The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-05-04
SILVER SPUR
CHAPTER XIX.

Night came, and found us but midway
between Temple and Launceston; for,
tho my comrade stepp'd briskly beside
me, twas useless to put Molly beyond
walk; and, besides, the mare was new
from her days journey. Billy engaged
that by sunrise we should be in sight Of
the Kings troops.
BY daybreak we stood on a ridge above
hollow vale into which the sun did lot
yet pierce. but passing over to a high
conical hill beyond, smote level on line
after line Of white tents-the prettiest
sight Twas the enemy there encalnp-
ed on the top and some way down the
sides, the smoke of their trampled watch
fires still curling among the gorse bushes.
Looking down into re valley at our
feet, at first l saw ign of our own
troops-only the roof |. a little town.
But here / heard the c. .rch bells clash
ing and drum beating, and presently
spied a CLEAN of arms down among the
trees, and then regiment of foot moving
westward along the base Ct the hill. 1t
was evident The battle was at hand and
we Quickened our pace down into the
street.
1t lay on the slope, and midway down
we passed some watch fires burned out,
and then a soldier or two running and
fastening their straps: and last a little
child, who seemed wild with the joy Of
living amid great events, but led US pref
~ straight to the sign Of THE Tree"
which indeed was the only tavern.
1t stood some way back from the
street, with a great elm before the porch,
where, by a stable, sat two men with
small company OF grooms and soldiers
standing around. Both men were more
than ordinarily tall and soldier like. only
the bigger wore a scarlet cloak very rich
~ laced and was shouting orders to his
men, while the other dressed in plain buff
suit and jack boots, had a map spread
before him, which he studied very atten-
lively.
What a plague have we here?" cries
the big man as we drew up.
Recruits if it please you, sir" said L,
dismounting and pulling off my hat,
though his insolent tone offended me.
Slid! The boy speaks as If he were
regiment" growls he half aloud.
'Can'st 6ght?"
THAT, with your leave, sir, is what
an come to try"
He turned on Billy.
And this rascal?'
Billy heard not a word, of course, yet
answered readily:
why, since your honor is SO pleas
antly minded, let 1t be cider"
Now the first effect OF this, delivered
with all force Of lung, was to make the
pig man sit bolt upright and staring. All
this while the man in buff had scarce
lifted his eyes of the map. But now he
looks up-and / saw at the first glance
that the two men hated each other.
Il think" said he quietly, my Lord
Mohun has forgot to ask the gentleman
name"
My name is Marvel, sir@John Mar
vel." l answered him with q bow.
.'Hey"'-and he starts up and grasps
my hand. Then it's you l have never
thanked for His Gracious Majesty's let
ter"
The General Hopton?' cried l.
Even so, sir. Ny lord" he went on,
still holding my hand and turning to his
companion, ''let me present to you the
gentleman that in January sav'd your
house of Bocconnoc from burning at the
hands of the rebels"
His lordship bowed, exceedingly sulk-
ily But / did not value his rage, being
hot with joy to be so beprais'd by the
first captain on the royal side. Who now,
not without sly triumph, folding up his
may, ADDRESSED me again:
Master Marvel, the fight to-day will
lie but little with the horse-or so hope.
You will do well, if your wish be TO serve
US best, to leave your mare behind. The
troop which my Lord Mohun and COM
mand together is below. But Sir Bevill
Granville, who has seen and is interested
in you, has the first claim; and / would
not deny you the delight to fight your
first battle under so good master. His
men are. with Sir John Berkeley's troop
a little to the westward: and if you are
ready 1 will go some distance with you
and put you in the way to find him. My
lord, may we look for you presentlyw
The Lord Mohun nodded, surly enough
SO, Molly given over to an ostler, we
set out down the hill together, Billy
shouldering a pike and walking after
with the groom that led Sir Ralph's
horse Be sure the Generals courtly
manner of speech set my blood tingling
seem'd to grow a full two inches taller
and when. in the vale, we parted, he di
recting me to the left, where through q
gap l could see Sir BeviIps troop form
ing at some five hundred PAGES distance
felt a very desperate warrior indeed
and set of at a run, with Billy behind
me.