Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-06-01
The MmighG
of Glh@
Silver Star
A Romance OF
DrwssemOam@
BY PERCY B@EBNER
Copyright. 1907. by r. F. Fenno g.
20
Copyright. 1907. by r. F. Fenno q
Co.

kCAS "Ouiu beNcT nave TeldAeu uutll
they had gripped life out of him, but
It was not to be. Men rushed III to
separate us. I was dragged from my
victim and a few moments later was
lying on my back. my arms bound to
my side.
The count was not dead. but he was
unconscious. They took him up. and
a space was cleared for them to carry
him to some spot where he could be
attended to. And it vas through this
space that l saw the last incident OF
that terrible day-the end OF the fight.
The rising ground was before me. and
Its gallant company of defenders lay
still upon the sides Of it. As l looked
the enemies hands were laid upon the
princess. and only one friend was be-
side h~er-Jasar. Foes surrounded her
and dragged her from her horse. See
ing that all was lost. the priest might
have considered that his life was still
valuable to his mistress. that he might
help her in her captivity. But the
hands were laid roughly upon her, and
that hurt him. His sword came down
upon the nearest Of her enemies. and
for a minute he was dealing out death
around him. They would not have
killed a priest. possibly. but Jasar.
save in raiment. was a priest no long
er. As a warrior there was no quarter
for him, and I saw him fall dead ut
the feet Of the he had loved
and served SO well.
1t was the last thing I saw-the last
episode Of that day-for a blackness
came between my eyes and the blue
sky. and for me the day ended.
When l recovered consciousness we
were within sight Of Yadasara. was
lying upon a rough litter, which four
men carried carefully. and the swing
ing motion was not unpleasant. My
arms were ne longer bound. and the
wound in my shoulder. which throbbed
considerably, had been carefully band
aged up.
I raised my head to look about me.
you're better, Them" said a man.
coming to the side of the litter.
"Yes. It's hot, and I'm thirsty. May
q prisoner drink"
"Why. yes. We've been doing
best to keep you alive since yester-
day"
"Since yesterday! A day and a night
passed."
He nodded.
"You know met"
"You were in my company when you
were in the kings guard"
IT remember. 1t Is almost like being
among friends"
you'll hardly find it so yonder," and
he waved his hand toward the city.
81 suppose not. Tell me. where is
the princess"
"In 'front.'"
"Well-safe?"
'She is well cared for: have no fear
OF that. You are both too precious to
die for the want of a little attention"
"Could l speak to herr"
mo" he answered sharply.
"Not for the sake of old comrade-
ship?"
"No: l cannot do it. l have no III
will toward you. l admire a worthy
foeman. and IL I a do anything for
you yourself l will. but l cannot do
what you ask with regard to the prin-
cess"
"And Count vascay" l asked after a
pause.
much as you are. getting better"
'"That is bad Jews. l had hoped that
the debt was paid"
"You did your best" he returned.
Though we be jailer and prisoner,
we have something in common. at any
rate" l laughed.
"What is that?"
I'VE both regret that 1 did not sue
ceed."
We crossed the river by the bridge
of the citizens had come out to meet
us. for there was much shouting.
My former comrade came to my side
again.
"A conQueror could not command
more interest than you." he said.
THAT is poor consolation"
81 think I would be a great traitor
rather than nothing" he answered.
Il am not ever a great traitor" l
said.
II would not say so IL / were you. II
Is easier to confess and have lone with
1t. Better to die quickly than slowly
In the fortress yonder. If l dared do
1t l would plunge my dagger into you
now, and I should be doing you a kind.
ness"
"You think so, friend, but l had
rather live. l have been in worse
straits than this. l may live to be in
worse again"
You will. and then you may find
death too long in coming"
death and l seem to be old friends;
we have walked SO long together" l
answered.
You are a brave man. but a fool!'
he said.
With helm l walked across tho mol