The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-04-27

neaTt OK the enemy's camp, with grim,
stern duties to perform and a return
journey to accomplish, kept me nerved
to q point whore I thought Of little
else than my task. But new dared
not remain Indifferent, and, indeed, the
enthusiasm Of my companions became
contagious. and I Joined with them
eagerly. as they hurried forth to the
best point Of view. Once there the
sight revealed aroused me to an en-.
thusiasm scarcely less than that of
those providing about. Few. indeed.
have ever witnessed so gorgeous q
spectacle az that river presented.
Well out in the stream lay tho yes.
sells OF war-the Fanny, Roebuck and
Vigilant-together with Q long line of
Transports. stretching az far az the
eye could see. flags flying, and decks
crowded with spectators. The pageant
came down with the tide, moving in
three divisions to the inspiring music
Of several bands, the oars OF galleys
and barges keeping exact intervals.
AZ they passed US the officers beside
mo named the various occupants. In
the leading galley were Sir William,
Lord Howe. Sir Henry Clinton, the of.
fioers Of their suites and some ladies'.
In the last Of the boats stood General
knyphausen, tho Hessian commander.
Between these were flat-boate, covered
with green cloth. loaded with ladies
and gentlemen. or else containing
bands. Six barges. darting here and
there. kept open space amid the
swarms Of small boats. Everywhere
the eye swept over a riot Of color, and
the ear caught babel Of sound. Az
tho last barge glided by the man next
mo srowled In disgust:
Those are lucky dogs of 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 mo with
one this morning."
Then you are good for the first
row. Don't miss 1t. man." with enthu-
siasm. "Twill be such sight as has
not been witnessed since the Field of
the Cloth Of Gold"
"A passage at arms, you mean2"
"Ay! as gorgeous as those Of the
old-time knights; fair conceit as l
read the program. Id be there now
but for the damned orders that hold
me here. If you ride hard you can
make the spot before they come
ashore"
There was no reason I 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.
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
gentle slope to the waters edge.
where the line was forming. This pas
sageway was lined with onlookers.
held back by numerous guards, while
to my left extended a square lawn.
perhaps $50 yards each way, surround
ed by double rank of grenadiers, tho
bayonets 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. 1 had barely observed all this
when the guns of the Roebuck. echoed
by those Of the Vigilant, began to
boom a 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 it's members took prescribed
positions On the stands. or in the pa.
yilions 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 tho
Blended Rose and ladies' Of the Burn.
Ing Mountain From tha crowd s,r0