Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-08-17

wood, and TOOK counsel together as 10
what they should do; while from be-
low there surged up the buzz OF voices
the shouting the nelghlng Of horses,
and all the uproar OF a great camp.
What boots II 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 10 do when they have turned
upon your"
Nay" said Sir Nigel. II have a 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 Burnley
4 hath said, would be scarce possible In
any other way"
How then. Sir Nlgelr asked sew
eral voices.
we shall lie here all day; for amid
this brushwood it is III for them to see
us. Then when evening comes we shall
sally out upon them and see II we may
not gain some honorable advancement
from them. We shall have nightfall
to cover us when we draw off so that
we may make our way back through
| the mountains. i would station a
score of archers here in the pass, with
all our pennons jutting forth from the
rocks, and as many nakrs and drums
and bugles 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 go further What think you Of my
plan, Sir simon?"
by my troth! I think very we'll Of
it," cried the prudent old commander.
If four hundred men must needs run
a tilt against sixty thousand. l cannot
see how they can do 1t better or more
safely"
And so say l." cried FELTON,, hearth
! ly. But 1 wish the day were over, for
1t will be an I'll thing for US If they
chance to light upon US"
The words were scarce out of his
mouth when there came a clatter of
| loose stones, the sharp clink of trotting
hoofs, and a 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 and
a hawk perched upon his left wrist
he looked about him with the careless
air of a man who is bent wholly upon
| pleasure, and unconscious 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
| 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
/ cheers 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,
if l set thee freeY"
Hush that bulls bellowing" cried
sir Nigel impatiently. Bring the man
here. BY st. Paul! it is not the first
time that we have met; for, If 1 mis-
take not, 1t is Don Diego Alvarez, who
was once at the princes court"
ut is indeed l." said the Spanish
knight, Il trust that l 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-
mandT' asked the Spaniard.
Big John scratched his red head and
l IL oh da1iuhf xuha
ton was propounded to him. Tel
him." said he, that / shall have ter
cows and bull too, If 1t be but lit
tie one. Also a dress Of blue sendal
for mother and red one for Joan; with
five acres of pasture-land, two scythes
and a fine new grindstone. Likewise
a small house, with stalls for the COWS
and thirtysix 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 fol
so renowned a knight"
1T shall be duly paid him."
For some days we must keep yoI
with us; and l must crave leave alsC
to use your shield, your armor anC
your horse. have need of it this day
but it shall be duly returned to you
Set guards, Awkward, with arrow OF
string, at either end of the pass; fol
il may happen that some other cava
Tiers may visit US ere the time b.
come"
! All day the little band of English
men lay In the sheltered gorge, look
: ing down upon the vast host of thei
unconscious enemies The sun hat
sunk behind a cloud-bank in the ives
before Sir Nigel at last gave word tina
| the men should resume their arms ant
, have their horses ready. He had him
self thrown off his armor, and ha
l dressed himself from head to foot Il
, the harness of the captured SpaniarG
: "Sir William" said he, 1T is my opin
) ion to attempt a small deed, and asl
t YOU therefore that you will lead thi
outfall upon the camp. For me, I will
2 ride into their camp with my squire an
two archers. I pray you to watch ms
and to ride forth when l am cum
among the tents. You will leaVe tWen
. tv men behind here. and as we Planne
this morning, and you Will rue 0a ~
= bare after Won have ventured as Ia
1 as seerrs good to you"
ST will do as you order, Nigel; bU
r what is that you propose to do?"
s You will see anon. and indeed II
9 but a trihing matter. Alleyne, 20
e viii come with me. and lead a spar
horse nv the hridln 7 will have tn
S two archers who rode with us throug
4 France for they are trusty men an
: of stout heart. Let them ride PENN
: MS. and let them leave their bows her
/ fr N m