The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-04-24
CHAPTER XVIII.

THE DEAREST TREASURE.
Somewhere about the time that Prue
was leaving Seven Oaks, Robin Free
followed by the faithful Steve. rode
out of the stately gates Of q country
mansion a few miles beyond st. Mary's
Cray.
At a short distance they left the
highroad and plunged into q deep and
narrow lane, showing few signs of use
and leading into others as neglected
and man-forsaken. When the lanes
were wide enough the three rode
abreast, with heads bent together In
earnest conference. Papers were hand
ed to Robin which he concealed about
iterated, to which he listened atten-
lively, but without enthusiasm.
You think I am sure Of finding a
boat at Hailing, Percival?" he inquired,
when the others became silent.
We shall avoid Hailing and seek
the younger OF his companions. THE
ferry is little used; indeed, ] do not
know how there comes to be one at all,
for the road is unfrequented and l
know of no hahitation but the little m
where, however, there are always
boats for hire-built possibly by the
ferryman himself. The tide serves about
. o'clock and with a favorable wind
we should be below Rochester by moon
rise. No n will be looking for you
on the Midway, captain, n before
morning you will be safely past Sheer
ness and, I hope, on board the Petite
Vierge, while the spies OF the govern
ment are keeping strict watch for you
between London bridge and Graves
end" =
Il would give 10 years of my life"
said Robin. moody, for one more. day
in England
Your life is not your own to give.
Captain de Cliffe," said the third man,
who, even in this solitude, kept his
wide brimmed beaver slouched so as
completely to conceal his face. 1T be-,
longs to King James. and should you be
arrested with these documents upon
you, hundreds Of lives, besides your
own, may pay for the mischance."
Il do not need to be reminded of
my duty, even by your grace" said
Robin proudly.
Il know it we'll" returned the other
p~acihcally, and when you return with
the king, in triumph-may 1t be soon
His Majesty will know how to re-
ward you"
Aye. hat he WILL" muttered Steve,
who was close enough to catch some
of the conversation, in which he was
greatly interested. Virtue is its own
reward is the motto Of the Stuarts!"
The highest reward King James can
offer Is to send me bach as fast as
horse and ship can carry me-" cried
Robin. Even now"
Even now, captain" Steve broke in,
you are lucky in getting away alive.
Don't forget there is a price upon your
head and the laws protection-save the
mark!-will be withdrawn in a few
hours. After that your life is forfeit
wherever the flag of England flies"
My life! When has 1t not been
forfeit" returned Robin carelessly.
But your grace can be at ease; / have
given my word to carry these letters
safely. to Paris and l will do so, God
sparing me-"
Enough / should never have
thought of doubling you, had not mine
own eyes seen you at the masquerade
with a certain fair sorceress whose
spells are far more dangerous tina
sword or bullet. Right glad am / that
fate drives you from her before we
lose n Of our most valued captains
in the same snare that has entangled
the feet of, all heroes, ancient and
modern. Let us lose no time, for the
love of Heaven; your only safety lies
in swift flight" g.
which the other man heartily Joined,
ne put spurs to his horse and urged
the calyacade to such speed as the
heavy ground would permit.
In spite of their haste, the sun was
sinking behind the mists that rose from
the river, before they saw its simmer
through the trees. The road upon
which they emerged from the bride
path took a sharp turn at this spot and
passed close to a little inn-a mere
peasants cottage, for all the announce
ment on the creaking signboard Of en-
tertainment for man and beast, and
further information as to the hire and
sale Of boats at the adjacent ferry.
Go forward, Steve. m see what
folks are about, and IL there be a sea-
worthy boat to be had, while We keep
within this thicket out OF sight OF
passers by" said the duke, backing his
horse into the wood, while Steve and
Percival dismounted to reconnoiter the
premises.
Steve quickly returned alone. THE
ferry is close at hand" he said, but
I car find neither ferryman nor land
lord. However. there are boats a.
plenty ~ the landing, and II we press
one for the kings service, tits no more
than a loyal subject should rejoice to
contribute to the cause! The wind Is
fair, the tide Is on the turn, I can
hoist a sail and handle an oar, and
twill be strange II we leave not Sheer
ness in our wake at sunrise"
"You are sure there Is no one spying
about?" the duke inquired n~ervously.
nv" IL LlSy dLS ilCASAy hAdlhb oNog
you here, captain--I will examine the
inn for myself-it will not do for you
to fall into an ambush. And it would
be well for Steve to stand sentinel at
the bend of the road; he a warn
us in time Of any approaching way
ifarer, for II / mistake not, the, road
over the waste lands a be plainly
seen for several miles" "
Left alone, Robin dropped the mask
of careless gaiety under which he had
hidden his detection from his COM
panions. About to leave the land that
contained Prue. on a mission whose
risks he had often hraved without a
thought except OF audacious delight In
danger and reckless defiance of the law
from which he was an outcast, he was
now beset by q thousand apprshen-