The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-10-13
The Knight
of the
Silver Star

animals throw their heads up at the
same time and shake their brides
THAT cannot be an echo"
We rode on again and. overtaking
knight. told him to hurry forward
and tell Sir Walen that believed the
enemy were marching with us through
the woods Presently the knight L
had sent forward returned Sir Wa
len had instructed the men to go slow
ly and to keep well together, and he
wanted me to make sure that | had
plenty of men behind me to repulse
any attack which might be made III
the rear Leaving the princess in
Jasar's charge. | rode back and got the
rear portion of the left wing close up.
With an effort | spoke gayly to the
men. and was convinced now that
they were to be trusted. Then | re-
Joined Daria and Jasar.
ut would be well to send forward to
the count and call halt" said. I'VE
are approaching open country, and we
cannot tell what awaits us there"
"Act as you think best" Daria an
swered.
| sent forward to Vasca. The troops
halted Immediately. and a few min
utes afterward vasca himself Joined
us.
"a perilous journey. your highness.
but well accomplished" he said. Aft
er a short halt shall we move for
ward and camp in the open? Our van
guard is now at the edge of the
woods"
1.-The open country may bring us in
sight of the enemy. Sir Vasca," she
said.
"Your highness will remember that
1t was not my wish to advance to-
night l, too. think it probable that
the enemy are before u.s."
'"They have been marching with us
all night, count" | said. Their move
ments were so we'll timed with ours
that they must have been watching
the camp"
"That is unlikely. Still. IL it is so.
we are prepared to meet them. |
trust"
"Quite prepared" answered. True
men have no fear even if numbers are
against them"
l left him with Daria. Jasar keeping
watch upon him. and Joined Walen.
SIS the trap set for us, think your
asked
81 do not know. We may have got
out of it in time"
"At last you believe in the trap,
them"
~ cannot understand such villainy,"
he answered YETI
"Yet you believe it exists?"
"Why, yes, verrall. Unwillingly I
am bound to admit that believe it,"
"Pick me a dozen men," | said. II
am going to ride forward and see what
is In store for u.s."
With my little company went
through the woods. keeping well away
from the main body, but being careful
not to go far enough to fall in with
the enemy. who had kept pace with us
through the night. In the gray dawn
the enemy were taking up their posi-
ton. ready to attack us as soon as we
were in the open.
We went slowly and silently back.
Life has an added charm when death
stands near. The day had dawned,
and, like myself, | doubt not that many
of my companions wondered If they
would see the close of it. Was there
any way of insuring safety even for
some of us? There was one way which
held a prospect of success. had
thought of it before, but had put it
aside as unpracticable and dangerous.
yet now it seemed worthy of consider
alton. Why not make Count Vasca a
prisoner? 1t could be done quickly
and quietly if he were still with the
princess. Should he cry out there were
many ways of silencfng him. 1t SEEM
ed to me that 1t would be small crime
to silence so great scoundrel for
ever 1t was dangerous and would
bring matters to head suddenly
Daria might not agree to this SEEM
ing piece of treachery, so determined
to make him a prisoner first and ex-
plain to her afterward.
put spurs into my horse, but was
too late. Vasca had left.
A messenger was dispatched at once.
Safety seemed to lie in Vascas cap
ture, and here was my opportunity.
drew Walen aside for a moment
HE must not return" | said.
rs that the princess ordert'
mo Make him a prisoner first. ask
her permission afterward. 1t is no
time to be courteous"
ut may be a false move" he said
doubtfully.
POSSIBLY. but it may be salvation"
answered. Players for high stakes.
Sir Walen have to risk much"
But again my plan failed. The count
excused himself from coming. The
enemy was moving in the open. 9e
said. and he could not leave his cob4-
mand.
Are our troops moving?" asked
Daria.
"They were about to do so. your
highness," the messenger answered
go to the count and command him
not to move until he has our instruc-
tons A guard for us, gen lemen
Sir Walen. move the left wing slowly
forward. but not out of the wood
Keep in touch with the main osdy"