Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-03-13

A growl as OF a dozen bulldogs an
swered him, and he drew back as
child might who has trodden on al
adder. You fools," he spluttered
glazing at them v~iciously. Are vol
mad? Do you know what you are do
ing? Do you see this?" He whipped on
from some pocket a short white stat
and brandished It. II come direct from
the lord chancellor n pom his bust
ness. Do you hear? And IL you resisI
me IT Is treason. Treason. you dogs!'
he cried, his rage getting the better OF
him, and like dogs you will hang fol
1t. Master Hundredman, | order you
TO take In your constables and arrest
that mani"
What MANI" quoth Tom Miller, eye
ing him fxedly.
The stranger who came in an hour
ago and IS inside the house.
Him, he means. who told about the
p~urveyor across the road explained
the monk. with a wink.
That wink sufficed. There was a roar
or eXecration, and i'm the twinkling OF an
eye the Jack in office, tripped up this
way and showed that, was struggling
helpleSsly In the grasp OF half a dozen
men, who fought savagefy for his BODY
with the h"undredman and the con-
stables.
ITO the river! To the Ouse with
him!' yelled the mob. I'm the queens
name!" shouted the officers. But these
were 10 those as three to a score and
taken by surprise besides and doubtful
or the rights OF the matter. Yet. for
an instant. as the crowd went Keeling
and fighting down the road, they pre-
vailed. the constables managed to drag
their leader free, and I caught a
glimpse OF him, wild eyed and frantic
with fear. his clothes torn from his
back, standing at bay like some ami
maj n brandishing his STAFF In one
hand. a packet of letters In the other.
L nave letters, letters of state!' he
screamed shrilly. Let me alone. I tell
you! Let me go. you curs!"
But in vain. The next instant the
mob were upon him again. The packet
OF letters went n way, the staff was
oashed another. He was thrown down
ana plucked up again and hurried
bruised and struggling. toward the
river, his screams for mercy and furious
threats rising shrilly above the oaths
and laughter.
felt myself growing pale as scream
followed cream. They will kill him.
l exclaimed, trembling, and prepared
TO follow. II cannot see this done"
But the monk, who had returned 10
my side, grasped my arm. Don't be a
fool, he said sharply. II will ansver
Tor 1t, they Will not kill him. Tom Mil
Ter Us not a fool. though he is angry.
lie Will duck him and let him go. But
| VIII trouble you for that bit of gold,
young gentleman"
] gave II TO him.
NOW he continued with a leeer at
VIII give you a hint in return. II Won
are wise. you will be out OF this conn
try In IL hours. Tethered to the gate
over there is a good horse, which be-
longs to a certain purveyor now in the
Take it, There is no one to saw
you nay. And begone!"
looked hard at him for a minute.
my heart beating fast. This was horse
inc horse stealing was . hang
matter. But / had done so much
| felt might as well be hanged
Tor a sheep as for a lamb. / was NOT
sure that l had o melted to treason
and what was stealing a horse beside
that? Il viii do It," / said desper-
ateIy.
Don't lose time, then" quoth my
'
/ went out then and there and found
ne told the truth. Every soul i'm
place had n to see the ducking.
and the street was empty. Kicked
aside in the roadway lay the bundle
OF letters, soiled, but not torn. and in
gutter was the staff. | STONED
ana picked up n and the other-in
Tor a lamb, in for a sheep and
might be useful some day. Then
jumped into the saddle and twitcbed
The reins off the hook.
But before | could drive in the snurs
l hand fell on the bride, and the
monks a appeared at mn knee.
Well" | said, glaring down at him.
was burning TO be away.
THAT Is a good cloak you have got
he muttered h%urriedly. There.
strapped to the saddle, you fool! You
10 not want that. Give il me. Do
hear? Quick, give it mel" he cried
'aising his voice and clutching ar II
his face dark with greed and
fear. ~
Il see" / replied as 1 unstrapped II.
4 am to steal the horse that you NAV
get the cloak. And then you will Law
ne lot on my shoulders Well, take
.! cried, and go your way as fast
IS you can
Throwing 1t at him as hard az
,ould | shook up the reins and went
,f down the road at a gallon. The
wind whistled pleasantly past nv ears
rhe sounds Of the town grew faint and
Instant. Each bound of the good hack
me farther and farther from
danger, farther and farther
from the old life. In the exhilaration
and excitement of the I for
got my condition, forgot that | had not
4 penny piece in my pocket, and that
had left on unpaid bill behind me.
even that l rode a-welI. a Dor
horse.
(Contisued Next Week.1