Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-19


two men. the one pace or two behind the
other. The cavaliers could not but pull up
their horses to look at them, for stranger
pair were never seen 1ourneying together.
The first was a misshapen. squalid man
with cruel, cunning eyes and shock of
tangled red hair, bearing in his hands a
small implanted cross, which he held high
SO that all men might see 1t. He seemed
to be IN the last extremity of fright, with
a face the color Of clay, and his limbs all
ashake as one who hath ague. Behind
him, with his toe ever rasping upon the
others heels, there walked very stern.
biack-bearded man with hard eye and
set mouth He bore over his shoulder a
great knotted stick with three jagged nails
stuck In the head of IT, and from time to
time he whirled 1t up In the air with
quivering arm, as though he could scarce
hold back from dashing his companions
brains out. So in silence they walked I'M
der the spread of the branches on the
grass-grown path from Boldre.
b by st. Paulp quoth the knight "but
this is a passing strange sight and per-
chance some very pertlous and honorable
venture may arise from it. 1 pray you,
Edricson, to ride up to them and to ask
them the cause of 1t"
There was no need, however for him to
move, for the twain came swiftly toward
them until they were within a spears
length, when the man with the cross sat
himself down suilenly upon a tussock OF
grass by the wayside while the other stood
beside him with his great cudgel still hang
ing over nlS mead 80 intent was ne that
he raised his eyes neither to knight nor
squtres. but Kept them ever fixed with
savage glare upon his comrade.
II pray you. friend" said Sir Nigel TO
tell us truthfuliy who you are. and why
you follow this man with such bitter en-
mityT.
so long as I am within the pale of the
kings law the stranger answered. Il
cannot see why should render account to
every passing wayfarer"
You are NO very shrewd reasoner fell
low" quoth the knight; for il 1t be with
in the law for you to threaten him with
your club, then 1t is also lawful for me to
threaten you with my sword"
The man with the cross was down in an
instant on his knees upon the ground, with
hands elasped above him and his face
shining with hope.
For dear Christs sake, my fair lord"
ne cried, in cracking voice, Il have at
my belt a bag with a hundred rose mobiles,
and I will give 1t to you freely If you will
but pass your sword through this mans
body
How. you foul knave?' exclaimed SIR
Nigel. hotIy. do you think that cav
alters arm is to be bought Ike a pack
mans ware? BY ST. Paul! L have little
doubt that this fellow hath some very good
cause to hold you in hatred"
Indeed, my fair sir. you speak sooth,"
quoth he with the club. wniie the other
seated himself once more by the waySide.
For this man is Peter Peterson. a very
noted rieve, draw-latch and murtherer.
who has wrought much evil for many years
in the parts about Winchester. 1t was but
the other day. upon the feast Of the blessed
Simon and Jude. that he slew my younger
brother. William. in Bere Forest-for
which. by the black thorn of Glastonbury
shall have his hearts blood. though
walk behind him to the further end of the
earth"
but if this be indeed se," asked Sir
Nigel why Is 1t that you have come with
him so far through the forest?"
. I ar EsnnliSbmau
and VIII take more than the law al
lows. For when the deed was done this
foul and base wretch fled to sanctuary at
st. Cross. and I, as you may think, after
him with all the posse. The prior, how
this cross no man may lay hand upon him
without the ban of church, which heaven
ferfend from n,e or mine. Yet IL for an
instant he lay the cross aside, or If he fail
to journey to Pitts Deep, where Ii Is or
dered that he shall take sil, D to outland
parts, or If he take not the first ship, Ii
until the ship be ready he walk not every
he becomes outlaw. and 1 shall forthwith
dash out his brains"
At this the man on the ground snaried
up at him like rat, while the
other clinched his teeth, and shook
his club. and looked down at him
squire gazed from rogue TO ayenger, but. as
II was a matter which none COT mend.
they tarried no longer, but rode upon their
way. AIleyne. looking back. saw that the
murderer had drawn bread and cheese from
his scrip and was silently munching it, with
breast. while the other, black and grim.
stood in the sInfit road and threw his dark
shadow athwart him.
Go be continued tomorrow.)