Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-05-16


me here. If you ride hard you can
make the spot before they come
ashore"
There was no reason I should not
so, and much in the glittering prospect
appealed to me. Five minutes later
l 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 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 square lawn
perhaps $50 yards each way, surround
ed by double rank Of grenadiers, the
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. had barely observed all this
when the guns of the Roebuck, echoed
by those Of the Vigilant, began to
boom salute, and the head Of the
column Of marchers began slowly
mounting the slope. The costumes
worn were as varied as those Of q
masquerade, representing all the
changes since the days of chivalry.
The whole line glowed with color, and
cleaned with STEEL
Like some great serpent, glitterine
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 plcturesquely in Turkish
costume, wearing in their turbans
those favors with which they meant
to reward the knights contending II
their honor. Behind these, and occu
plying all the upper seats, were tho
maldens representing the two divi
sions Of the days sports--ladies Of tnc
Blended Rose and ladies Of the Burn
ing Mountain. From the crowd surg
ing around l heard name after name
mentioned, as famous Philadelphia
bellies were pointed out, not few ia
miliar TO me. Even az / gazed upon
that galaxy CT beauty, half angry that
Americans should take part in such q
spectacle Of British triumph, the field
was cleared for the lists, and n SOUND
Of trumpets came to US from a dis
lance.
Ont into the opening rode the con
tending knights, attended by e2quiro:
on foot, dressed in ancient habits o.
white and red silk, and mounted OF
gray horses. From the other direction
appeared their opponents, in blacl
and orange, riding black steeds, while
to the center advanced the herald
loudly proclaiming the challenge.
knew not who they all were, but the!
made q gallant show, and overheard
many a name spoken Of soldiers me
in battle--Lord Cathcert, Captain An
DIRE, Major Tarlton, Captain Scott.,Ay
and they fought we'll that day, thcs,
White and BleSk knights on the mimic
Geld. At last the two chiefs-Lor6
Ca;hcart for the Whites, and Captain
Watson of the Guards, for the Blacks
were alone contending furiously
when the marshal of the field rushed
In between, and struck up their weap
3. ons, declaring the contest done, the
honor Of each side proven. AS the
company broke up, flowing forward &c
the great house beyond, the yast
crowd Of onlookers burst through the
guard lines, and, like a mighty torrent
swept over the field. 1t was a wild
jubilant, yelling mass, so dense as t
be irresistible, even those of US OF
horseback being pressed forward
helpless chips Gu the stream.
endeavored to press back, but m!
FESTIVE animal, startled by the dig o
the spur, the yolls, the waving o
arms, refused to face the tumu1t, ant
whirled madly about. For a momen
| all but lost control, yet even as h
plunged rearing into the air, saw be
fore me the appealing face of won
en-, How she CHANGED to be Their
alone, in the path Of that mob,
know not; where her escort had dis
appeared, and how she had becom
separated from her party, has nevo
been made clear. But this saw, eve
as | struggled with the hard-mouthe
brute under me-a slender, girlish III
ure attired as lady of the Blenda
Rose, white, frightened face, arm
outstretchod, and dark blue eyes b,
seochiDg help. Already the front {
, the mob was upon her, unable
swerve aside because of the thousand
pushing behind. In another momer
, size would be underfoot, or hurled int
the air Reckless of all else, du
in my spurs, yelling to the Light DR.
/. coon beside me, even as my hors
leaped. scarcely know what ha,
! pened, or how it was accomplished
only had the reins gripped in N
4, teeth, both my hands free. That i
slant | caught her; the next she WI
. on my arm, swung safely to the saddl