The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-03

trived or been the agent of the plot to
carry off Eveline.
It was the next day before Damian re-
gained consciousness, and when he real
lied what had happened and where he
was he demanded his armor, declaring he
was foresworn knight, derelict to his
duty and only by death could regain his
honor. 1t appeared that the departure of
so many knights and mobiles with their
men-at-arms for the crusade had left the
country without the repressive force
which usually kept it in order and, taking
advantage of the situation, the rabble had
arisen and under various ambitious lead
ers were burning and pillaging villages
and even besieging and sacking towns.
A royal mandate had ordered Damian to
march with his force to the relief of Wild
about ten miles away. He had set his
troops in motion, when, hearing that Eve
line was. in danger he had diverted their
course to the border in order to protect
her. with the results stated.
Now the constable had cousin, Ran
dial De Lacy, a man broken In fortune and
reputation, who, taking advantage of the
constables absence and Damian's distant
duty, had skillfully and persistently
! spread abroad rumors of the death of his
cousin. which had come from the east
and started scandalous stories regarding
| Damian to the effect that he had sup
planted the constable in the affections of
Eveline and was secretly visiting her. He
| encouraged the rebelious peasants Sc
cretly, declaring that he did SO by order
| of Damian.
| They, utterly deceived, proclaimed Da-
milan their friend. TWAS he, too, who
had, disguised as dealer in falcons, lured
| Eveline outside the castle at time when
he knew Damian was about to march to
| the relief of Wenlock and then saw to it
that knowledge of her danger was car
ried to the young guardian. His object
was to draw Damian deep into the Welsh
mountains by the magnet of the captured
Eveline, SO that the youth might incur
the wrath of the King by disobeying the
royal order to relieve Wenock and thus
! confirm the rumors of Damians favor to
the rebels He even purposed the death
of Damian should opportunity offer. What
J measure of success had attended his
Vaccinations we have seen.
Eveline, when she realized the situation
| of Damian, at once assembled his follow
| ers and her own in the courtyard and or
] dered them to march under the command
| OF Amelot, the Squire, to the relief OF
/, Wenlock. But the soldiers were mutinous
| They believed the scandals which had
i been spread among them by Randall, and
besides, they said, they objected to march
+, ing to battle under the command of q
beardless youth, while as to their mas
ter's sentiments in regard to the rebels
| IL all they could hear was true, it would
not be according to his wishes. Eveline's
I spirit was aroused by their coarse insin-
uations and open defiance. Shame on we
j craven hounds!' cried She DO We quail
/ and give back the minute We lose sight Of
the huntsman? But I see how it is, my
brave friends; we lack leader here. ]
i will lead YOU" And, catching up the
pages light helmet, she placed it upor
her head and, seizing sword contin'
4 ued: woman as I am. there is not q
man among you need fear disgrace wher