The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-03-31

| root of the stone quay or pier, when n
sound behind them caused them to look
back. Then they saw a sight that sent
the blood to their hearts, for there be-
hind them, leaping down one by one on
| to that narrow footway, were men arm
! ed with naked swords, six or eight Of
them. all of whom. they noted. had
strips of linen pierced with eyelet holes
tied beneath their helms or leather
caps so az TO conceal their faces.
"A snare. a snarer' cried Wulf, draw
ing his sword. Swift. Follow me up
the Bradwell path. and he struck the
spurs into his horse. 1t bounded for
| ward, to be dragged next second with
oil the weight OF his powerful arm al
most to its haUnches. Gods mercy.'
he cried. There are more Of them
And more there were. for another band
Of men, armed and linen hooded like
the FIRST. had leaped down Oh to that
Bradwell path, among them a stout
man. who seemed to be unarmed ex-
| cept for long crooked knife at his
| girdle and a coat of ringed mail.
ITO the boat.' shouted Goodwin,
whereat the stout man laughed, light.
penetrating laugh which even then all
three of them heard and noted.
Along the quay they rode, since there
was nowhere else that they could go.
with both paths barred and swamp
and water on one side Of them and a
steep wooded bank upon the other:
When they reached it they found why
the man had laughed, for the boat was
made fast with a strong chain that
could not be cut. More, her sail and
oars We're gone.
sect into it," Knocked voice. cor at
least let the lady get in. 1t will save
us the trouble of carrying her there
Now Rosamund turned very pale,
while the face of Wulf went red and
white, and he gripped his sword hilt.
But Goodwin, calm as ever, rode for
ward few PAGES and said quietly:
"Of your courtesy, say what you
! need of us. If it be money, we have
none-nothing but our arms and horses,
| which, think, may cost you dear
Now the man with the crooked knife
advanced a little, accompanied by an
other man, n tall, supple looking knave,
into whose ear he whispered.
my master says" answered the tall
man, that you have with you that
which is Of more value than all the
kings gold-a very fair lady, Of whom
some one has urgent need. Give her
up now and 60 your way with your
arms and horses, for you are gallant
| young men whose blood we do not
wish to she'd"
lAr C4I wiz
land go our ways dishonored? Aye,
with our breath, but not before! Who,
then has such urgent need of the Lady
Rosamund?"
Again there was whispering between
the pair
"My master says" was the answer,
che thinks that all who see her will
have need of her. since such loneliness
is rare. But if you wish name-well,
the knight Lozelle."
1.-THE knight Lozelle." murmured
! Rosamund, turning even paler than be-
fore, as well she might For this Lo-
zelle was q powerful man and Essex
born. He owned ships of whose doings
upon the seas and in the east evil tales
were told, and once had sought Rosa
mund's hand in marriage, but, being
rejected, uttered threats for which
Goodwin, as the elder of the twins, had
fought and wounded him. Then he
vanished, none knew where.
rs Sir Hugh Lozelle here. them
asked Goodwin, masked like you COM
mon towards? If so, desire to meet
him to finish the work 1 began in the
snow last Christmas twelvemonth."
Find that out if you can" answered
the tall man. But Wulf said, speaking
low between his clinched teeth:
Brother, I see but one chance-we
must place Rosamund between us and
charge them"
The captain Of the band seemed to
read their thoughts, for again he whls-
pered into the ear of his companion,
who called cut:
my master says that if you try to
charge you will be fools, since we shall
stab and hamstring your horses, which
are too good to waste, and take you
quite easily as you fall. Come, then,
| yield. as you can do without shame,
seeing there is no escape and that two
men. however brave. cannot stand
against a crowd. He gives you one
minute to surrender"
Now Rosamund spoke for the first
| time.
MY cousins" she said, Il pray you
not to let ME fall living into the hands
Of Sir Hugh Lozelle or Of yonder men
to be taken to what fate l know not
Let Goodwin kill me, then. to save my
honor. as but noN he said he would to
save my soul, and strive to cut your
way through and live to avenge me-"
The brethren made no answer. only
! they looked at the water and then al
one another and nodded. 1t was God.
win who spoke again. for now that il
had come to this struggle for life and
their lady, Wulf. whose tongue was
commonly so ready. had grown strange
~ silent and fierce faced also.
Listen, Rosamund. and do not turn
your eyes" said Goodwin. There is
but one chance for you and. poor as IL
is, you must choose between it and
capture, since we cannot kill You. The
gray horse you ride is strong and true
Turn him now and spur into the water
OF Death creek and swim ii. 1t is
broad, but the incoming tide will help
you. and perchanee you will not