The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-10-30
CHAPTER L
The Fugitive

II CHAPTER l.
II The Fugitive
i TIME night was so dark and the
j road 40 bad, that In spite Of
my desire to move swiftly,
Hare not spur my horse. Many q
il discarded musket and saddle lit
,ersd the path. That the troops
marching this route had beer
iustrians-Konigskegg's devils
new well, and I had no wish tc
all into their hands. The uni
'orm of the Royal Irlandats would
% no passport to their favor.
i And It was plain to see the mood
IN which they marched, for not Q
wing thing had been left behind
Yet, 1t was not those who had
llready passed ! feared, but others
20 follow-Austrian, Hanoverian
)utch-all straining for the same
GAL, the investment Of Tourney
they would come this way; and
soon II would be dawn.
Light was visible in the east
when the road skirted the edge Of
q wood and turned sharply to the
west. Just at the turn. seemingly
i deserted, appeared q hamlet of Q
half-dozen small houses. The one
closest to the road was larger, with
creaking sign in front. Beyond
doubt, and not long since. II had
been an inn. Now, not q figure
moved about the place. nor light
cleaned from the windows. My
horse stood with dropping head
while explored the building and
the howell near by. Apparently the
near approach of the armies had
caused the inhabitants to flee in
i terror.
| tried the doors, finding them
locked, but finally located a win
dow shutter with broken clasp
which assured entrance. | led my
horse to the shack. There was
light enough for me to uncover an
| armful of fodder with which Il
make him content In his new quar-
| tiers.
The leverage of a billet Of wood
served to open the shutter, and
clambered thru the window. The
few dim objects near at hand told
me l was in the taproom.
It was an apartment OF size, con
tanning homemade tables and 6
number of benches. A huge fire
place occupied one end. Beyond, g
door stood ajar, leading into the
kitchen, while ladder led upward
thru trap to the floor above.
Forced by hunger. l rummaged
the pantry, finding black loaf and
a BIT Of cold roast, on which
made a hearty meal, taking stocl
as did so of my surroundings
now more plainly revealed as the
day dawned.
What had driven my host away
so suddenly. and depopulated the
village, I could only surmise. Little
doubt, however, but some threaten
ing inroad of Austrians had causet
panic during the night
Well, l must hide and sleep.
| fastened the window by which
had g9lned entrance and cras-t M
the ladder to the attic. To- i'll
| thatched roof admitted plenty %
air and light. and | saw the body
OF man lying outstretched be
| meath the caves. His clothes Were
worn, but Of good cut, and | tool
him TO have been an upper servan
to some house o. quality. | turned
aim over. finding what I expected
knife thrust In the back.
Five years OF service had lef
ne careless Of death. | had slep
IN battlefields strewn with corpses
'oreetful of all but my own need
Now was in little better stress, sc
I drew a quilt over him, crossed te
the other side, and lay down on G
| pie of clean straw.
Yet, weary as I was, I lay fol-
some time awake, my mind busy
| with events.
All that had occurred to place
me In this predicament passed be
fore me in review. Up to this mo
ment | had had no time fol
thought except to escape. But now
memory returned and I saw agair
the mess-tent, the table strewr
with cards, the faces of the mer
crowding about me; ! heard the
oath and felt the blow; I looked
once more into the hated features
OF d'Enville. and felt the thrill as
our sword blades touched. Ay! II
was good fight, and a fair one
but to kill d'Enville-a captain oil
the staff-meant death. There
would be no mercy from his
friend, Lord Clare. And I had
killed him!
As he lay there on the floor
Balm, Kelly. O'Brien flung them.
selves between, as some started to
seize me. and won me free pass.
age to the door. Dazed as / was
I knew what must be done. Whose
horse I took. Heaven knows, but
there were loaded weapons in the
holsters, and the steed bore me
well.
Twice they stopped me, but had
the word. Twas what OBrien had
whispered In my ear, and, thinking
me an aide to SAKE. I found free
passage.
However fierce the chase, |,
could never come thus far afield
TOR the Austrians were between.
could rest until night. and then
tide on. trusting the darkness.