Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-04-20
THE |
S TIA r |
BY Percy |
Br@bm@r \


1t was a day of rejoicing in the town
and in the camp. Much feasting was
there. and in a great hall the knights
sat down to revelry. The comrade
who had instructed me in the morning
sat beside me, and I soon found that
he hated the counter. as he called
him, Vasca, Knight of the Red Cloud.
Each knight had some such distinctive
title, my comrades being Walen.
Knight of the Black Stone.
"vasca rules the. feast" he said. HE
would like to rule the land"
you do not love himY" / asked.
II know him for a valiant soldier"
was the careful answer.
"And are there many who love him"
1--WE are equally divided, else Vasca
would not rule the feast as he does
tonight"
The count had risen not too steadily
to propose a new toast. when. without
any warning. the doors were thrown
open. and the princess entered. The
knights stood up in surprise. Never
before. so l learned. had she honored
such a banquet.
She advanced to the head of the
table, and, calling for a cup Of wine.
held 1t at arms length.
"Your princess gives you a toast:
To the Knight of the Silver Star"
Every cup was drained, and the prin-
cess left the hall. The count resumed
his seat, a black scowl upon his face,
and the feast was ended. The two
parties were more distinct than ever
for, while some of the knights left the
hall with me, others gathered round
vasca, looking as angry as he did.
1.-THE princess has made him your
enemy for all time" said Walen.
1.-THE silver star shall shine through
the red cloud" l said.
"And there are swords in plenty to
help" said one. drawing his weapon a
little and sending it home again with
a clash.
Swords in plenty" they said in
chorus.
Quarters overlooking the square
were assigned to me and my esquire,
Organ. l had sought adventure. and
certainly l had found it.
l paid a%ssiduous attention to my
military duties in the camp, looked
sharply after the men who were my
especial charge and In my leisure
hours took lessons from Organ in the
manipulation Of a sword. l knew
something of the art of fencing, but 1t
assisted me little in sword exercise as
understood by my worthy esquire.
The days passed into weeks slowly,
yet not ~monotonously. l worked hard
in the camp and with Organ perfect
ing myself in the use Of the weapons
Of the Drussenlanders.
returned from a council one day
more anxious than usual. On enter
ing my apartments l found Organ
waiting for me impatiently.
you look depressed. You have
heard the newsY"
what newsT' l asked.
THAT a tournament is to be held in
your honor."
mo. l have heard nothing of it."
ITS bad news, Verrall; the first
conspiracy against you." said Organ.
"They are going to put you to the test
too o for my liking"
Tell me all about it," l said.
"They were full of it in the court
yard this morning." Organ answered.
Faith, you were not wanting in sup
porters, l admit, and l had to buster
with the best of them to keep up ap-
~pearances, but it was a heavy heart I
had, Verrall. Vasca Is at the bottom
Of 1t. He will challenge you and
makes no secret of his opinion that
you are an impostor and that you will
go down before his skill like a dead
hrnnoh lonnod of hu kho rAo.uI1