The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-07-22

Bruce stopped on the crown OF the
bridge at touch of the rein. culver,
ing with excitement, raised his head
and gave a snort Of defiance at the
blockade ahead of him. Armstrong
glanced back; the bridge had closed ON
him like trap. both ends stopped by
forces impossible for one man to con-
tend against.
THAT cannon shot did it. Well plan
ned" he growled to himself, his horse
now drawn across the bridge, alert for
the word Of command whatever 1t
might be. Below the swollen Eden,
Tipping full from bank to bank, rolled
yellow and surly to the sea. Right and
left at either end of the bridge stood
mass Of steel clad men, impregnable as
the walls of the castle itself. De Cour-
cy sprang off his horse and advanced
with a valor which Armstrong, sitting
there, apparently calm, had not given
him credit for.
He's my man, he cried. "Shoot
him dead If he raises his handv Then
to the Scot: Surrender quietly. You
have no chance. A score of muskets
are turned on you"
IF they shoot some of them will
wing you. Better warn them not to
fire." replied Armstrong mildly, as If
proffering to friend advice which did
not concern himself
do you surrender"
''Come and take me If you are anx-
ious for the thousand pounds. It's
worth the money"
The Frenchman hesitated. edging
cautiously along the parapet, so that
If his friends shot he would be as much
as possible aside from the line of fire.
Seemingly his confidence in their
craftsmanship had not been augment.
ed by Armstrong; warning.
IF you raise your hand to a weap-
on" said De Courcy, they will fire
On you, and 1 cannot stop them. They
will not wait my word"
II know. l shall not raise my hand"
The Frenchman dashed forward and
seized the bride Of Bruce.
Come Qu1etly!' he shouted.
II WILL" said Armstrong. He leaned
forward, said sharply to his horse,
lover, my ladv' and smote him a ris-
ing blow on the shoulder with his open
hand. The horse raised his powerful
front and stood poised for a moment
like a statue, then launched himself
into space. AS De Courcy felt his feet
leave the stones he let 60 the rein and
fell sprawling on the parapet, but
Armstrong leaned over and grasped
him by the loose folds of his doublet.
Come down with me, you traitOrw
he cried. There was a scream Of ter
rOr and the next instant the river
roared in Armstrong; ears. When he
came to the surface he shook his head
like spaniel. swept the water from
his eyes and looked alOft at the great
bridge The parapet was lined with
troopers, all stricken mOtiOnless as II
they had been transformed to stone. De
| COurcy, one moment af1Oat, shrieked
| for help, then sank again. Armstrong
knew that the paralysis on the bridge
would not last long. and he turned his
horse toward the bank of raw clay.
"No one in command up there ap-
parently," he muttered. 1--WE must
make the most of it, old man."
The painting horse, breathing labort-
! ously. essayed the bank and slipped
back. Armstrong let loose his sodden
cloak and flung it on the flood turning
the horse that he might take the ascent
at an angle. The crowd still stared at
him as if it were a show they had
come out to see. Bruce, his feet once
more on firm ground, shook his name
and gave forth wild whinny Of de-
light Now the voice Of command
came in q blast Of anger from the
bridge:
After him, you fools! What are
you staring at?''
"Too late, my lads, think" ventured
William as he leaped his horse across
the ditch that divided the fields from
the road. Once the followers came near
him, and he turned in his saddle,
threatening them with his pistols, ana
they, forgetting that his powder was.
water soaked, fell back.