The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-08-10


and all the uproar of a great camp
What boots it to waltz said Sii
William FELTON,. Let us ride dowr
upon their camp before they discover
us"
"And so say !, cried the Scottish
earl; for they do not know that there
is any enemy within thirty lone
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 your"
Nay" said Sir Nigel 81 have plan
by which we may attempt some
small deed upon them, and yet, by the
help OF God, may be able to draw of
again; which, as Sir Simon Burley
hath said. would be scarce possible in
any other way"
How then. Sir NIgel?p asked sew
eraI voices.
we shall lie here all day; for amid
this brushwood 1t is i'll 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 / would station a
score OF archers here in the pass, with
all our pennons jutting forth from the
rocks, and as many nakirs 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! l think very we'll OF
IT," cried the prudent old commander.
If four hundred men must needs run
a tilt against sixty thousand, | cannot
see how they can do II better or more
safely"
And so say J." cried FELTON,, hearth
ly But / wish the day were over, Tor
ii 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 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.
armed, with his vizor open ar
a hawk perched upon his left writ
he looked about him with the careless
air of 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 a moment il seemed as though he |
would have reached ~, for he had |
trampled over or dashed aside the ar
cheers who threw themselves in his |
way; but Horde John seized him by |
H. l. s..n.a a
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 bulfs bellowing!" cried |
Sir Nigel impatiently. Bring the man
lere. BY st. Paul! 1t Is not the first
lime that we have met; for, If l mis-
AXE not, 1t is Don Diego Alvarez, who
vas 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
You are the prisoner of the man who
ook you, Sir Diego" answered Sir Nj
rel. And 1 may tell you that better
men than either you or / have found
themselves before now prisoners IN
he hands Of the archers OF England"
1
nand?" asked the Spaniard
Big John scratched his red head and
srinned In high delight when the ques-
ion was propounded to him. Tell
him." said he, that | shall have ten
ows and bull too, If 1t be but lit
lie one. Also dress of blue sendall
or mother and red one for Joan; with
I've acres OF pasture,land two scythes,
md fine new grindstore. Likewise
small house, with stalls for the cows
nd thirty-six gallons of beer for the
hirsty weather
Tut, tut" said Sir Nigel, laughing.
All these things may be had for mon
v; and l think, Don Diego, that FIVE
thousand crowns is not too much for
o renowned a knight"
1T shall be duly paid him"
For some days we must keep you
gith us; and ] must crave leave also
D use your shield. your armor and
our horse. have need of 1t this day.
ut ii shall be duly returned to you.
ct guards, Awkward. with arrow on
tring. at either end of the pass; for +,
may happen that some other cava-
ers may visit us ere the time be
ONE. n
All day 1.e little band of English
zen lay in the sheltered gorge, look
1g down upon the vast host of their
INK behind c1oud-bank in the west !
efore Sir Nigel at last gave word that
he men should resume their arms and
ave their horses ready. He had him.
Elf thrown off his armor. and had
ressed himself from head to foot in |
ne harness of the captured Spaniard. z
Sir william" said he, lit is my opin-
IN to attempt small deed, and ask I
Oh therefore that you will lead this I
utfal upon the camp. For me / will I
de into their camp with my squire and /
NO archers. pray you 20 watch me, !
nd to ride forth when I am come
mopg the tents. You viii leave TWEEN !
, men behind here and as we planned
lis morning and you Will ride PACK
ere after you have ventured as iar
: seems good to you.r !
II win do as you order. Nigel; but /
Int Is that YOU propose TO dog"
You viii see anon, and indeed II Is
M a triffng matter Alieyne, you n
I'll co-ne with me. and lead spare a
,rse hv t,,e N~ssta will have the +
20 archers who rofa ~-ish us through
rance. FOR they are trusty men and b
stout heart Let them ride behind &
!, and let them leave their bows here
nong the bushes for II is not my Il
ish that they should know that we 4
q Tngiishmen. Say no word TO any
HON we NAV meet. and. II any speak q
you. pass on as though you heard #
So saving. Sir Nigel mounted the
hite horse or the Spanish cavalier. p