The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-29

same
material in the form Of boots. Horse
and man were so subtly suited, each tn
each. that such another pair might we'll
have given to some early artist the first
idea of centaur. Armstrong was evil
IDENTIFY familiar with the district he
traversed, for he evinced no surprise
when, coming to the crown Of height.
be saw in the valley below him a one
stored stone building, whose out
houses and general surroundings pro-
claimed it solitary inn, but the horse.
less self contained and doubtless more
fatigued, thrust forward his ears and
gave utterance to a faint whinny of
pleasure at the near prospect of rest
and refreshment. The hand of the
rider affectionately stroked and patted
the long black name, as II in silent
corroboration of the animals eager an
ticipations.
The young man was as fair as his
mount was dark. A mass of yellow
hair flowed out from under his Scots
bonnet and over his broad shoulders.
A heavy blond mustache gave him a
semimilitary air, a look Of the cavalier,
as If he were remnant of that strick-
en- band across the border which was
fighting for King Charles against dali
" increasing odds; but something of
iaunty self confidence in Armstrong;
manner betokened that the civil war
raging in England was no concern Of
his, or that, if he took any interest In
It. his sympathies inclined toward the
winning side, as indeed was the case
with many Of his countrymen. His
erect bearing, body straight as one Of
his native pines, enhanced the soldier
like appearance Of the horseman, and
1t needed but a glance at his clear
skinned but resolute face and powerful
frame to be convinced that he would
prove a dangerous antagonist to meet
in combat, while the radiant good
nature Of his frank countenance indi-
Gated merciful conqueror should vic
tory fall to him, as seemed likely un-
less the odds were overwhelming.
Both prowess and geniality were on
the instant Of being put to the test as
be approached the inn, where a way
farer is usually certain of a welcome
If he has but money in his pouch. A
lanceman, his tall weapon held up
right, stepped out into the road from
the front of the closed door before
which he had been standing, when he
saw that the traveller was about to
halt and dismount.
oil Hn R,,v i~S ~
faurer forret," limited the sentinel in a
cautious, insinuating manner, as If he
were but giving expression to the
others unspoken intention.
"a wise man halts at the first public
house he comes to after the sun is
down." replied Armstrong.
"Ah'm thinkin' a mans no vera
wise that stops whaur he's least want
ed If them that's no wantin' him has
good arm in their hauns."
AYE, my lad, steel's bonny argu-
ment, rightly used. Whut's a. tn steer
here that a tired man, willing to pay
" his way, is sent doom tn rodT'
- "Weel, We see there's muckle folk in
ben yonner that has mony thing ia
chatter ABBOTT, an that's a. All ken
Vt, except that Ah'm ia let name inside
IA disturb them
Whose man are your
"Ah belong ia tn Yerl O Traquatr."
"And a very good friend of mine the
Earl Of Traquair is. Will you just go
Inside and tell him William Armstrong
Is sitting here on his horse?"
THAT wull All no, fur If tn king
himself were ia ask All munna let him
by tn door, Sa jist TAX fule's adj
Vice fur vince and gang ava ia tn
next inn afore it gets darker an ye're
like to lose yer rod amang tn hills"
Il must get something for my horse
to eat. He's done and should not be
pushed farther I'll wait outside until
their lordships have finished their coun-
Gil"
9TH stalls are a. fou already, an,
II not wi better nags, at least wi the
nags O. noblemen, an Ah'm thinkin'
that's neither you nor me-"
'The stalls may be fou, but my
beasts empty. and must get feed OF
corn, noble or simple. Ye tell the earl
It's me and yen be thankit."
Indeed. me Draw man, All tax or
ders fra the yerl himself an fra name
else. Jist ticket yer beast wi the spur.
or Ah'll gle him a jab WI tn point o
this spear"
The descent Of young Armstrong was
% instantaneous that the man at arms
had no opportunity Of carrying out his
threat or even Of leveling the unwieldy
weapon in his own defense. The
horseman dropped on him as II he had
fallen from the clouds, and the pike
rang useless on the rough cobble-
stones. The black horse showed no
sign Of fright as might have been
expected, but turned his intelligent
head and calmly watched the fray as
II accustomed to any eccentricity on
the part Of his master. And what the
nne eyes Of the quadruped saw was
startling enough. The wide spread
limbs Of the surprised soldier went
whiriing through the air like the arms
OF windmill in a gale.