Charlevoix county herald., 1906-08-11

The leaders sat amongst the box
wood, and took counsel together as to
what they should do; while from be-
low there surged up the buzz OF voices
the shouting, the neighing OF horses'
and all the uproar of a great camp
What boots it to wait?" 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, II 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, II have a plan
by which we may attempt some
small deed upon them, and yet. by the
help OF God, may be able TO draw off
again; which, as Sir Simon Burley
hath said, would be scarce possible in
any other way"
How then, Sir Nigel? asked sew
eral 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
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
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
hi l,ak k1 nh
of the prince is upon them, and fear
to go further. What think you Of my
plan. Sir Simon?"
by my troth! 1 think very well OF
it," cried the prudent old commander.
If four hundred men must needs run
a tilt against sixty thousand, 1 cannot
see how they can do il better or more
safely"
And so say l." cried FELTON,, hearth
ly. But 1 wish the day were over, for
1t will be an Ill thing for us if they
chance to light upon u.s."
The words were scarce out of his
mouth when there came a clatter OF
loose stones, the sharp clink of trotting
hoofs, and q 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 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 a moment it seemed as though he
would have reached II, for he had
trampled over or dashed aside the ar
chers 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 1 set thee free?"
Hush that bulls bellowingw cried
Sir Nigel impatiently. Bring the man
time that we have met; for, If 1 mis-
take not, it is Don Diego Alvarez, who
was once at the princes court"
1T is indeed t. said the Spanish
knight, II 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 1 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-
mand? asked the Spaniard.
Big John scratched his red head and
grinned in high delight when the ques-
tion was propounded to him. Tell
him." said he, that 1 shall have ten
cows and a bull too, If it be but lit
tie one. Also a dress Of blue sendall
for mother and a 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 thirty-six gallons of beer for the
thirsty weather"
Tut, tut" said Sir Nigel, laughing.
"All these things may be had for mon
ey; and 1 think, Don Diego, that five
thousand crowns is not too much for
so renowned a 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. 1 have need of it this day,
but it shall be duly returned to you.
Set guards, Aylward, with arrow on
string, at either end of the pass; for
1t may happen that some other cava-
liers may visit US ere the time be
come"
All day the little 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 a 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 off 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 to attempt a small ceed, and 1 ask
you therefore that you will lead this
outfall upon the camp For me, / will
ride into their camp with my squire and
two archers. I pray you TO watch me,
and TO ride forth when ! am come
among the tents. You will leave tWeh
ty men behind here. and as we planned
this morning. and you Will rloe pach
here after you have ventureo as iai
az seerrs good to vou."
at will do as you order, Nigel; but
what Is that you propose TO do?'
"You will see anon, and indeed N Is
but a trif1ing matter. Alleyne, you
will come with me. and lead a spare
horse nv the Nridia ' will have the
two archers who rode With us through
France. for they are trusty men and