Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1906-01-18


overthrow Of Its rider If it had been
the horse OF Armstrong that had be-
gun these dancings, his guards would
have been Instantly on the alert for
IN attempted escape. but at the very
@e0ent their eyes should have been
on the Scot their attention was with
drawn. Armstrong did not laugh. but.
tArusting back his knife, whipped out
his sword and struck De Courcy's
horse twice with the broad OF it. His
own steed leaped forward under the
prick Of the spur. and before the colo
mel could give word Of command the
two had disappeared in the fog ahead
Even then the colonel, who was the
Only man that had his wits about him,
did not think there was the least
chance Of escape, for he heard the
troop coming toward him, and Arm
strong must run directly into it. He
rose in his stirrups to give the alarm
to those ahead. when all heard ring
Ing shout: "Charge, cavaliers. God
save the king! Charge.'
Out Of the fog came scattering
dre. then volley Two horses and
three men went down. while the other
troopers hastily unslnng their carbines
and fred down the street without wait
ing for the word of command.
"Stop. you fools" yelled the colonel.
You are shooting your own men"
Then to the oncomcrs he roared Il like
warning. which was drowned i'll anoth-
e. volley. The Lichfield men were not
to be taken i'm, even if they had heard
the warning With their own eyes
they had seen two cavaliers burst upon
them out Of the fog with strident cry
tor the king. DE Courcy, coming first.
they concentrated upon him, and he
went Down before them. Armstrong,
swinging his sword. shifting right and
left. believing like a fiend in true cav
alier STYLE very Prince Rupert come
again. dashed Mt the weakest spot. and
his impetuosity carried all before him.
"Never mind him. cried the leader
and break their Charge And fire they
did right stoutly until Il maddened Of
6cer. with Il bravery that scorned the
bullets around him, galloped along
their front, waving his sword and com
handing them to stop.
You are billing your own men!''
There are no royalists. but an interfer-
ing fool of Frenchman and an escaped
Scot. Back to Lichtield." Neverthe-
less battle is not quelled Mt Il word
and the brave colonel pressed through
among then, and galloped i'm pursuit Of
his late prisoner.
Once clear of the clash Armstrong
was not sparing of a horse that belong
ed to some one else. At great risk to
his neck he raced through the blind
opposition should he meet it. He cmerg-
Cd from the fog with a suddenness that
startled him. The sun had set. and
there. barely mile away. stood out
against the darkening sky the great
red bulk Of the cathedral with it's wal
broken towers and the little town hud.
died at lIs feet. At the same moment
be became aware that some one was
laundering after him. and again he
dug the cruel spurs into the laboring
horse.
a glance over his shoulder showed
him the colonel breaking through the
bank of fog, and he thought of turning
and fighting him ON the run. but tho
sound of firing had ceased. and he
knew the colonel would prove Il stoutel
combatant than the f'renchman, SO he
hurried on. Aside from this, Lichtield
had been reused by the sound of the
guns, and he saw the long, narrow
street that lay between him and tho
cathedral becoming alive with pikcinel
and knew he would have his work cut
out for him if he was to get safely
through the town AS soon as he came
within earshot he shouted to them:
"Barrlcade the street, rhe king is
upon us. have just escaped. Oul
men are on the retreat Defend the
town to the south. Barricadc. Barri
cade!' Thus he clattered through
Lichfield, shouting.
The soldiers began the running out Of
carts and whatever other Instructions
they could lay their hands upon t.
make the way difficult for the oncom
ing colonel who swore as loudly al
their stupidity as if he We're the kings
own.
what are you about, you accurse(
clodhoppers: Don't you know kings
man when you see one? Leave thai
rubbish and follow me to the cathe
drnl."
Armstrong; horse. nearly done stag
gered over the bridge and up the slight
incline that led to the cathedral pre-
cincts. Across the gounds surrounding
the church had been raised Il grca'
earthwork, and the battered west from
Of the sacred building showed thai
war had been no respecter of sculp
turetl beauty. A lone pikeman paccl
up and down before the cathedral door
but paused as he saw this impctuous
rider. whose horse had stumbled anG
fallen at the top of the rubbish heap
what do you there shouted Arm
strong. springing nimbly from his fall
en- horse. Didn't you hear the firing
Down to the street and help your com
rades: The town is attacked. Run
Il was told to stand here objected
the bewildered guard.
run, confound you. Eo you ques
ton the word of an officer"
The man. trailing his pike, ran ant
disappeared down the street.
"Frances, Frances. are you within
Open the small door. 1t is !, Arm
strong