Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-01-01
SALLY MAKES
A CAPTURE
BY ROGER BIRCH

VI
fH--nn--sa.-m-
Robin" said Sally, her face close
to mine.
"Yes, Sally"
Don't go; everything is lone
some"
robin Cowper has given the
word Of an honest gentleman Of the
road to meet the coach at tonight. "
Gently 1 put her from me. shs
brushed away tear, then, brighten
ing:
''Pl go, too"
"a petticoat to fight the kings
guards7"
"Petticoat, no; coat and breeches
yes"
TOO dangerous, Sally. Wait till
the coach goes unguarded."
Robin, you have taught me the
sword; you know my mettle. II you
think me q coward. go and-find q
woman who isn't"
Pardon me, Sallyl Come alongl
I'll get horse
borrowed a fine roam and we gal
loped, she side-saddle, to Forest inn
The lads wore serious faces. It was
a bad job. yet, II we won, we could
quit the road for a year, so great
was the stake.
"Our newest member" l said in
Producing Sally. Giles laughed and
welcomed her, but some sneered-
until they caught my eye.
Mine host, Harlow, found a cava-
lier's suit that fitted Sally so she
looked like a boy, but no boy ever
showed fair face that valored me
for deeds of such daring.
THE best steel in the company,
boy" said Giles, handing her blade,
as a dozen of us galloped into South
combe forest. The lads caught the
name boy" and called her no other
Dud Hobart had been raised to
command of the troops sent with the
coach from Edencourt to guard the
kings gold. We would put a prank
on him, SO, at spot buried deep in
the gloom, we cut the trunk of a
tree till 1t was nearly ready to fall.
We waited amid shadows.
The riders came on. Our horses,
well trained, moved not an ear. The
troopers had Just passed the weak
ened tree, when a couple of lads
put shoulder against 1t and it fell
crashing across the highway, cutting
of troopers from coach.
You may believe there was scram-
bling. The troopers wheeled, but
their horses would not go through
the thick branches. The noodles
tumbled over each other out of the
coach. When they looked into a
dozen black masks they made dismal
noise. It looked an easy job. |
climbed into the coach and rolled out
kegs Of gold.
Now, 1t happened that some one
Il can't believe It was dullpate Dud)
had put on rear guard, which came
dashing up and set up my cullies
Just when Dud's fellows, having dis
mounted, came to the rescue of the
gold. Outnumbered two to one, my
lads never had more furious fighting.
Dud espied me and pumped for
the coach door to cut me through
as 1 bent to pass out. Sally, quick
eyed for my safety, engaged him.
Too agile for him, she pricked him
and got away from every slash. 1t
could not last long. He was too
penderous, her sword arm too much
. dainty woman's. He saw me near
Ing, gave a savage lunge at Sally
TO make her skip back, then turned
upon me.
Now happend a woman's trick
which I still laugh at. Sally's arm
weary, she cast down weapon, and
being behind Dud, next instant had
both hands in his hair-woman's
most natural way of lighting. Men
brave to face death cannot endure
being pulled bald. Sally jerked sharp
ly with one hand, then the other, and
every Jerk made Dud vince. He
backed and she steered him toward
the trees. where Kit and the roam
stood. Gripping a keg under each
arm, followed, ready to use sword
II Dud broke away.
signaled lad to grip more kegs,
then whistled them all into the for
est. Three had been cut down. Halt
the kings men we're on the ground.
Once We were among the trees, the
traps were afraid to follow.
Let 90 Dud's hair. boy" I said
to Sally.
Hes my prisoner"
Where with him?"
"To Forest inn"
And then?"
''Pettlcoats for him."
Sally and I escorted Dud back to
Edencourt, he strapped to his horse
and his hands tied behind. Boldly
we dashed into town at full gallop,
hitched his horse to q post in the
public square and sped away, leav-
ing townsmen and girls to make mer-
ry at his plight.
To this day Dud is hunting for the