Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-12-10

"You will have a pass for yourselT
the moment you are north of Manehesf
ter which cannot be more than fifty
miles away. We must get over those
miles as speedily as possible. There
fore the main road is our route
eyes. if 1t were practicable. Surely
danger lies thick along the main road.
81 do not think SO. While in the
cathedral / heard troop after troop OF
men going northward. They will carry
the news of your capture, but not OF
your escape. Until they beat In the
door Of the cathedral and search the
place thoroughly no messenger will be
sent north We are ahead OF them
once more, with the news Of your cap
ture travelling in front of us. We Will
keep ahead SO long as we ride fast and
until we stop somewhere for the night
Then they, having relays OF horses,
while we have only our own, will pass
us. We cannot ride all night or we
shall kill our horses. But we can COW
er good deal of the ground between
here and Manchester. Once north, OF
Manchester think you are fairly safe.
So propose we ride now for the main
road and keep going as long as our
horses are able to travel"
agreed! But, following your own
instructions, what are we to say when
we are stopped? We have no pass, SO
how am l to account for myself?"
"You are a Roundhead soldier, sent
on to Manchester by the colonel at
Lichfeld."
81 look like a Roundhead soldier!'
cried William. with laugh.
"You will. 1t is always well to have
some one in travelling party who can
think Have you not noticed the load
you carry behind your saddlew
Armstrong turned. The rising moon
displayed steel cap that looked like
an overturned pot and bundle Of
cloth, all neatly strapped on.
'The cathedral is a storehouse for
uniforms and accouterments enough to-
fit out regiment. I selected the lar
gest suit could find, with cloak and
cap, and belted them to your saddle
Now l shall hold your horse while you
to into the thicket and change your raj
ment. Conceal your cavalier costume
as well as you can, so that if they trace
us over this fog sodden turf, which is
likely, they will get no hint of your
new appearance. It might be well to
climb tree and tie your discarded
shell among the leaves with the straps
that bind the bundle to your horse, and
be careful to leave neither the kings
message nor your purse with your fin
cry"
It was a happy omen for future do
nestle peace that the huge man did at
once and without question what the
fragile young woman
babe him, she holding his horse while
be made the rapid change. When he
emerged the horse plunged, and she
had some ado to hold him until he
beard his masters voice and laugh.
They speedily came upon the maini
road and cantered on through the beau
tiful night, determined to put fifty
niles or thereabout between them
selves and Lichield, but before they
lad accomplished half that distance
Armstrong saw that the girl was COM
)letely exhausted in spite Of her dis
,laimers, for aside from the tiresome
lays travel she had had little sleep the
hight before. It was most tempting to
,ush on, for the night was perfect and
he road was good. Even though they
passed through several villages they
we're not questioned. Soldiers in drab.
loaks and steel caps were too common
N the road to cause comment, and
hey were as yet in advance Of any
Jews of escape.
At last they came to a farmhouse
ear the roadside, and Armstrong beat
p the inmates, bringing woman's-
cad to an opened window. At first
he would admit no one at that hour Of
be night but the moon shining on the
teel cap and the long cloak apparently
ave her confidence. Her husband was
/ the south with Cromwell, she said.
he could make a place in the house
or the lady, but the soldier would find
etter accommodation than he was ac
ustomed to in an clubhouse.
With this Armstrong expressed him
elf as amply satisfied. They dismount-
j, and he led away the horses. He
ound a place for them in a shed, ex
mined them and rubbed them down
18th care. Having satisfied himself
lat they were none the worse for
,eir long journey, he attended to their
ANTS and flung down some bundles
straw for his own nights lodging.
lie began to think he must go supper
IS or run the risk Of foraging in an
nknown pantry, if he could find en-
ance, when he saw Frances approach
ON the house with a loaf of bread
nd lump of cheese on trencher and
measure of ale.