Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-05-21

mute eye now and again sought mine,
l could not find 1t in my heart to CEN
sure him. Having distanced my poorly
mounted pursuers l stopped to water
my horse at the spring before riding
the few hundred yards to the gates Of
Cartillon. While yet waiting by the
spring l was Mortified to see men
struggling on top OF the great tower.
Their fight was brief and decisive.
Two of them, one being Maurice my
most trusted man at arms, were
thrown violently to the courtyard be-
low. OF the others some were killed,
some o~verpowered and carried below
again.
All OF this took only an instant, for
1t appeared but the end Of a desperate
encounter which had been raging else
where. The time, however, was long
enough for me- TO see that those OF the
larger party wore the white sash and
cross which distinguished my assail-
ants in Rouen.
God in heaven, what murders work
in my misery. Then one who could an
swer came running toward me from
the castle, gashed, with snapped sword
in hand.
"Oh, master, master, the Catholics,
the Catholics was all he could speak
out before he fell a senseless mass at
my horses feet.
Cartillon was not now a refuge.
Immediately the distant sound of
hoOf beats came loud and louder yet,
from the direction Of Rouen. Ortez
was coming.
Quick, CASTOR, we must fly"
My overtaXed horse failed me now
Pulling the rein he only sank slowly
to his knees, and after a few spas
modic witches, stiffened out forever
upon the rocky road. l stood erect a
moment, child in arms, irresolute.
There vas short shrift to think. My
blood rebelled at flight.
Here, CASTOR, take the boy; hide In
the wood. Carry him to the Abbot of
VauX, and conjure the good priest, by
Il fathers love and ours, to save my
baby"
Castor had hardly passed from sight
among the trees before a dozen we'll
armed horsemen, bearing the same
white cross in their caps, spurred
roGnd a curve in the forest road, COM
ing suddenly upon me beside my fallen
steed. Sword in hand, l fronted them,
determined, come what would. to fly no
further. The evil face of Ortez shone
with qualification at so Unexpectedly
hiding me alone.
Now, yield thee, sirrah," he cried,
as his men surrounded me. A quick
thrust through the body OF his horse,
brought him to the ground.
Not yet, thou slayer Of women; here
upon equal footing, thy life shall pay
for those Of wife and child"
/ verify believed the Almighty ven
geance was in my blade, and doubt not
| should have slain him despite his
troopers, but for a crushing pike blow
over the head, SO swiftly did 1t all come
about.
My brain reeled; the sword dropped
changing from my nerveless hand.
When I recovered, / found myself
bound upon a horse behind one Of the
men.
ION with him, men, to Cartillon:
there we rest this night in the kings
name"
In this wise we rode along; Ortez
openly exultant, l silent and scornful.
AHA, my fine brother" he spoke low
at my saddle. thy fathers son has
thee in his power now. And shall l not
revenge thee the wrong our father did
my mother for thine? Didst know the
story"
I made no reply, but he went on I'M
mindful.
"To my mother he gave
his love, but dared not give
his name; to thy mother he gave his
name but could lever give his love.
So thou art the proud lord Of Cartillon,
the nameless ~adventurer, slayer of
WOmen-what thou wilt. But things
are changed now. Before many hours
l will be the Count d'Artin, and thou
a dishonored corpse, sweet brother"
Thou. Thou my brother?"
l turned upon him a look Of incredu-
lous contempt, yet, for 1 had heard
some such tale Of my fathers youth, /
asked:
Thy mother was"
"NanOn Esculas, whom thy father
abducted in Spain to desert in France"
My heart sank; | had seen the won
an, and knew her son for one of the
most courageous and unprinCipled ad-
VentuTers who hung about the court
and held their swords for hire. When
the noisy troop rode up to the gates of
Cartillon their leader paused, a head
appeared upon the battlements.
"Guise," cried Ortez, giving the
watchword of hat day of slaughter.
The drawbTidge lowered, and open
swung h gates.
Welcome to CartillOn, d'Artin," Or
tez bowed. Here at last we find rest
anu iNSlliiANilNs lCb a iGaSl bG
spread in the great hall, ransack the
place for good cheer. We've done brave
work this glorious day, my lads, and a
merry ending Wen have before the
night is gone
Everywhere in the courtyard were
evidences Of bloody conflict. Singly, in
groups, in hideOus, CTimson-splashed
piles lay Catholics and Huguenots to-
gether, peaceful enough in death.
by my faith, and a gallant set of
gentlemen we have here" laughed Or
tez. What think you, brother mine?' -
And as he spoke he leaned from his
saddle to strike down a half dying
wretch who lifted his head from among
the slain.
Perez" he called to his sergeant rid
ing behind him, dispose OF these bod
les. Throw the hereto dogs into the
old well yonder. Give our martyred
friends Christian burial"
He sat on his horse idly toying with
his dagger, and forced me to watch my
servants, the wounded and the dead,
being cast into the yawning darkness
of the well.
Gods blood! here is u sweet
young Philip. What, not yet dead.
Why, it matters not, cast him in This
in answer to a questioning look from
the more merCiful Perez.
The men at arms had cxtricated from
heap Of slain the limp body of my
youngest brother, q boy Of 20, his pallid
gaping open from a cut across the
cheek. He lifted his eyes languidly to
mine.
"Oh, brother, you are come. Some
water, water he murmured.
Throw him in, men," Ortez inter
Perez yet hesitated.
Shall we not first dispatch him,
mo. / would not harm my gentle
brother; throw him in. Be not slow
about 1t, either. thou chicken-hearted
DULLES; pitch him IN"
The men started to obey this savage
Hound of hell" I screamed, tor
beyond endurance, and strug-
Cling at my bonds.
Ortez slapped me in the face with
his gauntlet. then having his hand unop