Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-05-04

oAAOoA0 naNS wv
wisdom. That power l have. l wish
him power to understand, n not
only the priest, but all you who heal
me. From whence l anne you do not
know. You have a legend which %
look to be fulfilled. and at my coming
you welcomed me. Think you fulfill
ment comes exactly as men expect!
The priests have wisdom, and they
prophesy, but l came n Drussen-
land from a more enlightened country,
where the wisdom of your priests
would be but as the idle prattling OF
a child. This law Of yours that pris-
oners of war shall be slain was
framed when men knew little Of him
they worshiped. This he bids me tell
you-that to kill men as you would
kill your prisoners is murder. In that
the priests prophesy disaster to this
land because that law is broken they
err most ~grievously. I prophesy peace
for this land II you let mercy rule you
rather than vengeance. I fear moth
ing of what you can do to me. Death!
What Is 1t? A moment in time that
sends me to a life of rest. But have
a mission, as every true man has, and
II In living l cannot fulfill 1t 1t shall
be fulfilled In dying. That Ia my an
Swer to your priests. They err from
ignorance. l have been given power
to speak wisdom to them. Let them
beware how they shut their ears to
the voice that speaks the truth.
"Count vasca's accusation is Of a
different kind. l have not yet placed
your princess on the throne In Yada-
sara. have not yet found the treas
ure hidden in this land. But he has
made a graver accusation. not against
me. but against you. What men are
they who hold loyalty so lightly, who
care so little who reigns over them,
who grumble so loudly and who
would so readily march to Yadasara
to figh. against her highness? Who
are they? Speak! In her highness'
name. 1 promise pardon to any man
who confesses to disloyalty. No an
swer? What! Are WI so strangely
divided that in this hall only loyal
subjects find a placer Are all the
murmurers without? Remember, the
count accused you, not l. l have
fought beside some Of you. have
witnessed many Of you do gallahtly
l have more faith in You than the
count has"
And then. turning quickly to thu
princess, l added:
These are honest men, your high
ness, but they feared to contradic
your kinsman."
The rafters rang again. l had be
come an orator to some purpose.
"You see. Count Vasca. you were mis-
taken. Why, when the enemy fe'
across the river the other day were WI
not led to follow them? YOu are II sol
der. You know why. The time wa
not ripe. 1t would have been to cou
defeat. We knew not at what pOin
the city was least defended. Neithe
is the time ripe for the finding of til
: treasure, but it ripens."
! ANY knight could speak so. We eS
!. pect deeds, not words. from Sir Vel
: RAIL-" he answered.
you have forced me to.words. Mar
:, you not"-and l spoke to those in tn
, hall-"mark you not how the tw
things go. together? To set the pril
cess on the throne In YadRsara and I
find a treasure. At the swords poir
! must one be accomplished. Is 1t NJ
the swords point which shall unloc
the hiding place of the other? YOU
treasure lies hidden where only knigh
V ly deeds can win 1t. Your treasure
II v~alueless until h foreigner Is drive
II from the land. Where think you
treasure would most likely lie in Dru
= senland? Where but in the greats
It stronghold the land contains-in Il
o fortress Of Yadasara?"
1t Again the rafters rang. The knigh
d shouted as good knights will shout
X the promise Of conflict. Even Il
le priests forgot to scowl and listened.
Here are swords in plenty. Lead
le to yictory!' So the knights shoute
and l knew that the greatest dang
IN was over.
II will do mOre,' l said. "Three da.
30 hence l will go to Yadasara. l will e
ter the city and spy out it's weakness
> that is. If her highness gives me leave
IT, The counts lip curled.
! "YOu will not return he said.
1T shall, Count yasca. l shall retu
- to lead loyal men to victory"
turned to face the now excit
crowd. l spread out my arms, and
cried to them: -
'Sir knights, loyal men of Drusss
land, have l answered my accusei
Shout your trust in me, or. II there
VI no trust, see here I stand unarm'
re draw your weapons and STAY me-"
III I had played a bold game. 1t b
iS served me well. l had won.
.se
CHAPTER XIV.
ere hAnE DID not move uhtii tne y"
no w cess had risen, which she