New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-04

snap his fingers at the foolish men who had
let him slip He threw back his head bowling
at them Ike dog, and at the instant an .--1,-
struck him full IN the throat and laid him dead
among the bracEen There was a hush -r.7-
prised silence, and then a loud cheer burst
from the archers
BY the rood Of Beverley" cried on Vat.
II have not seen finer rowing shaft -- --arv
year In my own best day / could not ave
bettered it Which Of YOU lOOsed Il
II was Awkward Of TIfOrd-Sar-..- lv1-
ward, cried a score Of voices, and t-. low
man, flushed at his own fame, was pushed %
the front
Indeed would that it had been al q q. tIar
mark SAID he He might have gone rec
for me, but / could not keep nv finger. tom
the string when he turned 20 jeer at US
Il see well that YOU are indeed a MASTER
bowman, SAID old Wat, and II Is comfort
10 my soul 10 think that if fall leave .1eh
a man behind me % hold high the credit M our
craft Now gather your shafts and On for
Sir Robert awaits us on the brow Of the --'f %
All day knOlles and his men marched
through the same Wild and deserted country.
inhabited only by these furtive creatures.
hareS % the strong and wolves % the weak,
who lowered IN the shadows Of the wood
Ever and anon upon the tops OF the hills
they caught glimpse OF hOrseue1 Who
watched them from a distance and va-.- he'd
when approached Sometimes bells rang an
alarm from villages amongst the hills and
twice they passed castles which drew ur their
drawbrldges at their approach and lined
their walls with hOOtIng soldiers as thew passed
The Englishnen gathered a few oxen and sheep
from the pastures of each; but knole5 had no
mind 70 break his strength upon stone walls,
and so he went upon his way
Once at Saint-Neen they passed a great
nunnery, girt with high gray lichened vail,
an oasis of peace in this desert of war the
black-rObed nuns basking in the sun or work.
ing in the gardens, with the strong gentle
hand OF Holy Church shielding them ever
4 4
as they passed, for the boldest and toughest
dared not cross that line guarded by the LIE
ban and blight, which was the one only 10ree
IN the whole Steel-rIdden earth which could
stand betwlxt the weakhng and the sPciler
The little army halted at SaInt-Nee1f and
cooked its midday meal. IL had gathered iTItb
its ranks again and was about 70 start, when
Knolles drew Nigel TO one side
Nigel" said he, 1t seems TO me that I
have seldom set eyes upon horse which hath
more power and promise OF speed than this
great beast of thine"
1t is indeed a noble steed fair sir said
Nigel. Betwixt him and his young leader there
had sprung up great affection and respect
since the dav that they set foot IN the BasIiiSk.
1t will be the better If YOU stretch his
limbs, for he grows Overheavv. said the knight
" Now mark me, NIGEL Wonder betwiNr the
ash-tree and the red rock. what DO YOU see
on the side OF the far hIll'
There Is a white dot upon II Surely It IS
a horse"
Il have marked II all morning. NlgeL
This hOrsenan has kept ever upon our flank,
spying upon us waiting 70 make some
attempt upon us. Now | should be night
glad 70 have prisoner, for it Is my wish 20
know something Of this countryside. and
these peasants can speak neither French nor
English l would have YOU Hnger here n
hiding when We go forward This man VIII
still follow US. When he does so. wonder wood
Will lie betwINt YOU and him Do Won -tie
round 1t and come upon him from behind.
There Is broad plain upon his left. and va VIII
cut him off upon the right Ii Your horse 1e
indeed the swifter, then YOU cannot fail 10
take him.
Nigel had already sprung down ami vas
Tightening Pommers' girth.
Nay, there is no need of haste. for vou
cannot start until we are TWO miles upon our
way. And above all / pray v0u, Nigel none
OF Your knight Grant WAYS. l- Is ---s man
that want, him and the news that he can
bring me Think little of YOUR own Advance
ment and much of the needs of -Ha army.
When YOU get him. ride westwards mon the
sun. and YOU cannot fail 70 find the red
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