The Washington times., 1913-05-11

lank-limbed girl, with reddish, silky
hair and ruddy eyes, who crossed his
path and without influence upon his
fortunes.
For one thing, he had seen more wom-
en- by several, and at a nearer range Of
seen men. For another. he had matters
vastly more important to think upon. in
waking hours or sleeping.
Sixty men he had at his command
according to Francis Pierrepoint's prom
ise. whereof some. the wastrel sons Of
sober families. knew no will but their
own; and some, fierce sectaries, knew
no will but the Lords; and some.
mutinous knayes who had seen service
against the Scots four or five years
since, in the days when the undisci-
plined royalist army now and then rose
up and massacred an officer, knew any
win but their captains.
Upon this choice assemblage fell Won
kerstenbroock. trained to his trade in
as terrible school a. the world had
yet seen-that war of thirty wears that
had changed the face OF Germany to a
blood-soaked cinder.
Mercilessly he put the fear of him.
God, into his troop, to such good pur-
pose that at the end of a fortnight q
scared under-off1cer came flying from
Stoke Claverly, where Won Kersten-
brock was quartered, to Colonel Pierre
point and the main body Of the regiment
at Neither Hamblecome, with the news
that the troop was up in revolt and that
by this hour Captain Castingbroke (God
pity him. , assuredly was murdered.
on posted Pierrepont, with twoscore
trusty riders. He came into Stoke Claw
erly as the birds were atwitter with
dawn, and there. in a blossomy orchard.
found the sullen troop drawn up in or
dered files, and two rhutineers, horsed
upon the shoulders of reluctant COM
rades, about to be strung up among the
apple-blowth.
Master of the tragedy, Won Kersten-
brock sat his horse. in his steady hand
a cooked pistol, and in his sheath the
sword loosed for action.
His face was thin and his mouth
childish-sman. He looked scared to
death, and by now his troop had learn
ed him well enough to know that in such
mood he was more dangerous than the
devil
Thanks to Pierrepoint, the mutineers
got out Of the orchard alive-how, they
probably themselves were somewhat
Won Kerstenbroock told Pierrepoint
respectfully but gioomily that his pres
tige was dashed forever
Pierrepoint told Won Kerstenbroock,
| in some evaporation. that unquestion-
ably he would come by a bullet in the
back so soon as he undertook to lead
his troop into action.
Both prophets proved in error. Not
two weeks later, in the fen-lands of Lin
coin, Won Kerstenbroock's troop received
its baptism Of fire. Thanks to the dis
cipline for which they had hated their
captain, they stood, while troops around
them melted beneath the onslaught Of
the Cavaliers, and when they fell back,
in tolerable order. their captain rode
last, with a wounded man sagging across
his shoulder-one Of the men, II chanced,
whom two weeks before he had pur-
posed to hang.
After that day there was no whisper
Of shooting Captain Castingbroke in
the back. and he had to admit, though
somewhat grudgingly, that he found his
prestige in nOwise impaired.
Thereafter Won Kerstenbroock and
his troop lived at peace with each
other. to the much discomfort of the
enemies Of the parliament.
He was pround of them, once he had
licked them into shape, and they, In
their hearts, were pfound Of him To
neighboring regiments they would brag
Of the number OF mem (erossly exagger-
ated) that '.tIiaf ffttfe- SON OF dog"
as they endearingiy called him. had
killed.
To his further contentment Won Ker-
stenbroock presently acquired a friend.
one Ackworth, a captain under Pierre
point, tail. broad-shouldered athlete.