The Breckenridge news., 1906-08-08

wood and took counsel together as to
what they should do; while from be-
low there surged up the buzz 0f voices
the shouting. the neighing OF horses'
and all the uproar Of great camp
What boots il to waltz? said Sir
William FELTON,. Let us ride down
upon their camp before they discover
us"
"And so say I. cried the Scottish
earl; for they do not know that there
is any enemy within thirty long
leagues Of them
For my part" said Sir Simon Bur
ley. Il think that il is madness, for
YOU cannot hope to rout this great ar
my; and where are YOU to go and what
are you to do when they have turned
upon you?"
Nay" said Sir Nigel. Il have plan
by which we may attempt some
small deed upon them. and yet. by the
help OF God. may be able 10 draw OF
again. which. as Sir Simon Burley
hath said. would be scarce possible in
any other way"
How then. Sir Nigel" asked sew
eral voices
We shall lie here all day; for amid
this brushwood it is in for them to see
uS Then when evening comes we shall
sally out upon them and see If we may
not gain some honorable advancement
. from lltIu. " q NilAll IldNt MS III ~
to cover us when we draw Off so that
we may make our way back through
the mountains. ! would station
score Of archers here In the pass with
all our pennons jutting forth from the
rocks. and as many nakirs and drums
and hugIeS as we have with us. so that
those who follow us in the fading
light. may think that the whole army
Of the prince is upon them, and fear
TO 20 further What think you Of my
plan. Sir simon
BY my troth, ] think very we'll OF
it," cried the prudent old commander.
II four hundred men must needs run
tilt against sixty thousand. l cannot
sec how they can do 1t better or more
safely"
And $50 say l." cried FELTON,. hearti-
ly But | wish the day were over. FOR
IL will be- an ill thing for US If thoy
chance TO light upon us.
The words were scarce out of his
mouth when there came clatter o.
loose stones, the sharp clink Of trottins
hoofs and dark-faced cavalier
mounted upon a white horse. burst
through the bushes and rode swiftly
down the valley from the end which
was farthest from the Spanish camp.
Lightly armed. with his vizor open ara
a hawk perched upon his left wris'
he looked about him with the caleleas
alI OF a man WIO is btlA " IlOllN np'll
pleasure, and uncons 'ious of the pos
sibility of danger. Suddenly. however.
his eyes lit upon the fierce faces which
glared out at him from the brushwood.
with a cry of terror, he thrust his
spurs into his horses sides. and dash
cd for the narrow opening OF the gorge.
For moment il seemed as though he
would have reached H. for he had
trampled over or dashed aside the ar
chers who threw themselves in his
way. but Horde John seized him by
the foot In his grasp Of iron and
dragged him from the saddle, while
two others caught the frightened horse.
"Ho. ho,' roared the great archer.
How many cows wilt buy my mother.
IL ! set thee free
Hush that bulls believing" cried
Sir Nigel impatiently. Bring the man
here. by 81. Paul, il is not the FIRST
time that we have met. for. If ! mis-
take not. it is Don Diego Alvarez, who
was once at the princes court
1t is indeed /. said the Spanish
knight u trust that / am now the
prisoner Of some honorable knight or
gentleman"
You are the prisoner OF the man vino
took you. Sir Diego" answered Sir Nj
gel And ] may tell you that better
men than either you or / have found
themselves before now prisoners IN
the hands Of the archers OF England
What ransom, then, does he de-
mand?' asked the Spaniard.
Big John scratched his red head and
grinned i'm high delight when the ques-
tion was prOpounded to him Tell
him" said he, that | shall have ten
cows and a bull too. If il be but lit
ile one. Also "A dress of blue sendall
tor mother and a red one for Joan. with
five acres Of paSture-land, two Scythes.
and A fine ETlnuEtpne. keWIE0
small house. with stalls Tor the COWS
and thirty-siN gallons OF beer for the
thirsty weather"
Tut. tut said Sir Nigel. laughing.
All these things may be had for mon
ey; and / think. Don Diego. that hve
thousand crowns is not too much for
so renowned knight"
1t shall he duly paid him
For some days we must keep you
with US; and ] must crave leave also
to use your shield. your armOr and
your horse. / have need of IL this day,
but il shall be duly returned to you.
Set guards. Aylward. with arrow on
string, AT either end OF the pass; for
il may happen that some other caNa-
liers may visit US ere the time be
come.
All day the little band OF English
men lay in the sheltered gorge, look
ing down upon the vast host OF their
unconscious enemies. The sun had
sunk behind a cloud bank in the west
before Sir Nigel at last gave word that
the men should resume their arms and
have their horses ready. He had him
self thrown OF his armOr. and had
dressed himself from head TO foot in
the harness Of the captured Spaniard.
Sir william said he, 1T is my opin-
ion to attempt a small Ceed. and / ask
you therefore that you will lead this
outfall upon the camp For me. / will
ride into their camp with my squire and
two archers. 7 pray you TO watch me
and to ride forth when ] am come
among the tents You will leave TWEEN
ty men behind here. and as we planned
this morning and you VIII roe oack
here after YOU have ventured as lar
as seems good 70 vou''
81 will do as you order. Nigel: but
what is that you propose TO do?"
You will see anon. and indeed II Is
but a trihing matter. Alleyne. YOU
will come with me. and lead spare
horse nv tbe Nrid'o v'ill have the
two archers who rodo Itch us through
France. for they are trusty men and
ot stout heart. Let them ride behind
us. and let them leave their bows here
among the bushes for II is not my
49,, gbo,tId LNOW that