
Stow. neal Kilkhampton; that tonight
was brightly lit and full Of captains
and troopers feasting, as well they
needed to, after the great victory. And
here, though 10th to do so, I left Della
to the care of Lady Grace Granville,
Sir Bevill's fond, beautiful wife, and
Of all g~entlewomen l have ever seen
the pink and paragon, as we'll for her
loyal heart as the graces Of her mind,
before the half Of our tale was out
kissed Della on both cheeks, and led
her away.
ITO you, too, sir, I would counsel
bed" said she, latter you have eaten
and drunk, and especially given God
thanks for this days work"
Sir Beyill I did not see, but, striding
down into the hall, picked my way
among the drinking and drunken; the
servants hurrying with dishes Of roast
and baked and great tankards Of beer;
the swords and pixies flung down under
luC lOt1uS ouu SSlllSo, IL cAiSAlhS NoS
to trip a man up; and at length found
q groom who led me to a loft over
one of the barns, and here above a
mattress of hay I slept the first time
for many months between fresh linen
that smelled of lavender, and in think
ing how pleasant it was dropped sound
asleep.
Sure there is no better, sweeter
couch than this of linen spread over
hay. Early in the morning I woke with
wits clear as water and not an ache
or ounce of WEAKNESS in my bones, and
after washing at the pump below went
in search of breakfast and Sir Bevill.
The one I found, ready and laid, in
the hall; the other seated in his writ
ing room, studying in a map, and with
apology for my haste handed him Mas
ter Tingcomb's confession and told my
story.
"As a Magistrate I can give this
warrant, and 'twould be a pleasure,
for we'll, as a boy, do I remember Dea-
kin Killigrew. Young sir"-he rose
up and taking a turn across the room
came and laid a hand on my shoulder
81 have seen his daughter. Is it too
late to warn you against loving herr"
"Why, yes" 1 answered, blushinS;
IL think it is"
"She seems both sweet and quaint.
God forbid I should say 4 word against
one that has so taken me! But in these
times a man should stand alone; to
make a friend is to run the chance of
q soft heart, to marry a wife makes
the chance sure"-
For many reasons I would blithely
issue this warrant. But how am I to
spare men to carry it out? At any
moment we may be assailed?"
"If that be your concern, Sir" an
swered I, give me the warrant. I
have a good friend here, a seafaring
man, whose vessel lies at this moment
in Iooe Haven, with a crew on board
that will lay Master Tingcomb by the
heels in q trice. Within three days
we'll have him clapped in Launceston
Jail, and there at the next Assize you
shall sit on the Grand Jury and hear
his case, by which time, I hope, the
Kings law shall run on easier wheels
In Cornwall. The prisoners we have
already I leave you to deal withal;
only, against my will, I must claim
some mercy for that rogue Settle"
Twas not ten minutes before I had
the warrant in my pocket. And by
II o'clock (word having been carried
to Della, and our plans laid before
Billy Pottery, who on the spot en-
gagged himself to help us), our horses
were brought round to the gate, and
my mistress appeared, all ready for the
Journey.
So, with Billy traEping behind rs,
away we rode Up the combe, where
Kilkhampton tower stood against the
sky; and turning to wave hands ct
the top, found i host and hostess
still by the gate, watching is, with
hands raised to shield their eyes from
the SUM-.
At Launceton, Billy Pottery took
leave of us; and now went due south,
toward Looe, with a light purse and
a lighter heart, undertaking that his
ship should lie off Gleys, with her
crew ready for action, within eight
%and-forty hours. Della and I rode
faster now toward the southwest; and
I was r%ecounting my fight along this
very road, when I heard q sound that
brought my heart into my mouth.
Twas the blast Of q bugle, and came
from behind the hill in front Of us.
And at the same moment I understood.
1t must be Sir George C%hudleigh's
cavalry returning, on news Of their
comrades defeat, and we were riding
straight toward them, as into a trap.
Quick" 1 cried; follow me, and
ride for dear life"
And striking spur into Molly I turned
snarp off the road and galloped across
the moor to the left, with Della close
after me.
We had gone about two hundred
yards only when l heard a shout, and,
glancing over my right shoulder, saw
a green banner waving on the crest
of the road, and gathered about it the
vanguard Of the troops-some score Of
Dragons; and these, having caught
sight of US, were pausing i moment to
watch.
The shout presently was followed by
another; to which 1 made no answer
but held on my way, with the nose Of
Delia's horse now level with my stir
rup; for l guessed that my dress had
already hntraEad rs And this was the