Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-11-23
CHAPTER ri.

It was Scarcely daylight when ne Iaceu
the clear and ripping Esk, and after
crossing the stream to "fell English
ground" he halted his horse on the
southern shore and cast long look at
the hills of his native country as one
who might be taking farewell of them.
Then with sigh he turned to his task
and sent no further glance behind.
Arriving at forking of the road,
both branches tending south, he paused
and pondered. Which should he take!
He knew them equally well. The main
road led to Carlisle and in time OF
peace would have been preferable. The
other, less direct, would probably car
nv him farther in these uncertain
times. The country showed no sign OF
the devastation Of civil war unless 1t
was the absence Of population and a
deserted condition Of the thorough
fares. That he could avoid contact
with the parliamentary forces was i'm
possible whichever road he took, and
the question now demanding solution
was not SO much his direction as
whether 1t were. well to bring on his
Inevitable encounter with the Crom-
wellites sooner or later.
The Carlisle route promised the
speedier run into the arms of the enc
my, but by the other route he would
have more chance Of bargaining about
cattle and thereby giving color of
truth to his statement that lie was an
innocent Scots drover, anxious to turn
IN honest penny. When questioned by
an officer he could then say he had en-
deavored to deal with So-and-so, and
Inter Investigation would prove the
fact. But to an observer he bore the
attitude of stranger who had lost
his way. This was evidently the con-
clusion arrived Mt by an object hid
den in the hedge which had proved
MS nights lodging. The object sprang
out across the ditch with suddenness
that made the horse start and snort in
alarm, to be soothed by the gentle pat
of its riders hand, for the imperturb-
able Armstrong seemed surprised at
nothing that took place. The object
had the wild, unkelnpt appearance of
one who habitually slept out Of doors.
His long and matted hair, emaciated
face and ragged beard, no less than
his tattered clothing, or covering rath-
er, made up of odds and ends of vari-
GUS costumes, formed combination
by no means attractive. He held in his
hand, grasped by the middle, long
stick, somewhat taller than himself.
"My gay gentleman" he cried cheer
fully, will you pay the price of FOOLS
adviceY"
"YOu haven't given me any"
"The advice all depends on what you
pay for it. Let me see the coin, then
I'll show you my wares. We differ in
this, that I'll take whatever you give
me, but you can take my advice or not
as you please"
The horseman threw him a coin
which the object clutched in midail
with great experiences and examined
eagerly.
THANK you, gay gentleman. The ad
vice is to turn your fine horse end fol
end and get back among the fools O
your own kidney. We are always safe
among our own klnQ.
"Are there any cattle for sale here
about? l see none in the fields"
81 sometimes sell cattle myself" sai
the object, with q cunning look.
"It does not seem very prosperou
business, then. Where do you get yor
stock?"
"Oh, pick it up on the roads. You
fipd no cattle on the way to Carlisl
The country is Sweep bare in that
rectisn. But can lead you to a.. fiji
herd if you make it worth my while
I'm which direction?"
"Down this way. Come along. Al
you after any particular breed?'
.'No. Anything there's money in"
you're just like me-" said the v
grant, with a laugh, as he strobe G
down the unfrequented road. The o
ject walked with incredible spec
laughing to himself now and then, al
Armstrong was forced to trot his horl
to keep up with him. On arriving
a slight eminence the guide waved Ii
long arm toward steading In the VI
leys, which looked like a deserte
group Of farm buildings, and said:
"Theres fine lot Of cattle dow
yonder."
Il can SEQ no signs OF them"
''No, no! They're well stabbed. Not
ing lasts in the fields nowaday
They're not such fools rs that. Th
herdsman knows when to keep b
beasts in shelter" And with this Il
vagabond raised shrill shout tn;
echoed from the opposite hills.
"What are you crying like that for.
asked Armstrong, without showing IN
alarm.
"Oh, just to let the farmer kno'
we're coming. Always give frlen'l
warming In these parts, and then yo
may not got something In your insid
that's hard to digest. That's fool
advice and costs you nothing"
''Your cry meets with no response
said Armstrong, laughing at the sha
low cunning Of his treacherous guild
forhis keen eyes noted crouching figure
making way along the other side Of
hedge, and he knew that If he wei
down the lane, at whose junction wit
the road the beggar stood with r
pressed eagerness, he would find hin
self surrounded. Nevertheless he fo
lowed without bctraying any know
edge Of the trap he was entering.
AS they neared the farmhouse
voice cried sharply "Halt!' and a
armed man sprans up from behind IL
hedge, cutting Off retreat, If such la
been attempted. While the othel
made through the hedge to the lun
the tattered man as nlmbly put IL
hedge between himself and his vi
tim, as If fearing Il reprisal, laughin
boisterously, but rather nervously.
Brave captain, I've brought you
fine horse and Il gay gentleman, an
the two are for sale"
Tho man who had cried Halt
stepped forth from the shelter Of til
nearest outbuilding, drawn swor
in his hand, followed by two other
with primed matchlocks, stolidly read
for any emergency. Four others close
I'm the pnr coming down the Ian,