The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-04-05

10 ana fro across the square, some
staying to gossip for a few moments
with their neighbors, talking eagerly,
and could not help thinking that
their conversation was of me. Look
ing across the town, | could see a
large portion of the camp, where all
was movement and hustle. armor and
arms glistening in the sun, and the
dull rumble of many voices assembled
TO my ears. Beyond the camp. across
the spur of the lower hills, | could see
the summit of Khrym standing out
white against the blue sky.
The sound of trumpets broke my rev
erie. Into the square marched troop
of warriors with lances sloped and
with rhythmical tread. and in the
midst of them. attended by a dozen
knights. was Princess Daria. She rode
as n man. clothed in light coat of
mail. n low steel helmet upon her head,
from underneath which strayed lock
or two of her hair. Her limbs were
cased in steel. and her horse was in
armor. No wonder her soldiers wor-
SHIPPED her!
"A brave show. Sir Knight"
I had not heard Organ stirring. and
he startled me-
"a warlike young woman" he went
on. THAT cavalcade going along
Whitehall would make London think a
little. Very warlike. but still wom-
an. Don't forget that"
"Am likely TO forget it?''
Caught already. eh? Well the wom-
en- in this country take lot of beat
ing. I'm wondering how my wife in
the capital yonder is getting on. If
ever get back | expect I'll have TO do
some more hacking for her When
don't turn up she'll say. Poor Dennis,
he's dead and then
"Well?" I said as he paused
Then she'll marry some one else"
"Are there no widows. them
"A few old ones. The young are
philosophical. Mike may be a better
man than Pat. but Pat living is worth
any number of dead Mikes"
"Cheer up. O'RyaG." | said. "You
must win her back if necessary"
The center of the square was kept
clear. and here about noon three sets
of double stakes were fixed firmly in
the ground.
Presently a single trumpet sounded.
and as its last note echoed among the
hills a great shout burst into the air,
a shout that woke the hills to voice
again. A silence followed. and l could
hear family slow. mournful. al
though not unmusical, chant coming
from some part OF the building below
us.
"Some religious ceremony" | said.
Organ nodded.
There was the clatter of horses
hoofs. and troop Of knights. headed
by Count Vasca. appeared. looked
among them TO find the princess, but
she was not there. There was a saw
age satisfaction in the counts face as
he glanced up at our windows. We
both drew back.
THAT man will be our greatest enc
my" said Organ. Better that he
should not see us watching"
His looks augur us no good" ! an
swered 1T may be that the priests
have decided against me-"
mo. There is no audience until after
sunset. You heard the command yes
terday."
THE count may know beforehand"
Il don't think the old priests would
make a confdant of him. In their en-
nifty lies our safety"
The doings in the square prevented
me from asking further questions.
A company of soldiers marched out
from the building below us. having In
their midst three men. naked almost,
with their arms bound tightly behind
them. They were followed by priests
walking two and two.
Each prisoner was bound between
two stakes. his arms aud legs out
stretched. Before each man stood a
soldier. drawn sword In his hand,
and behind stood the priests. The ST.
lence was intense; could hear my
own heart beat
Three prisoners! Your followersr'
whispered.
Suddenly | remembered the words OF
| the priest that tomorrow khryn
should be appeased. This was what he
meant Great heavens. IL was too hor
rible!