Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-04-29


deny"
1t might be wisely argue that while
this speech was Icing MAJ any gen
tleman might have either run the high
wayman through or put an ouncc If
lead into his heart, but the fact of The
matter WIS each gentleman found him
self face 10 face with another gel le-
man who held blunderbuss up to
within three inches Of his rose.
My lady's first thought had been TIT
Sir Robins men had nc waited for
the Sunday night to come, but preseI :
ly she recognized the truth, and, stung
by the fact that Sir Percy had pnt
himself between her and danger, She
was the only one of the whole company
who stirred In her saddle other than
TO do the bidding of Tom Kidde.
While the rest were busily engaged
in emptying their treasures she, max
ing feint to do the same, says very low
and tauntingly to Sir Percy:
Had but one to show fight with me
I'd ne'er give in to these scoundrels."
"As soon done as said. Sir Robin"
whispers Percy. mo man can say
I'm his lesser in couragew " it'll which
he wrests his bride from the black
guard whose hands upon it. whips out
his sword with one hand, PICKS out his
pistol with the other, grips his reins In
his teeth and strikes with steel and
shot, both at once.
Pegs his match, initiating him with
such will as sets every gentleman
Of 'em a-shooting, a-lunging and a-curs-
ing with all the arms and breath he's
got, and sets the robbers for a second
to their wits, for they are not used to
any sort Of encounter save one that's
terror stricken and submissive in the
opponent.
IT'S bit Of melee quite in the dark.
slashing and pounding betwixt the
branches, now a man endorsed, anon
up again: shots resounding, powder
flashing, until In about ten minutes or
less the chief makes a plunge for Sir
Percy. crying out:
$50 twas you :aid fight was't7
Have a care! No man can defy Tom
kidde and live to tell itr'
"Nayw shouts her ladyship, with
spurs all inches into the gray's sides,
making him rear as she puts herself
between Percy and the highwayman-
"'Twas l said 'fightv"
Whiz! And ball intended for Sir
Percy strikes the gray dead under her.
Whiz! and her ball strikes Tom
Kidde from his mount.
In less time than it takes to tell 1t,
Peg was straight in the highwayman's
saddle. He was picked up by two of his
men, bleeding. set before one Of 'em and
of. Ny lords and gentlemen find them.
selves once more alone in the midst of
Epstowe forest, a-crawling about on
their hands and knees a-gathering up
their spilled guineas and trinkets by
fash Of finder box.
Sir Percy. trying to explain to them
who had been the means Of their ~
covering their valuables and Of putting
the desperadoes to flight, cries out:
II tell you, we owe't all to Sir Robin
here! 'Slife, gentlemen. I'd not have
vcntured to think Of resistance had II
not been for him. Twas he said, close
In my ear. Flight" and. by CAD. sirs
he's lost more'n any Of us-the horse
shot under himw
1.-THE gray's well lost teaching Tom
Kidde he can't terrify all the men in
England" answers the Beau from his
sprawling search after his diamond
snuffbox.
"Ho, Sir Robin! Sir Robin! Sill
Robin!' Sir Wyatt shouts 1t out, and
the rest Of the company take 1t up with
a long, mellow cadence that echoes for
q mile.
ANSWER, man, for, by the faith, II
we can't pledge you here In anything
but lap of May dew out Of a prim-
rose leaf, we'll drink you such bump.
err an we reach the White Horse al
never was filled before! London III
toast you at every dinner table in May
fair. Odzooks, sir. were you the fash
ion yesterday, what will you be tomor-
row" This from Escombe.
where IS Sir Robin?" asks Percy.
HE was beside me not five seconds
since, but now, by my finder, nor yet
by the coming dawn, can l descry
him." shading his eyes with his hand
and peering about, for of a truth tits
close to o'clock, and, Notwithstanding
the heavy clouds. the east begins to
thrill with the touch Of day.
robin! Sir Robin! Ho. now! Think
not to play trick on us and presently
spring from a greenwood tree" says
Wootton.
'Sir Robin" exclaims Percy loudly,
Il pray you answer and leave not your
friends to imagine evil"
Tut, tut, evil" puffs the Beau, ris-
ing from his knees. Evil III never hap
pen to him. POUNDS, but my legs ache!
He's laughing in his sleeve now hard
by. Robins not one to court notice or
praise-as modest a youth as 1 ever
beheld."
Worthy Of Lady Peggy Burgoyne
even, l supposer' says Mr.. Chalmers
mschievously as he adjusts his recov-
cred fob. Il could embrace him for the
rendering Of me back my watch, but I
think him a fool to eschew good COM
pany and make home alone to town."
Jack" says Percy low, II like not
his quitting of us. Twas too sudden.
believe I'll go a-hunting him." pull
ing hia rQin nc tho co " n loo da onca roo~,