The Citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1903-1912, 1906-11-24
Copyright. 1898. 1900. by s. r.. Crock
CHAPTER XII.
Joan Stand. Within Her DANGER.

SOdV otdVut FNS' So'SO's
SO soon as Werner Won Orseln re-
turned to Castle Kernsberg with news
of the forcing of the ALA and the
Overwhelming numbers of the Musco-
wife hordes, the sad-eyed Duchess OF
Hohenstein became once more Joan
of the Sword Hand.
The invading army must have num-
bered thirty thousand, at least. There
were, all told, about two thousand in
Kernsberg. Won Orseln, indeed. could
easily have raised more. Nay, they
would have come in of themselves by
hundreds to fight for their Duchess,
but the little town could not feed
more.
When Werner Won Orseln and Peter
Balta met the invader at the fords OF
the ALA, Maurice Won Lynar and AIT
Picker had remained with Joan, nomi'
nally to assist her dispositions. but
really to form a check upon the I'M
petuosity of her temper
Now Won Orseln was back again.
The fords OF the ALA were forced, and
the fighting strength Of Kernsberg
united itself in the Eagles Nest 10
make its final stand.
Aloft on the highest ramparts there
was terrace walk which the Spar
hawk much affected, specially when he
was on guard at night. II looked tow
ards the east, and from II the hrst
glimpse of the Courtlanders would be
obtained.
Presently the chief captains step
was heard on the stone turnpike.
"Ha, Sparhawk," he cried, this Is
cold cheer why could we not have
talked comfortably in hall, with a
beaker Of mead at ones elbowY'
81 wanted to speak with you on
matter we cannot mention elsewhere
said Maurice Won Lynar.
"How long can we hold out IL they
besiege us?"
1.-TWO months. certainly-with luck,
three!"
"And what OF the Duchess Joanf"
persisted the young man.
"Why, in the same time she VIII be
dead or wedl" said Won Orseln, with
an affectation OF carelessness easily
seen through.
I'VE must get her away TO place
OF safety" said the young man. Won
Orseln laughed.
Get her? Who would persuade or
compel our lady? WHITTIER would she
20? Would she be safer there than
here? Would the Courtlander not find
out in twenty.four hours that there
was no Joan Of the Sword Hand In
Kernsberg, and follow her trail?"
I'VE must persuade her-capture
her, compel her. II necessary. kerns
berg cannot for long hold out against
both the Muscovite and the Court
lander"
what? Capture Joan OF the Sword
Hand and carry her on? The mead
buzzes in the boys head. He grows
dJtty with anxiety and too much hard
ale"
"Von Orseln," said the youth. with
simple earnestness. not needing his
tarnts, 81 have thought deeply. | see
no way out OF Il but this. Our lady
will eagerly go on reconnaissance u
you represent II as necessary. You
must take ten good men and rid,
north, far north. even TO the edges OF
the Baltic. TO a place know OF, which
none but ! and one other can find
There, with a few trusty fellows "a
guard her, she will be safe till the
push OF the times is over"
"But how" said Won orseln, medi
tating, will you prevent her absence
being known? The passage OF sc
large a party may easily be traced and
remembered. Though our folk ar,
true enough and loyal enough. sooner
or later what Is known In the Castle
is known in the town. and what II