The Breckenridge news., 1906-08-08
GSN CopYri 9hted 1884 By Harper & Brothers .

and rode quietly forth from his con-
cealment with his three companions
behind him. Alleyne leading his mas
ters own steed by the bride. SO many
small parties Of French and Spanish
horse were sweeping hither and thither
that the small band attracted little
notice and making its way at a gentle
trot across the plain, they came as far
as the camp without challenge or
hindrance. On and on they pushed
past the endless lines of tonts. amid
the dense swarms OF horsemen and Of
footmen. until the huge royal pavilion
stretched I'm front ot them. They were
close upon u when ~ \ sudden there
broke out q wild huhhuh '~"~' a dis
tant portion Of the camp. with screams
and war-cries and all the wild tumult
Of battle. At the sound sold me
rushing from their tents. knights
shouted loudly for their squires. and
there was mad turmoil on every hand
of bewildered men and pluneing horses.
At tho royal tent a crowd ~ gorgeous
~ dressed servants ran hither and
thither in helpless panic for the guard
~ soldiers who were stationed there
had already ridden on i'm the direc-
tion OF the alarm. A an-at-arms on
either side OF the doorway were the
sole protectors of the royal dwelling.
II have come ror the king" whisper
must back with us or 7 must bid
here"
Alleyne and Aylward Sprang from their
horses. and flew at the two sentries. who
were diSarmcd and beaten down I'm an in
Stant by so furious and unexpected an at
tack. Sir Nigel dashed into the royal
tent ana was followed by Horde John aS
soon as the horses had been secured From
within came Wild SCREENINGS and the clash
saf 1fa hon Fh. erf.I
more. their swords aud forearms red
deued with blood while John bore over
his shoulder the senseleSs body Of man
whose gray surcoat. adorned with the lions
and towers of CASTLE proclaimed him TO
belong TO the royal house. A crowd Of
whte-faced sewers and pages Swarmed at
their heels. those behind pushing forwards
while the foremost shrank back from the
fierce faces and reeking weapons Of the
adventurerS. The SenSeleSS body was
thrown across the spare horse. the four
sprang 10 their saddles. and away they
Numbered with loose reins and busy spurs
through the swarming camp.
But confusion and disorder still reigned
among the Spanlards. for Sir William
FELTON, and his men had swept through
half their camp. leaving a long litter Of the
dead and dying to mark their course Tn
certain who were their attackers. and un-
able 10 tell their English enemies from
their ucwly-arrived Breton allies. the
Spanish knights rode wildly hther and
thlther In almless fury. The mad tu--
moil. the mixture Of races. and the fading
light. were all In favor OF the four who
alone knew their own purpose among the
vast uncertain multitude Another Ave
minutes Of wild galloping over the plain.
and they were all back In their gorge.
while their purSuers fell back before the
rolling Of the English drums and bare
Of trumpets which seemed to proclaim
that the whole army Of the prince was
about to emerge from the mountain
passes.
by my soul! Nigel" cried Sir oliver.
what have we hereT'
1T is "A prisoner whom ] 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
panions. crowding round in amazement
Nay Sir Nigel. said FELTON,, peering
at the prisoner through the uncertain
light 81 have twice seen Henry Of
Transtamarc. and certes this man In no
way resembles him.
who are YOU felowT' ne added In
spanish "and how is it that you dare
tu wear the arms Of CastileT'
The prisoner was but recovering the
from him by the grip Of Horde John.
III it please You, he answered, Il and
nine others are the body-squres OF the
king. and must ever wear his arms. so
as 10 shield him from even such perils
as have threatened him this night. The
king is at the tent Of the brave Du Guesc-
lin. where ne will sup to night. But I am
a caballero Of Aragon. Don Sancho Pene-
losa. and. though ] be no king. ] am yet
ready to pay a fitting price for my ran
som.
by Saint Paul, ] will not touch your
gold. " cried Sir Nigel go back to your
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. IL was but iu
my cageruess to know SO famed and cour-
teouS kRlght. Spur on, comrades! for
we must cover many league ere we can
venture t. light fire or to loosen girth.
CHAPTER XVI
II was cold. bleak morning in the be-
ginning OF March. and the mist was drift
ing in dense rolling clouds through the
passes Of the Cantabrian mountains. The
Company had passed the night In shell
tered gully Here and there. through the
dense haze which surrounded them, there
lOOmed out huge piunacles and juttiug
houlders OF rock: while high above the
sea Of vapor 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 in
from the prince with words OF heart-stir-
ring praise for what they had done, and
with orders that they should still abide In
the forefront Of the army.
THE Lord Loring Graves your attend
ance in his tent" said a young archer TO
Alleyne.
The squire found the knight seated upon
cushion with his legs crossed In front
Of him and a broad ribbon OF parchment
laid across his knees. over which he was
poring with frownlng brows and pursed
lips.
1T came this morning by the princes $
messenger" said he, "and was brought
from England by Sir John Fallislee. who
is new come from SUSSEX"
Alleyne turned 10 the letter and, as his
eyes rested upon IT, his face turned pale
and a cry OF surprise and grief burst from
his lips
What them" asked the knight peering
up at him anxlously "There Is nought
amiss with the Lady Mary or with the