Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-29

tavern about dusk | set off again upon the road:
but after going a mile or more, turned back: The
first thing L noticed a on horseback, and
after him another; and though | did not wait to
see, could ha sworn they both wheeled about on
seeing my maneuver, And, to crown all. l came
up the in the twinkle of night, and there
half dozen horses tethered at the door. Here
was a troop then and | had no doubt it was upon
my track; and for moment was driven to anx-
ETY.. How was to escape these otfclous custodianS
of my mission, if that they were? And back l
rode. cursing in my heart, to encounter the two
solitary men on horseback coming back to the inn,
sentnelS OF my espionage. l drove spurs into the
nag riding and fastened on; but if that little
meager man, t'other, the fat and smooth faced
COnSpiratOr had been l would ha throttled
both with two hands.
The Monmouth party manifestly in mighty
hurry; for, having supped by the way, they took
horse again as though they designed to ride out the
moon; and about midnight they had reached a
place where the track into surrounding wood;
and fully dark it there for all that old Oliver
shining Here they made pause, maybe to
deliberate; but at any their staying brought
me suddenly into their midst; and l Teined in.
pretty desperate as tell you.
GENTLEMEN" said boldly, resolved to seize the
~ occasion and wait no longer, 81 have message
for of you, and | need set on him. d,
The group remained in silence; but / noted that
one figure slipped from the others and moved
round if to get behind me. turned towards
him.
Srs, l come as a friend!' 1 called in louder
voice II wish to have speech of whom /
understand you would rather left unstyled."
There was mur1nuring of voices among them,
while l waited, and l doubt not that they were
arguing the point as to whether the Duke should
speak with me or not. And during this debate l
of a cracking of sticks behind me, and
l wondered if the figure had gotten there to be in
readiness; but then l made him out stealing back
to his companions. And next there a tiny
whistle of sound it were bird disturbed in the
autumn leaves and giving tongue to its alarm.
Twas the Pursuers | knew tor sure but | never
boldly, and with those eavesdroppers around and
in ambuscade me; and fore God l never
turned my head!
Presently of the Monmouth men spoke out.
Who you?' he asked.
"A friend said l steadily, and strained my
to hear the cracking of stick behind. But
there deathly silence.
After pause and a further consultation, a
mounted man forced his way from the group with
an air of one taking his way.
l knew twas Monmouth and pushed the horse
closer Your Grace said l in a lower tone,
and of a sudden l paused for into my was
come again the cracking of sticks behind.
IF you treachery-" he began sternly.
Nay, sir" said l. Il come in kindness and to
warn you against treachery, L said quickly, and
and drew nearer: Il am come from London to give
you warning There is plot against your Highness.
Sir, l who tell you SO know; for they would have
bought me body and soul for it,
What plot" he asked, while 1 listened, waiting
the wood behind me.
Its plot devised to assassinate your Grace,
| said, and It's priest that committed it to my
hands"
"A priest!" he exclaimed
"A priest" l said, that comes your Grace
should know whence. You should smell it to its
hole thereby"
The Duke of York; he said aloud. Gentle
men, now Shaftesbury says we'll. IT'S time for
action. They will leave alternative with
their damnable intrigues.'
There was a buzz of talk, and some questions
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