Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-05-13

The Battle OF Stamford Heath and
Happy Adventure.

was new from her days journey. Billy
engaged that by sunrise we should be
en- sight OF the Kings troops.
BY daybreak we stood on n ridge
above a hollow vale into which the
sun did not yet pierce. but passing over
40 high conical hill beyond. srnote
I level on line after lone OF white tents
I the prettiest sight, Twas the enemy
f there encamped on the top and some
way down the sides the smoke OF their
/ trampled watch fires sim curling
among the gorsebushes.
Looking down into the valley nt our
/ feet. at first I saw no sign OF our own
troops-only the roofs OF little town.
+ with overmuch smoke. spread above f..
! like morning mist. But here I heard
the church bells clashing and a drum
beating. and then n regiment OF foot
moving westward along the base OF
the hill. II was evident the battle
was az hand. and we quickened our
pace down into the street.
IL lay on the slope. and midway down
we passed some watch fires burned out
/ and then 4 soldier or two Running and
fastening their straps: and last n little
child. who seemed wild with the Joy
of living amid great events and bid MS
proceed straight 10 TIE sign OF The
Tree
II stood some way back from the
street. with a great elm before the
porch. where. by stable. sat two
men with tankards beside them and a
small company Of grooms and soldiers
standing around. Both men were more
than ordinary tan and soldier like
only the bigger wore a scarlet cloak
very richly laced and was shouting or
ders 10 his men. while the other.
dressed in plain bun suit and jack
boots. had . map spread before him.
which he studied very attentively.
writing therein with a quill pen.
What a plague have We hereT cries
the big man as we drew up.
Recruits. II IL please you. sir" said
I. dismountins and pulling of my hat.
though his insolent tone offended me.
slid, The boy speaks as IL he were
n regiment growls he haif aloud
~Canst hghtF'
THAT. with your leave. sir. is what
am come 10 try
He turned OF Billy.
And this rascalf-
Billy heard not word. OF course.
/ yet answered readily:
why. since your honor Is so pleas
antly minded. let IL be cider"
Now the first effect OF this. delivered
with all force Of lung. was 10 make the
big man sit bolt upright and staring:
/ recovering speech. however. ne broke
/ into a volley Of blasphemous curses.
All this while the man in bun had
scarce lifted his eyes OF the map.
But now ne looks up-and l saw at the
first glance that the two men hated
each other
II think" said he quietly. my Lord
Mohun has forgot 20 ask the gentle
mans name"
My name is Marvel. sir-John Mar
vel" answered him with a bow.
Hey and dropping his pen he
starts up and grasps my hand-"Theu
It's you 1 have never thanked for His
Gracious Majesty's letter"
1.-THE General HOptOng'' cried I.
"Even so. sir. My lord" he went on
still holding my hand and turning 70
his companion. "let me present to you
the gentleman that in January sav'd
your house OF BoccOnnoc from burning
at the hands OF the rebels-whom God
confound this day. He lifted his hat
Amen" said /. as his lordshiy
bowed. exceedingly sulkily. But / did
not value his rage. being hot with joy
TO be so beprais'd by the first captain
(as yet hold on the royal side. WI,
now. not without a sly triumph. fiuns
the price OF Bnly's cider on the table
aud. folding up his map. ADDRESSED m,
again:
Master Marvel. the fight to-day will
lie but little with the horse-or so
hope. You will 90 well. IL you wish Z,
serve us best. 10 leave your mare be
hind. The troop which my Lord Mo
hun and l command together is below
But Sir BeviIl Grenvilie. who has seeI
and is interested In you. has the frs
claim: and / would not deny You thu
delight TO fight your first battle unde
so good a master. His men are. witt
Sir John Berkeley's troop. n little to IN,
westward; and il you are ready vii
go some distance with you. and pu
you in the way 30 ind him. My lord
. may we look for you presently"
!. The Lord M0hun nodded. surl,
enough; so, Billy's cider being nov
| drunk and Molly given over 30 al
ostier. we set out down the hill to
gether. Billy shoulderIng a pike an,
} walking after with the groom that le'
) I Sir Ralph's horse. BE sure the Gen