Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-01-11
yves; a small door in the northeast

"Yes; small door in the northeast
corner. Come"
ut will be guarded surely"
mo. I think they wanted me to es-
cape, for they went out that way after
barring the front door. But they
didn't think you would be with me
when took my leave. Come quickly
or they will be round to it from the
front"
The two made their way to the for
ther end of the cathedral, where the
horses were stalled. The vast nave
was dark and would soon be black
as cellar until the moon rose. It
WAS used as military storehouse, as
stable. and as u dormitory for troops
when the accommodation in the town
was ovcrtaXed. AS Armstrong and
his companion stumbled over obstruc-
tons toward the horses, the spacious
chamber rang with the impact Of tim
Der against the stubborn doors.
Frances, knowing the geography of
the place, led the way with her horse,
and Armstrong followed with his.
Once outside. there was more light
than lie wished for. but their way to
the rear was clear, and, mounting, he
took the lead, crossing an alpine ridge
which had done duty during the siege,
and taking n somewhat terrifying
leap down to the grecnsward of the
field at the back of the cathedral.
Then they ran north through a slight
valley and for the moment were safe
from observation. 81
'"The moon will be up soon," said
the young man, "and l don't know
whether to welcome it or fear it."
Eve shall do neither. rs we have no
influence one way or another, and
must bear it's disadvantages or the
reverse. as chance wills. Now tell me
what happened. How did you es-
capey
The tale was soon told. half humor-
ously, as if it We're an escapade rath-
er than an escape. and the narrator
wound up with Il determination to
avoid the main road in future.
81 give you full credit for great in
genuity, but we stumbled upon the
parliamentarians with no plans made.
Everything has been done on the spur
of the moment, and has not been
thought out before the crisis came. A
/ few chance remarks got us clear at
| Warwick, while inspiration and fog
were your safety at Lichfield, and even
then by one brief instant of time. The
recurrence Of such strokes of luck
and good management are not to be
looked for. Some time the moment
needed will go against us, and then all
is lost. 1 propose we take to the main
road again, which must be near at
hand on our left"
"You forget we have no pass from
Cromwell now. The lieutenant has
it."
you will have q pass for yourself
the moment you are north Of Manches
ter, which cannot be more than fifty
miles away. We must get over those
miles MS speedily as possible. There
fore the main road is our route"
Yes, If it were practicable. Surely
danger lies thick along the main road
II 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 til,
place thoroughly no messenger will b.
sent north. We are ahead of then
once more, with the news of your cap
ture travelling in front of US. We will
keep ahead SO long us we ride fast ant
until we stop somewhere for the night
Then they, having relays of horses
while we have only our own, will pas
us. We cannot ride all night or W
shall kill our horses. But we can GOV
err a good deal of the ground between
here and Manchester. Once north o
Manchester think you are fairly safe
So propose we ride now for the mai
road and keep going rs long as on
horses are able to travel"
agreed! But, following your owl
instructions. what are we to say whel
we are stopped? We have no pass. s
how am l to account for myself?"
"You IRE Roundhead soldier, sen
on to Manchester by the colonel a
Lichfield."
II look like Roundhead soldier!
cried William, with a laugh.
"You will. 1t is always well to hav
some one in travelling party who Gu
think. Have you not noticed the loa
you carry behind your saddle?"
Armstrong turned. The rising moo
displayed steel cap that looked llk
an overturned pot and bundle o
cloth, all neatly strapped on.
"The cathedral is storehouse 70
uniforms and accouterments enough t
fit out regiment. / selected the lal
gest suit could find with cloak an
cap, and belted them to your saddle
Now shall hold your horse while yo
to into the thicket and change your raj
ment. Conceal your cavalier costum
as well as you can, SO that If they trac
us over this fog sodden turf, which ]
likely, they will get no hint Of you
new appearance. 1t might be well t
climb tree and tie your discarde
shell among the leaves with the strap
that bind the bundle to your horse, an
be careful to leave neither the king
message nor your purse with your fir
cry"
1t was happy omen for future dc
nestle peace that the huge man did a
once and without question what til
comparatively fragile young woma
babe him, she holding his horse Will
he made the rapid change. When b
emerged the horse plunged, and sh
had some ado to hold him until b
heard his masters voice and laugh.
They speedily came upon the mai
road and cantcred on through the beau
tiful night, determined to put fit
miles or thereabout between them
selves and Lichfield. but before the
had accomplished half that distanc
| Ar,psfropu cow fhnf tho pirl ,,,oo non,