The Delta independent., 1906-08-17

low there surged up the buzz OF voices.
the shouting, the neighing OF horses
and all the uproar of a great camp.
What boots ii to waltz? said SIT
william FELTON,. Let us ride down
upon their camp before they discover
us"
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. Il think that it is madness. for
you cannot hope to rout this great ar
I my; and where are you to go and what
are you to do when they have turned
upon you?"
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 on
| again: which. Sir Simon Burley
/ hath said. would be scarce possible In
any other way"
How then. Sir Nigel" asked sew
eral voices.
we shall lie here all day: for amid
! this brushwood it is i'll for them to see
US. Then when evening comes we snail
sally out upon them and see II we may
not gain some honorable advancement
! from them. We shall have nightfall
! to cover us when we draw on SO that
we may make our way back through
| the mountains. | would station
| score of archers here in the pass. with
all our pennons tutting forth from the
rocks, and many nakirs and drums
and bugles as we have with us, so that
| those who follow us in the fading
| light, may think that the whole army
| of the prince is upon them. and fear
to go further. What think you OF my
! plan. Sir Simon?'
BY my troth! I think very well OF
| it," cried the prudent old commander.
| II four hundred men must needs run
| a tilt against sixty thousand. l cannot
see how they can do 1t better or more
safely
And SO say l." cried FELTON,. hearth
| ly. But l wish the day were over, FOR
1t will be an i'll thing Tor us II thcy
chance to light upon us.
The words were scarce out OF his
| mouth when there came n clatter OF
loose stones. the sharp clink of trottins
hoofs. and 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.
! Lightly armed, with his vizor open ard
Il hawk perched upon his left wris'
he looked about him with the carelehs
air of a man who is bent wholly upon
| pleasure, and unconscious of tho pos
| sibility of danger. Suddenly, however,
! his eyes lit upon the fierce faces which
| glared out at him from the brushwood.
| With n cry of terror, he thrust his
|
| ed for the narrow opening of the gorge.
| For a moment 1t 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 ana
| dragged him from the saddle, whiie
| two others caught the frightened horse.
"Ho. ho!" roared the great archer
| How many cows wilt buy my mother,
| II | set thee free?
| Hush that bulls bellowing" cried
| Sir Nigel impatiently. Bring the man
{ here BY ST. Paul! 1t Is not the hrst
| Zine that we have met: for. IL | mis-
! take not, it is Don Diego Alvarez. who
| was once at the princes court.
| 1T is indeed l." said the Spanish
knight. Il trust that | 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 l may tell you that better
men than either you or ! 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-
ton was propounded to him. Tell
| him" said he, that ] snail nave ten
cows and a bull too, If it be but lit
for mother and a red one for Joan: with
Ave acres of pasture-land, two scythes.
| and fine new BrindstOne. Likewise
a small house, with stalls for the cows
and thirty-six gallons OF beer Tor the
thirsty weather.
Tut, tut" said Sir Nigel. laughing.
All these things may be had for mon
ey; and / think, Don Diego. that hVe
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 ! must crave leave also
to use your shield. your armor and
your horse. l have need or 1t TINS Day
but 1t shall be duly returned to you.
Set guards Aylward, with arrow on
string, at either end of the pass; for
1 IL may happen that some other cava-
liers may 'sit us ere the time pe
come"
All day ,.-e little band of English
men lay in the sheltered gorge. look
ing down upon the vast host OF their
uu,,5.-~ious enemies. The sun had
sunk DC !in.. : "loud-bank in the west
before Sir Nige; AZ 49, cave word that
the men should resume their US and
have their horses ready. Tie had n.n'-
self thrown of his armor. and had
dressed himself from head to foot in
Il the harness of the captured Spaniard
"Sir william" said he. ut Is my opin-
ion to attempt a small ceed. and / ask
YOU therefore that you Will lead this
outfall upon the camp: For me, VIII
ride into their camp with my squire and
,wo archers. I pray you to watch me,
- rian Torth when I am come
among tho tents You Will leave t"eh
} ty men behind here. and as we planneo eS
this morning. and you VIII rae oaor ~ ,
here after you have ventureo as 'a'
as seems good to vou."
II will do A. you order. NIGEL pu'
| " Ia that YOU OrOpOse TO 0Of
J you will see anon, and indeed It u
hut a trihinE matter Alleyne. you
viii come with me. and lead spare
horse nv tho h-'d'e. VIII nave .ns
France, for they are trusty men and
Of stout heart. Let them ride behind
~. ana let them leave their bows here
among the bushes for It IA not my