Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1912-08-02
CHAPTER M fcontinued).

CHAPTER III (continued).
'ThoAe are lucky dogs off duty to-
day" His eye caught mine. Why
don't you go after them, Fortesque?
There will be plenty Of fun afoot
yonder where they land"
Where Is that?"
''At the old fort; follow the crowd,
and you'll not go astray. Have you
a ticket?"
Captain Andre honored me with
one this morning"
Then you are good for the first
row. Don't miss it, man." with enthu-
siasm. Twill be such sight as has
not ,Eeen witnessed since the Field OF
the Cloth of Gold"
"A passage at arms, you mean?
cay! as gorgeous as those of the
old-time knights; a fair conceit as
read the program. I'd be there now
but for the damned orders that hold
me here II you ride hard you can
make the spot before they come
ashore."
There was no reason l should not
go, and much in the glittering prospect
appealed to me. Five minutes later
was trotting out of the wager camp,
pressing passage through the crowds,
already headed southwark, the dra
COON. riding silently at my heels.
Mounted men that day were few, and,
doubtless believing we were connect
ed with the pageant, the jam sullenly
parted, and gave us opening, so we
reached the site of the old fort as the
barges began discharging their oc-
cupants. A glance about, however,
convinced me as to where the lists
were to be run, and headed my horse
In that direction and gained point
of vantage before the throng poured in.
l was somewhat to the right of the
big stand. the FESTIVE heels Of my
horse keeping the crowd away, and
with a clear view as far as the river
bank. 1t was, maybe, 400 yards down
a gentle slope to the waters edge,
where the line was forming. This pas
sageway was lined with onlookers,
held back by numerous guards, while
perhaps $50 yards each way, surround
ed by double rank Of grenadiers, the
bayoaets cleaning on their guns. This
open space was equipped with every
thing needed for the coming tourney,
and on three sides were tiers of raised
seats. | had barely observed all this
when the guns of the Roebuck, echoed
I,rr Nf h. toll -
boom Il salute, and the head of the
column of marchers began slowly
mounting the slope. The costumes
worn were as varied as those of a
masquerade. representing all the
changes since the days of chivalry.
The whole line glowed with color, and
cleaned with steel
Like some great serpent, glittering
in the sun, this procession passed un-
der the triumphal arches and disap-
peared as its members took prescribed
positions on the stands, or in the pa
vilions bordering the field of contest.
AS thus arranged the grouping of col
ors was most brilliant In the front
of each pavilion were seven young la
dies, attired picturesquely in Turkish
costume, wearing in their turbans
those favors with which they meant
to reward the knights contending in
their honor. Behind these, and occu-
plying all the upper seats, were the
maidens representing the two divi-
sions of the days sports-ladies of the
Blended Rose and ladies of the Burn
ing Mountain From the crowd surg
ing around / heard name after name
mentioned. as famous Philadelphia
bellies were pointed out, not few fa-
miiiar to me. Even as l gazed upon
that galaxy of beauty, half angry that
Americans should take part In such
spectacle or British triumph. the field
was cleared for the lists, and a sound
of trumpets came to us from a dis
lance.
Ont into the opening rode the con-
tending knights, attended by esquires
or foot. dressed in ancient habits of
white and red silk, and mounted on
gray horses. From the other direction
appeared their, opponents, in black
aud orange. riding black steeds, while
so the center advanced the herald
loudly proclaiming the challenge.
knew not who they all We're, but they
made gallant show. and overheard
many a name spoken Of soldiers met
10 battie-Lord Cathcart. Captain An
dre. Major Tarlton, Captain Scott. Ay!
and they fought we'll that day, those
White and Black knights ON the mi@ic