The National tribune., 1906-11-01

Il should like turn with you. but
disappeared from above me.
In an instant. without thinking OF
danger. / laid my hand to the rope.
was up. 1 saw him 80 yards off, run
ming like deer toward the shelter of
the forest. For once Rupert Hentzau
had chosen discretion for his part. ]
laid my feet to the ground and rushed
after him, calling to him to stand. He
would not. Unwounded and vigorous,
he gained on me at every step; but,
forgetting everything in the world ex-
| cept him and my thirst for his blood,
1 pressed on, and soon the deep shades
of the forest of Zenda engulfed US both,
pursued and pursuer.
1t was 3 o'clock now. and day was
| dawning. I was on a long, straight
grass avenue, and 100 yards ahead ran
young Rupert, his curls waving in the
fresh breeze. / was weary and painting:
he looked over his shoulder and waved
his hand again to me. He was mock
ing me, for he saw he had the pace of
me. 1 was forced to pause for breath.
A moment later Rupert turned sharply
to the right and was lost from my
sight.
1 thought all was over. and in deep
vexation sank on the ground. But
was up again directly, for a scream
rang through the forest-a woman's
scream. Putting forth the last of my
strength, I ran on to the place where
he had turned out of sight, and turn
ing also, 1 saw him again. But alas!
1 could not touch him. He was in the
act of lifting a girl down from her
horse; doubtless it was her scream
that / heard. She looked like a small
farmers or peasants daughter, and
she carried a basket on her arm. Prob
ably she was on her way to the early
market at Zenda. Her horse was a
stout, well-shaped animal. Master Ru-
pert lifted her down amid her shrieks-
the sight of him frightened her: but
he treated her gently. laughed. kissed
her. and gave her money. Then he
| jumped on the horse, sitting sideways
| like woman; and then he waited for
me. I. on my part. waited for him.
Presently he rode toward me, keep
ing his distance. however He lifted
up his hand. saying:
What did you in the castle?"
II killed three of your friends,
said I.
What! You got to the cells?"
Yes
"And the King?"
HE was hurt by Detchard before
killed Detchard, but / pray that he
lives
You fool" said Rupert pleasantly
"One thing more / did"
And what's that?"
Il spared your life. I was behind
you on the bridge, with a revolver in
my hand"
No? Faith, I was between two
fires,"
Get off your horse" 1 cried, "and
fight like a man."
Before LADY," said he. pointing to
the girl "Fie, your Majesty.''
Then in my rage. hardly knowing
, what / did, / rushed at him. For a
moment he seemed to waver. Then
he reined his horse in and stood wait
ing for me. On / went in my folly. !
seized the bride and I struck at him.
He parried and thrust at me. 1 fell
back a pace and rushed in at him
again. and this time I reached his face
and laid his cheek oren. and darted
back before he could strike G.e. He
seemed almost mazed at the fierceness
of my attack: otherwise 1 think he
must have killed me. l sank on my
knee, painting. expecting him to ride
at me. And so he would have done,
and then and there, 1 doubt not, one
or both of us would have died; but at
the moment there came shout from
behind u.s. and. looking round, I saw
just at the turn of the avenue man
on a horse. He was riding hard. and
he carried a revolver in his hand. 1t