The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-09-22
The Knight
of the
Silver Star

last night. for the same current that
had brought me to land had later
brought my CHASTITY companion. He
lay at my feet at the edge Of the wa
ter. his face upward. his open. sight
less eyes staring at the gray sky.
The thought carried my mind to
that other death-thut death of creak-
ing winches and toothed machinery
and the possibility that occurred to
me made me look AT the man more
closely. His limbs seemed long and
loose. One arm was evidently broken.
Could it be a prisoner who had made
a friend of the executioner and had
died so easily? There was a blue
mark round his neck where a rope had
been. Had not Costa said that the
weight tied to a corpse slipped some
times? This man. too. had escaped
from Yadasara. but by the way only
dead men took.
sprang to my feet. | was a fool
to wait here, so close to that terrible
fortress. 1t was light now. Safety
for me lay only in the woods. My
enemies might know the set of the
currents in the river and seek for my
body in this very spot. | bathed my
arms and legs and then made quickly
for the woods behind.
| 1t was well that | was wise in time,
| for even as l entered the wood | saw
| party of horsemen coming from the
bridge Some went along the river
/ bank, while the others spread in twos
and threes fanlike over the country.
| They did not intend me to escape.
plunged into the wood, keeping from
/ trodden paths, and broke off stout
stick to help me to walk and to serve
/ as a weapon in case of need. 1t would
be a poor defense if l were once seen.
| | came out from thick piece of I'M
dergrowth on to a broad turf path
and then drew quickly back again.
Three soldiers had dismounted not
two dozen yards away and were lying
upon a bank.
From my leafy ambush l saw two
other horsemen turn into the path
mot found yet?' called out one Of
the three I had first seen.
mo, and never will be-" was the
answer, and I recognized Costa. "Pd
give good deal to lay my hands upon
| him. I took a liking to him, and it's
hard to know that one has loved a
traitor"
'sThis traitors a man at least" said
one.
81 shouldn't have taken a liking to
him If he hadn't been. l think he Is
dead"
1--WE ought to have found his body"
1.-THE river has that" was the an
swer.
at didn't keep the prisoner who died
yesterday" said his companion. HE
was lying on the bank, sorry sight
enough"
Presently all five mounted and rode
slowly up the path. and crept through
the underwood again. Perhaps
should have been safer had | stopped
where | was, but inaction was impos-
sible. Besides. hunger and thirst were
prompting me. A few berries might
be found and a stream. must have
wandered far out of my way, for
came suddenly upon a small clearing.
A hut built of stout logs was there,
and before it was an old woman fac
ing half dozen horsemen.
You've searched" she was saying.
'There's not a hole where man could
lie concealed. What have to do with
your fighting?'
You have seen no man pass this
way today
NO. was within. and the door
was shut
MARK you, dame. there is a man
wandering in these woods, and he'll
want food Maybe he'll ask you for
It If you give it this hut will be
without an owner. Were he your son
even you should not escape?'
Maybe not. but I'd chance that and
give him food if''-
The horseman muttered a threaten
ing oath, turned and left the old wo-
man standing at her hut door. AS
soon as they were out of sight she
shook her fist at them. The action
made me wonder if | could trust her.
Within the hut doubtless were food
and drink, and both l sorely needed;
perhaps, too, a corner where l could
rest a little.
She stood at the door for a few mo-
ments and then came to the side of
the hut to pick up bundle of sticks.
1t was risky, but | was almost faint
ing for want of food.
Holding up my hand in warning.
stepped into the clearing. She saw me
and let the sticks fall. but she did not
utter a sound.
They are for the king" whispered.
81 am for the princess. Who is your
son for?"
THE princess"
She beckoned me to follow her, and
entered the hut.
You shall cat first and. if you will,
tell me the tale afterward"
1t was frugal fare she set before me,
such pottage that at other times my
stomach might have turned against.
Int now enjoyable as the dainty feast
of an epicure. and then ! told her Il
garbled version of my story. true
enough in particulars. but wanting in
detail
You're a brave man." she said. MY