The San Francisco call., 1905-01-01
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now and again by fishermen, AT length,
just as the sun began TO sink, they
approached the shore Of Death Creek
sheet of ,tidal water which ran a
mile or more inland, growing ever mar
rover. but was here some 300 yards
in breadth. They were we'll mounted,
all three Of them. Indeed, Resamund's
horse. a great gray, her fathers gift to
her, was famous in that countryside
for its swiftness and power. also be-
cause it was so docile that child could
s ride it; while those of the brethren
4 were heavy built but well trained war
steeds, taught to stand when they were
left. and to charge when they were
urged. without fear Of shouting men or
flashing steel.
Now the ground lay thus. Some sew
enty yards from the shore of the creek
Snd parallel to it a tongue of land,
covered with scrub and few oaks, ran
down into the Saltings, its point end
Ing on their path, beyond which were
a swamp and broad river Between
this tongue and the shore of the creek
the track wended it's way to the up
lands. 1t was an ancient track: indeed
the reason of it's existence was that
here the Romans or some other long
dead hands had built narrow mole
or quay OF rough stone, forty or fifty
yards in length, out into the water of
the creek, doubtless to serve as a con-
venience for fisher boats, which could
lie alongside of IL even at low tide This
mole had been much destroyed by cen-
turtles of washing, so that the end OF 1t
lay below water, although the land
ward part was still almost sound and
level
Coming over the little rise at the tip
Of The wooded tongue, the quick eyes
OF Wulf, who rode first-for here the
path along the border OF the swamp
was so narrow that they must go In
single fle-caught sight of large
empty boat moored to an iron ring set
in the wall of the mole.
Your fishermen have landed, Rosa
mund," he said, "and doubtless gone up
to Bradwell."
THAT Is strange" she added, anx-
iously, "since here no fishermen ever
come" And she checked her horse as
though, to turn.
Whether they come or not, certainly
they have gone," said Goodwin, craning
forward to look about him; $50. as we
have nothing to fear from an empty
boat, let us push on"
On they rode accordingly until they
came to the root of the stone quay or
pier. when a sound behind them caused
them to look back. Then they saw a
sight that sent the blood to their hearts,
for there behind them, leaping down
one by one on that narrow footway,
were men armed with naked swords,
six or eight of them, all of whom, they
noted, had strips of linen pierced with
eyelet holes tied beneath their helms
or leather caps. so as to conceal their
faces. So
"A snare! a spare!". dried Wulf,
drawing his sword. Swift follow me
up the Bradwell path, and he struck
the spurs into his, horse: 1t bounded
ri n ho dra nAvf
with all the weight of his powerful arm
almost to its launches. Goods rner-
cyl" he cried, There are more of
themn' And more there were, for an
ether band of men armsdS and linen
hooded like the first. had isaped down
to that Bradweil. path. a1ropg them e.
stout man, who seemed toll pc unarnled,
except for long crooked knife at his
girdle and coat of ringed smail.i which
showed through the opening of his loose
tunic.
ITO the boat shouted Goodwin,
whereat the stout man laughed--a
light, penetrating laugh, which even
then all three Of them heard and noted.
Along the quay they rode, since there
was nowhere else that they could go,
with both paths. barred, and swamp
and water on one side of them, and
steep wooded bank upon the other.
When they reached 1t, they found why
the man had laughed, for the boat was
made fast with a strong chain that
could not be cut; more, her sail and
oars were gone.
Get into it," Knocked a voice; "or, at
least. let the lady get in; 1t will save
US the trouble of carrying her there"
Now Rosamund turned very pale.
while the face of Wulf went red and
white. and he gripped his sword-hilt.
But Goodwin calm as ever, rode for
ward a few PAGES, and said quietly:
''Of your courtesy. say what you
need of us. If 1t be money, we have
none-nothing but our arms and horses,
which think may cost you dear"
Now the man with the crooked knife
advanced a little, accompanied by an
other man. tall, supple looking knave.
into whose ear he whispered
My master says" answered the tall
man, that you have with you that
which is of more value than all the
kings gold--a very fair lady, Of whom
some one has urgent need. Give her up
now, and go your way with your arms
and horses. for you are gallant men,
whose blood we do not wish to she'd
At this 1t was the turn OF the breth-
ren to laugh, which both Of them did
together -g
"Give her up" answered Goodwin.
"and go our ways dishonored? Ave,
with our breath. but not before. who
has then such urgent need Of the Lady
Again aTa there was Whispering between 4
the pair. - s
My master says" was the answer.
che thinks that all who see iser will
have need for her. since such loveli1
ness is rare. But If you wish d name.
well, one comes into his mind, the
name of the Knight Lozelle!'
The Knight Lozelle." mutmured
Rosamund, turning even paler than
before, as well she might. Fer this
Lozelle, was a powerful man and
Essex-born. He owned ships of Whose
doings upon the seas and in the East
. evil tales were told. and once had
sought Rosamund's hand In marriage
but being rejected, uttered threats for
which Goodwin. as the elder OF the
twins, had fought and wounded him,
Then he vanished-none knew where
us Sir Hugh Lozelle here then? ?"
asked Goodwin. masked like you COM
mon towards? If so. desire to meet
him, to finish the work began In the
snow last Christmas twelvemonths."
Find that out IL you can" an
: swcred the tall man. But Wusf said
! speaking low between his clenched
teeth.
) Brother. see but one chance. We
: must place Rosamund between Us and
? charge them"
) The captain of the band seemed TO
: read their thoughts, for again lie
) whispered into the ear of his COM
: panion, Who again called out:
) my master says that If you try fo
charge you will be fools, since we