The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-01-30
CHAPTER ~ fcon,Inueal.

SHAP IER ki (~Continucd).
Those are lucky dogs of duty TO
day" his eve caught mine. "Why
don't you go after them, Fortesque.
There win be plenty OF fun afoo.
yonder where they land"
4 Where is that?"
\ AT the old fort: follow the crowd
and you'll not &c astray. Have you
O. ticket?"
Captain Andre honored me with
n THIS morning"
Then you are good for the first
row. Don't miss ii. man." with enthu.
siasm. Twill be such a sight as has
not been witnessed since the Field OF
the Cloth Of Gold
"A passage at arms, you mean?"
"Ay! as gorgeous as those OF the
old-time knights; a fair conceit as I
read the prograiA. I'd he there now
but for the dam4ed orders that hold
ne here. II yoI ride hard you can
make the spot before they come
ashore"
There was NJ reason I should not
go. and much In the glltterlng prospect
appealed to me. Five minutes later
I was trotting out OF the Wager camp,
pressing pass6ge through the crowds,
already headed southwark, the dra-
COON riding silently at my heels.
Mounted mel. that day We're few, and,
doubtless believing we were connect.
ed with the pageant, the jam s~ullenly
parted, and gave us opening, so we
reached tbs 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 a 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
a gentle slope to the waters edge,
where the line was forming. This pas
seageway was lined with onlookers,
held back by numerous guards, while
10 my left extended a square lawn,
perhaps $50 yards each way. surround
ed by q 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
leeats. had barely observed all his
when the guns OF the Roebuck. echoed
by those Of the vigilant. began to
boom a salute. and the head of the
column Of marehers began slowly
mounting the slope. The costumes
worn were as varied as those of a
masquerade. representing all the
changes sinee=t 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 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 picturesquely in Turkish
costume, wearing In their turbans
fhose favors with which they meant
NO reward the knights %contending In
their honor. Behind these. and occu. |
Dytng all the upper seats, were the
maidens representing the two diyi. !
sions Of the days sports-ladies of the
blended Rose and ladies OF the Burn.
fng Mountain. From the crowd surg.
ina around / heard name after name
mentioned, as famous PHILADELPHIA
bellies were pointed out. not a few IA.
miliar to me. Even as gazed upon
that galaxy OF beauty. half angry hat
Americans should take part In such a
ypectacle OF British triumph, the field
cleared for the lists, and a sound
Of trumpets came to us from a dis.
lance.
Ont into the opening rode the con-
lending knights. attended by esquires
pn foot, dressed in ancient habits of
Rhite and red silk, and mounted or
ITay horses. From the other direction
aopeared tteir opponents, in black
md orange. riding black steeds. while
. the center advanced the herald
buddy pfocIafming the challenge.
new not who they arr were, but thew r
lade . gallant show. and I overheard
laux = name spoken OF soldiers met
baffle-Lord Cathcart. Captain An.
-. Major Tarlton. Captain Scott Ayi e
"a they fought well that day. those
- enf azAak kzz<hA on re mink u