Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1907-03-29

What excuse could we make 10
hugo cur Prince?" he said at last
Scarcely did he believe us the last
time. And on this occasion we have
lis direct orders"
are we not still Envoys?" queried
BORIS And as ENJOYS of a great
princlpality like Plassenburg-repre-
sentatiyes of the most noble Prince
and Princess in this Empire. should we
NOT ride with retinue due and fitting?
That is not taking the Palace Guard
into battle. 1t is only affording pro-
lection to their Excellencies' repre-
sentatiyes."
That sounds well enough answer
ed Boris doubtfully, "but will it stand
probation, think you, when Hugo
scowls at us from under his browse"
We'll" said Jorian, "at all events,
there is always our Helene. l think
we may risk it,"
True" meditated Boris, you say
well. There is always Helene. The
Little Playmate will not let our necks
be stretched! Not at least for sue
couring a PR. cess in distress"
In short quarter of an hour the
drums of the Plassenburg Palace
Guard mad beaten to arms. From gate
to gate the light sea-wind had borne
the cheerful trumpet call, and when
Joan returned, heartless and downcast,
with half dozen more mouldy rascals,
smelling of undertakes and damp
stable straw, she found before her
more than half the horsemen of Plas-
senburg armed cap-a-pie in Furnished
steel. Whereat she could only look
at Boris in establishment
your Highness," said that captain,
saluting gravely, 1--WE are only able to
accompany you as ENJOYS Extraordin-
airy of the Prince and Princess of Plas-
senburg. But as such we feel it our
duty in order properly to support our
State to take with us suitable attend
ANGEL"
Before Joan could reply messenger
came squirting up the long, narrow
streets. Joan took the letter and
opened it with jerk.
From High Captain Won Orseln to
the Princess Joan.
Come with all speed, if you would
be in time. We are hard beset. The
enemy are all about us. Prince Con-
rad has ordered a charged"
The face of the woman whitened
as she read, but at the same moment
the fingers of Joan of the Sword Hand
frightened upon the hilt. She read the
letter aloud. There was no comment
Boris cried an order, Jorian dropped
to the rear, and the retinue of the En-
voys Extraordinary swung out on the
road towards the great battle.
AS Joan and the war-captains OF
came nearer they heard
a low growing roar like the distant
sound of the breakers on the outer
shore at Isle Rugen. 1t rose and fell
as the fitful wind bore it towards
them, but it never entirely ceased.
They dashed through the fords OF
the ALA. the three hundred lances OF
the Plassenburg Guard Gathering
eagerly behind them. Joan led, on
black horse which Conrad had given
her. The two war-captains with one
mind set their steel caps more firmly
on their heads.
They came nearer. A few wreaths
Of smoke, hanging over the yet distant
field. told where Russ and Teuton met
in battle array. A solemn, slumberous
heard at intervals split
he dull general roar apart. 1t was
he new cannon which had come from
he Margraf George to help beat back
he common foe. Then they began TO
mass umping men hasting cityward.
With fleeing and panic-stricken wretch
IS who looked over their shoulders as
f they saw steel flashing at their
Jacks.
..Kernsberg!" cried Joan, her sword
,ieh in the air, as she set spurs in her
lack stallion and swept onward
,ood twenty yards before the rush OF
he horsemen of Plassenburg.
loans quick glance about her for
,onrad told her nothing Of his where
bouts. But the two war-captalns, !
nore experienced. perceived that the
Iuscovites were already everywhere
ictorious. Their wings outfanked
nd overlapped the slender array OF
CORTLAND. Only about the cannon and
n the far right did any seem to be
laking a stand.
ssTherel" cried Jorian, COUGHING his
,nce there by the cannon is where
20 will get our bellyful of fighting.
He pointed where, amid confusion
+ fqbting men. wounded and strug-
ling horses. and the great black tubes
T the Margraf's cannon, they saw the
turdv form of Werner Won Orsein,
rown larger through the smoke and
ustv smother, bestriding the body OF
-, ,-o;obf He fought as one