The Delta independent., 1906-08-17

ana rode quietly forth from .us con-
'eal ent with his three companions
'ehi Id him. Alleyne leading his mas
ters own steeG by the bride. So many
| small parties of French and spanish
horse were sweeping hither and thltn"r
| that the small band attracted little
notice. and making its way at a gentle
trot across the plain, they came far
MS the cnmr without challenge or
hIndrance. On and on they pushed
past the endless lines of fonts avid
the dense swarms of horsemen and Of
footmen. until the huge royal PAVILION
stretched in front Of them. They were
close upon It when OF n sudden there
broke out n wild huthuh ~-~--, n dis
tant portion OF the camp, with screams
and war-cries and all the r-',d tunult
of battle. At the sound so'd'~-- 40
rushing from their tents. knights
shouted loudly for their squires, and
there was mad turmoil on every hand
Of bewildered men and plunrins horses.
At the royal tent crowd OF gorgeous
lv dressed servants ran hither and
thither In helpless panic for the qua I'd
OF soldiers who were stationed there
had already ridden on in the dlrec-
tion Of the alar-. A man-at-orms on
either side of the doorway were the
sole protectors Of the royal dwelling
Il have c"-'e - I've king" whisper
cd Sir Nigel: "and. by Saint ~
vet back with us or r1r-'
here"
Alleyne and Ayiward sprang from their
horses. and flew ut the two sentrles who
were dIsarmed and beaten down In an In
stant by so furious and unexpected nm at
tack. Sir Nigel dashed into the royal
tent and was followed by Horde John as
soon ns the horses had been secured. From
within came wild SCREENINGS and the clash
| OF steel. and then the two emerged onre
more, their swords and forearms rod
lened with blood. while John bore over
his shoulder the scnselcss body OF a man
whose gray surcoHt. adorned with the lIors
and towers OF CASTLE. proclaimed him to
belong TO the royal house. A crowd Of
wh;e-faccd sewers and pages swarmcd Mt
their heels. those behind pushing forwards.
while the foremost shrank buck from the
fierce faces and reekng weapons OF the
| adventures. The scnse'ess body was
thrown across the spare horse. the four
sprang to their saddles. and away they
thundcred with loose reins and buG-. spurs
through the swarmlng camp. -
But confusion and disorder stlll reIgned
among the Spaniar'h, for Sir William
FELTON, and his men had swept through
half their camp. leaving n long litter OF the
dead and dying to mark their course. I'm
certain who were their attackers, and un-
able to tell their English enemies from
their newIy-arrived Breton allies. the
Spanish knights rode wildly hither and
thithcr In aimlcss fury. Tsss mod tur-
moll the mixture OF races. and ihC radpg
light. were all In favor Of the four VINO
alone knew their own purpose among the
vast uncertain multitude. Another hve
minutes OF wild gallopng over the pllIn
and they were NIL back In their gorge
while their pursucrs fell hack before the
rolling OF the English drums and hlnre
Of trumpets. which seemed to proclaim
that the whole army OF the prince was
passes.
..py nv SouI' Niyai crIad Cir oliver
what have we heref"
1T Is n prisoner whom I have taken.
and In sooth, as he came from the royal
tent and wears the royal arms upon his
jupon. ] trust that he Is the King OF
Spain"
"The King of SPAIN cried the com.
pan Ions. rrowding round In amazcment.
Nay. Sir Nigel" said FELTON,. peerlng
at the prisoner through the uncertain
light. IL have twice seen Henry OF
Transtamnre, and certes this man In no
way resembles him.
who are you. fellowf' he added In
Spanish. land how Is IT that you dare
to wear the arms OF Cashier
The prisoner .n vas nu, recovering the
from him by the grip Of Horde John.
III 1t please you." he answered. 81 and
nine others are the body-squircs OF the
king. and must ever wear his arms. 50
| as to shield him from even such perls
l
| king Is at the tent OF the brave Du Guesc-
| lin, where he will sup to night. But an'
| n caballero OF Aragon, Don Snn"ho Pcue-
| losa. and though | he no king. | am yet
ready to pny fitting price for my ran
! SON..
| by Saint Paul! ] will not touch your
| gold.'' cried Sir Nigel Go back to yOnr
master and give him greeting from Sir
| Nigel Loring OF Twynham Castle. telling
him that ! had hoped to make his better
acquaintance this night. and that. II
| have disordered his tent, It but In
| my eagerness to know so famed and cour'
| teous n knight. Spur on. comrades! for
| we must cover many n league ere We can
venture t" light fire or to loosen glrth.
CHAPTER XVI.
1t was "A cold, bleak morning In the be.
| ginning OF March, and the mist was drift
| Ing in dense rolling clouds through the
| passes OF the Cnntabrian mountains. The
Company had passed the night In shell
tered gully. Here and there. through Tho
dense haze which surrounded them, there
| loomed out huge pinnacl"s and Juttnp
| boulders OF rock: while high above tn,
| sea of vnpor there lowered up one gigantic
peak, with the pink glow OF the early sun
shine upon Its snow capped head.
| The camp was loud with laughter and
| merriment, for messenger had ridden IL
from the prince with words OF heart-stlr
ring praise for what they had done. and
with orders that they should still abide IL
the forefront OF the army.
".-"- Lord Loring Graves your attend
anco Ia d. :-"'.' said n young archer t'
Alleyns.
The squire found the knight seaIa. -,or
a cushion, with his legs crossed In from
of him and n broad ribbon OF parchment
laid across his knees. over which he wa,
poring with frownlng brows and purset
lips.
4,
messenger said he, "and was brough
from England by Sir John Fallislec. VII,
is new come from Sussex.
Alleyne turned to the letter, and, ms hi
eyes rested upon It, his face turned pal,
and a cry If surprise aid grief burst from
bis lips.
"What then7' asked the knight, perrin,
up at him nnxiously. "There II nouyh
amlss with the Lady Mary Or with m.
Lady Maudef'