The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-01-14

from the dripping bushes, and two of
them seized the reins of the startled
horses.
Resistance is useless" said the sol,
der, hanging to the rein of the plung-
ing Bruce. There are hundred men
along this lane"
II have no need to resist" oied
Armstrong with affected indignation.
although none realized so well as he
that the game was up. 1--WE are peace
full travellers under safe conduct from
General Cromwell himself"
"The lieutenant will be here direct
ly," said the man, and as he spoke a
party of horsemen came galloping
down the lane.
who fired that shotT cried the Of
fcer in charge. Before an answer
could be given he came upon the two
captives. "Who are your" he demand
ed
Travellers to Carlisle, who have lost
their way in the mist and are seeking
the highroad."
IF you have pass, let me see it,"
Here 1t is"
"Your name is Armstrong perhaps?"
''The pass does not say So"
do you deny itT'
mo"
"You are prisoners. Where is. the
buglerT'
Here, SIR"
Sound the recall"
The man placed the bugle to his lips,
and the merry notes. rang out into the
obscurity. After roll call, every
name being answered, the lieutenant
gave the word to march, and horse and
foot set out for the west, the two pris-
oners In the center Of the phalanx.
The head of Frances dropped, and Will
rode close by her side as cheerful as
ever, trying to comfort her.
Clever man, this Cromwell" he
whispered, with admiration In his
tones. "Ysu see what be has done?
He has run thin lines across the coun-
try as fast as horses could gallon.
stringing out the local men as they
went along. We have probably blum
dered through one or two Of these lines,
but were bound to be caught sooner or
later unless we made for the coast on
either side, and that would but have
delayed things a bit, for there was
little chance Of us getting ship with
all ports In his hands. 1t serves me
right should have killed De Courcy
and then galloped for it. However.
the Lord stands by us. Frances. Never
forget that
1T doesn't look much like it, said
the girl despondently.
"Oh, WELL nothing looks hike itself In
this accursed fog. Why couldn't we
have had this mist on the road from
York? Still, I don't think 1t would
nave made any difference once Crom-
wells riders got to the north of us.
Resourceful man, Oliver. l like him.
And | don't Yet you are supposed
10 be against him, and l am supposed
to be for him. fear him.
"Oh. there's no danger; not the slight
est for either of us. I'm In no dan
GER neither are you"
Il trust 1t will appear So"
1T cannot appear otherwise. He was
trying to brighten you when he said he
would hang me. He is a sly, capable
dog, who will be satisfied with having
beaten me and will not court trouble
with my counuymen by hanging even
a borderer. 1t cost one of our kings
his throne to do the like of that
This conversation, with which there
was no interference on the part of their
captors, was brought to a conclusion
by their arrival at the main road
Here halt was called. and the bugle
was sounded, again to be answered as
before, from different directions. dis |
mount" said the officer to Armstrong
whereupon the latter without a word |
sprang to the ground. Against the next
move he protested. but his opposition
was unavailing and indeed unreplied
to, The officer gave the lady and the
TWO horses in charge Of party of six
with orders to take them to Iichfield |
and install them in the cathedral A
guard was to be set at tho door. and |
no communication was to be allowed
with any one outside. Orders from
headquarters were to the effect that
the lady was TO be treated with every
Difference, and these orders were i'm
pressed upon the six men. The de-
tached squad disappeared down the
road In the fog. and Armstrong stood
uiseohsolate and angry. but helpless
surrounded by troopers.
Presently Armstrong heard the tram.
ping OF horse TO the south. ANA pres.
ehuy the sound OF voices became ou,fe
audible through the fog. There seem.
~ 10 be dispute going forward. which
was something unusual Ia the parlia.
ul'ntaiy forces, where, n discipline M.
p''fel laz, instant obedience was m.
fafiaDly required.
, 'eil you, colonel, ! am 10 take
.pprRe p The lady ana escort her hi
oromWoln !"