The La Jara chronicle., 1906-08-17

the shouting, the neiShlnB OF NURSES
and all the uproar OF great camp
what boots 1t to waltz" said Sir
william FELTON,. Let US ride down
upon their camp before they discover
us"
And so say l. cried the Scottish
carl: 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 1t is madness, for
you cannot hope to rout this great ar
my; and where are you to go and what
nre YOU to do when they have turned
upon your
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 to draw on
again; which. as Sir Simon Burley
hath said, would be scarce possible in
any other way"
How thon, Sir Nlgel?" asked sew
ernl voices.
I'VE shall lie here all day; for amid
this brushwood it is i'll 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 them. We shall have nightfall
to cover us when we draw on so that
We may make our way back through
tho mountains. / would station a
score of archers here in the pass. with
all our pcnnous jutting forth from the
rocks, and as many nakirs and drums
and buEles as we have with US, so that
those who follow US in the fading
light. may think that the whole army
Of tho prince is upon them, and fear
10 20 further. What think you of my
plan. Sir simon
by my trothi I think very well OF
it." cried the prudent old commander.
II four hundred men must needs run
TIT against sixty thousand, / cannot
see how they can do 1t better or more
safely
And so say l." cried FELTON,. hearth
Is. But / wish the day We're over. for
II win be an i'll thing for US II thoy
chance to light upon US"
Tho words were scarce out OF his
mouth when there came clattcr OF
loose stones, the sharp clink Of trottihs
HouTs. and "a dark-faced cavalier.
mounted upon white horse. burst
through thu bushes and rode swiftly
down the valley from the end which |
was fnrrHrzt from tho spanish camp
Lightly armed, with his vizoT open ard
a. hawk psrchcd upon his left wris'
he looked about him with the rATclshs
air Of a mun who ls bent wholly upon |
pleasure, and unconscious OF the pos
sibHlty of danger. suddenly however,
his eyes lit upon the fierce faces which
glHred out at him from the brushwood.
with n cry OF terror, he thrust his
spurs Into his horses sides. and dash
ed FOR the narrow opening of the gorge.
For moment 1t seemed as though he
would have reached II, for he had
trampled over or dashed aside the ar
chcrs 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.
II l set thee free?
Hush that bulls belIowingr cried
Sir Nigel impattcntly. Bring the man
here. BY st. Paul! II is not the frst
time that We have met: for, if l mis-
take not, 1t is Don Diego Alvarez, who
was once at the princes court
1T is indeed H. said the Spanish
knight. Il trust that 1 am now the
prisoner Of some honorable knight or
gentleman"
you are the prisoner of the man who
took you. Sir Diego answered Sir Nj
gel. And l may tell you that better
men than either you or l have found
themselves before now prisoners IN
the hands OF the archers of England
What ransom, then. does he de-
rnand?-' asked the Spaniard.
Big John scratched his rcd head and
grinncd in high delight when the ques-
ton was propoundcd to him. Tell
him." said he. that 1 shall have ten
cows and bull too. If it be but lit
tie ono. Also dress OF blue sendall
for mother ana red one for Joan; with
five acres of pasture-land, two scy ythes.
and u iuc new Eriudstone. Likewise
Il small house. with stalls for the cows
and JhIrty-slG gallons of beer for the
thirsty weather"
Tut, tut" said Sir Nigel. laughing.
All these things may be had for mon
ey; and l think. Don Diego, that five
thousand crowns is not too much for
so renowned knight"
TT shall be duly paid him"
For some days we must keep you
with us; and 1 must crave leave also
to use your shield, your armor and
your horse. have need Of 1t this day.
but il shall he duly returned to you.
Set guards, Aylwnrd, with arrow on
string, at either end of the pass; for
it may happen that some other cava-
liers may visit US ere the time be
come"
All day the iit,lc 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 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. "it is my opin-
ion 10 attempt small Geed, and 1 ask
YOU therefore that you VIII lead this
outfall upon the camp For me, 1 will
ride into thelr camp with my squire and
two nrchers I pray you to watch me
and to ride forth when ! am come
among the tents You will leave tweh
~ men behind here. and as we planI'eu
this morning. and you VIII rae oach
here after vou have ventured as far
n seeurs GOOD to YOU"
''I will do as you order. Nigel; but
what Is that YOU propose to do?'
you will see anon. and indeed 1t is
hrt+ vi 0natter A11evne, YOU
--i,I come with me-. and lead n spare
horse hv tbn N-'d'e 7 will have the
two nrchere who rodn With us through
France. FOR they are trusty men and