The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-17

But now those at the back Of the crowd
were forcing the others forwards, and
Baldy saw that in spite Of the sword his
old and his new friend would be present
" engulfed. He turned to one Of the
upright posts of the scaffold and gave it
a tremendous shuddering kick; then
reaching I'D to the cross bar and exerting
his Samson-like strength, he wrenched It,,
with crash of tearing wood, down from
it's position, and, armed with this for
midable weapon, he sprang into the mob,
scattering it right and left with his hang
mans beam.
"A riot ana a rescue' roared the
sheriff Mount, Trooper Mackenzie, and
ride ds if the devil were after you to STIR
ling; to Stirling, man, and bring pack
with you a troop of the kings horse!
eve must stop that man getting to
Stirling said Badly, "or he'll have the
kings men on you. I'll clear way 1oe
you through the people. and then You
two must take leg bail for 1t to the lor-
es."
"stand where you are" said the beg
gar. THE kings horse is what l want
to see"
'Dods, you'll see them soon enough
Look at that gallop''
"Believe me- said Badly, earnestly to
mis- two friends. you'd better make your
legs save your throttle. This is a hanging
affair for you as well rs for me, for you've
interfered with the due course OF the
law"
"It's not the first time I've done 50.
said the heggar with great composure,
and shortly after they heard the thunder
of horses hoof coming from the north
THANK God!'' said the sheriff when he
heard the welcome sound. The mob dis
solved and left free passage for the gal
Looping cavalcade. The stout Badly Hutch
inson and his two comrades stood alone
TO the onset.
The king took few steps forward, rails
ed his sword aloft and shouted:
Halt, Sir Donald!'
Sir Donald Sinclair obeyed the com
mand so suddenly that his horses front
feet tore lp the turf as he raiEcl back,
while his sharp order to the troop behind
him brought the company to an almost
instantaneous stand
"Sir Donald" said the king. II am for
Stirling with my two friends here. See
that we are not followed. and ask this
hilarious company to dispense quietly to
their homes Do it kindly Sir Donald
There is no particular hurry, and they
have all the afternoon before them. Bring
your troop back to Stirling in an hour or
two
"Will Your Majesty not take my
horse?'' asked Sir Donald Sinclair.
INC. Donald, replied the king with 4
III
fish horsemen have always looked well
in the saddle: yourself are an example OF
that. and l have no wish to make this
costume fashionable as riding suit
The sheriff who stood by with dropped
jaw, now flung himself on his knees and
craved pardon for laying hands on the
Lords anointed.
THE least said of that the better re-
marked the king, dryly. but if you are
sorry, sheriff, that the people should be
disappointed at not seeing man hanged,
think you would make very good
substitute for my big friend Badly here.
The sheriff TREMENDOUSLY asserted that
the pcpulace were but too pleased at this
exhibition of the royal clemency.
IF that is the ease then replied His
Majesty 1--WE shall not need to trouble
you. And so. farewell to you"
The king, Badly and the cobbler took
the road toward Stirling, and Sir Donald
spread out his troop to intercept traffic
in that direction. Advancing toward the
bewildered crowd, Sir Donald spoke to
them.
''You will go quietly to your homes, he
said. you have not seen the hanging,
but you have witnessed today what none
in Scotland ever saw before, the king
intervene personally to save a doomed
man; therefore, be satisfied, and 60
home"
Some one in the mob cried:
''Hurrah for the poor mans king!
Cheer, lads. cheer!"
A great uproar was lifted to the skies;
afar off the three pedestrians heard 1t,
and Badly, the man of many friends, TAX
ing the clamor as a public compliment to
himself. waved his bonnet at the distant
ynciferous multitude