The Washington herald., 1909-04-29
CHAPTER VI.
The Cricket Guides.


The seven men were Of various statures.
and Of various physiognomies;' but all
were OF equal degree Of motley. and the
one degree Of rufianism- They exhibited
sundry fresh wounds on faces. arms. and
bodies. marks Of the recent fracas. and
added thereto were some old scars, me-
mentos Of fracases more ancient In ap-
pearancs they mingled the free-soldier
with the wOodsman.
They were garbed in scuffed and bat
tered jacI-boots well pulled I'D. and
wostherbesten. hard-used short jackets
the fashion thereof copied after the Eng
Iish ierkin-with greasy waistcoats show
Ing beneath. The headgear was cap or
hat evidently as fortune had bestowed.
COlors all we're faded by sun and rain
Coat or cap once gay was dingy and sub
dued. IN their general aspect Of devil
Inay-CaTeneSs and rugged service the con-
pany blended well. like the bizarre but
tiTrc-adjusted pattern Of an Old Oriental
rug.
Straight sword for the left side. sus-
pended from the opposite shoulder. and
lOng-baTTeled pistol for the right side.
likewise suspended. with leather flask
Tor powder and square pouch for bullet
and patch was the individual armament.
The seven stood stOck-stiII for min
ute, staring upon the king and the fool
and the queen; and the king. the fool.
and the queen eyed them back-the first
haughtily, the second cOoily, the third
vonderingly-
The men spoke among themselves, re-
ferrlng 10 the THO in an inpersonaI style
exceedingly rasping.
These three alp
"Jesu. but somebody gave ne a crack
when / was helping haul the woman
out"
That fellow IN brownie was the one
7 had hold Of
The one in blue was trussed on the
coach box. I remember him"
You lads can have the two men II
take the pretty baggage
Not # Blind Joe's Bess knows Il, Rob,
You pig; best be content with what
you've got I'll take the woman
The sally brought a chorus OF rough
laughter.
-'weH?" demanded the king. coldly. his
chin lifting
Hush bade the fool. with authoritive-
ness
The king flushed sngrily. but something
in the others covert anxiety repressed
him.
What IS it you want with usg- ad-
dressed the fool
Nobody IN the band made ready an
swer- Several laughed, looking one at
another.
Did you get your man, Fritzg' asked
a faded purple jacket
No, L cut his head Of, but the rascal
50. --TfF
with a chuckle, a faded green.
''Well2-- remanded the king. not holly
What is It We want with your spoke
a tan fellow in q jacket OF stained yellow
and boots with yellow tops. Wait and
ne ierked his thumb backward over his
shoulder
Re thrust his sword, with a clank into
the scs5baTd, and staggered across the
road His companions followed suit They
sheath9a their long blades, and, having
casually examined the coach and the
horses and the corpse up-stariug IN me
road, one by one they sprawIed down. 10
rest ard to bind up their wounds. The
three mounts fell 70 grazing. reaching and
nibbling al the scant forage Of the road
side
The fool calmly seated himself by the
queen.
Have no fear. either OF you" he said
in low tones Let ne do the talking.
that is all"
The king also seated himself
But DO not understand" murmy1red
the queen. plaintively.
The fool surveyed her keenly. thought
fully a shadow fitted across his face.
The king however, was gazing moodfiv Al
the ground.
Two more men-then another. and yer
another, emerged from the forest DEPTHS
and Joined the company. They scanned
tiie= three prisoners CUriOUsly. and fling
ing themselves down, exchanged Quip and
comment with their fellows
Where's Cap2" asked one.
The tall wight with the yellow Jacket
and boot tops jeTked his thumb. as be-
fore. over his shoulder
Comm ne said. The Cricket went
on TO tell him. al the other camp"
The lOunging men talked IN low voices
and nursed themselves: conversation Ian
guished, Iapsed into the ftful and the
disconnected, died away The sun rose
higher, gradually flooding the road About
the lifeless bodies and the blood spots
iias loudly buzzed
The three prisoners exchanged not a !
word The king continued to gaze ab-
- oLLtlA- a. TIE AADlll II front OF him !
Presently there was a Jingle Of bride !
and rattle Of sword; and threading rapid |
~ a faint path. scarcely 10 be noted. /
weaving among the trunks on the oppo- /
site side OF the road at a trot. toward 1
them came asm man, closely followed by /
another.
The group by the road stirred With Ian /
guild interest and lazily arose. At the 4
adge Of the trees the foremost man reinei /
iip. and his glance swept The scene
Il cannot be said that he was better 1
dressed than the others: but he sat his /
horse as II no horse was there. and be-
meath his dropping brim, out from be- 4
twixt two straight-set. compelling dark
ewes, JEtted vita bold curve nose like
the beak Of hawk. terminating square /
OF iust above the crisp. black moustache.
Come, come" he said. brusqueIy.
Burn that coach, some Of you. Be sure