The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-04-24
CHAPTER xviii.
THE DEAREsT TREASURED.

THE DEAREST TREASURE.
Somewhere about the time that Prue
was leaving Seven Oaks. Robin Free
mantle. accompanied by two friends and
followed by the faithful Steve, rode
out of the stately gates Of a country
mansion a few miles beyond st. Mary's
Cray.
At a short distance they left the
highroad and plunged into a deep and
narrow lane. showing few signs of use
and leading into others as neglected
We're wide enough the three rode
abreast, with heads ben together in
earnest conference. Papers were n
ed to Robin which he concealed about
his person. and last Instructions re-
iterated, to which he listened atten-
lively, but without enthusiasm.
You think | am sure Of hnding a
boat at Hailing, Percival?" he inquired,
when the others became silent.
we shall avoid Hailing and seek
the ferry a mile or SO above" replied
the younger Of his companions. The
ferry is little used; indeed, / do not
know how there to be one at all.
for the roa is unfrequented and I
know of no habitation but the little inn
where, however, there are always
boats for htre-built possibly by the
%ferrylnan himself. The tide serves about
8 o'clock and with a favorable. wind
we should be below Rochester by moon
rise. No one will be looking for you
on the Midway, captain, and before
morning you will be safely past Sheer
ness and, l hope, on board the Petite
Verge, 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 w to give,
Captain de CIitfe." said the third man,
who, ven in this solitude, kept his
wide brimmed beaver slouched so as
completely to conceal his face. 1T be-
longs to King James, inc should you be
arrested with these documents upon
you, hundreds Of lives, besides your
own. may a for the mischance."
Il do not need to be reminded of
my duty, even by your grace said
Robin proudly.
u know it WE'LL returned the other
pacihcally, ''and when you return with
theseking. in triumph-may it be DOR
His Majesty will know how to re-
ward, you.
Aye, that he WILL muttered Steve.
who was close enough to catch some
of the conversation, in which he was
greatly interested. Virtue is it's own
reward is the motto of the Stuartsi''
The highest reward King James can
offer is to send me back as fast as
horse n 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
nj nraxya 2 ftnN n - ~ ~ Df III IT. IL ~ 6 H. u
My life! When has it not been
forfeit?" returned Robin carelessly,
your grace can be at ease; / have
given my word to carry these letters
safely to Paris and 1 Will do so, God
sparing me-"
Enough | should never have
thought of doubling you, had not mine
W eyes seen you at the masquerade
with a certain fair sorceress whose
spells are far more dangerous than
sword or bullet. Right glad am l that
fate drives o from her before we
lose n of u 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, you only safety lies
in swift flight"
And with malicious laughter, in
which the other man heartily Joined,
he put spurs to his horse and urged
the calvacade 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 upou
which they emerged from the bride
path took a sharp turn at this spot and
passed close to a little ina mere
peasants cottage, for all the announce
ment on the creaking signboards Of en-
farta q ~ YVnnnf far n nr11 CT onS
further information as to the hire and
sale Of boats at the adjacent ferry.
Go forward, Steve, and see what
folks; are about. and IL there be a sea-
worthy boat to be had. while we keeI
within this thicket out OF sight Of
passers-by," said the duke, backing his
horse into the wood, while Steve an6
Percival dismountcd to ~reconnoiter the
premises.
Steve quickly returned alone. 1.-THE
ferry is close at hand he said. '.buI
4 can find neither ferryman nor land
lord. However, there are boats a.
plenty ~ the landing, n IL W. press
one for the kings service. it's no more
than a loyal subject should rejoice t.
fair, the tide is on the turn. / car
hoist a sail and handle an oar, and
twill be strange IL we leave not Sheer
ness in u wake at sunrise"
You are sure there Is no one spying
about2p the duke inquired nervousiy
How X they are merely hiding? sta.
you here, captainl will examine tn,
Inn for myself will not do for yoi
to fall into anNambush. And it woult
be well for Steve to stand sentinel a
the bend of the road: he can war;
us In time of any approaching way
farer, for If / mistake not. the roae
over the waste lands q be plainl,
seen for several miles,.
Left alone. Robin dropped the masl
of careless gaiety under which he hat
hidden his detection from his com
panions. About to leave the land tina
contained Prue, in a mission who's
risks he had often brayed without {
thought exceptaf audacinus delight Il
danger and reckless defiance OF the tlais
from which be was an outcast, he wei
now heset by q thousand apprehen-