Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-11-28
OF THE /
S i A r |
BY Percy |
@r@@m@r \

my HELMET Viii a shout the Knights
accepted me as comrade in arms.
This ceremony over, we left the hall.
and in the courtyard horses were be-
ing led by pages. Organ stood beside
mine, and I noticed that he had serv-
iceable sword at his side
"All goes WE'LL" he whispered as
mounted. and look of relief came into
his face when he saw that knew how
| to manage a horse.
Through the gates we went to the
camp. A large body Of soldiers was
drawn up in an open space, evidently
awaiting our coming. and as we ap-
preached Princess Daria came toward
us. Being instructed by one of my
comrades. I dismounted and went to
meet her, and. drawing my sword. I
gave it to her. holding it by the blade
and presenting to her the hilt. She
took it from me and as knelt laid it
! lightly across my left shoulder, saying:
"Rise, Sir Knight. Knight of the Sill
| yer Star. Thrice welcome are you. See
you be n faithful knight
She returned me the sword, and al
though had not been told to do so
I kissed it before I sheathed it. She
smiled, and Count Vasca. who stood
beside her. frowned. What did his
frown signify now? We were both
knights!
1t was day of rejoicing in the town
and in the camp. Much feasting was
there, and in 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 him?" asked.
II know him for a valiant soldier"
was the careful answer:
"And are there many who love him p
1--WE are equally divided, else Vasca
would not rule the feast as he does
tonight" i
The count had risen not too steadily
to propose new toast, when. without
any warning. the doors were thrown
open. and the princess entered. The
knights stood up in surprise. Never
before, so learned. had she honored
such banquet.
She advanced to the head Of the
table. and, calling for a cup Of wine,
held it 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, 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.
'"The princess has made him your
enemy for all time." said Walen.
'"The silver star shall shine through
the red cloud" I said.
"And there are swords in plenty to
help" said one, drawing his weapon
little and sending it home again with
q clash.
Swords in plenty" they said In
chorus.
Quarters overlooking the square
were assigned to mo and my esquire,
Organ. I had sought adventure, and
certainly had found it.
I paid assiduous 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 I'm the
manipulation Of a sword. knew
something Of the art Of fencing. but it
assisted me little in sword exercise a.
understood by my worthy esquire.
The days passed into weeks slowly,
yet not monotonously. I worked hard
In the camp and with Organ perfect
ing myself In the use Of the weapons
Of the Drussenlanders.
I returned from a council one day
more anxious than usual On enter