Evening journal., 1923-01-01
CHAPTER 1
The Messcnger

OF Bridgewater.
Mr.. Blood's attention was divided
between his task and the stream OF
humanity in the narrow street be-
low, pouring for the second time
that day in the direction of Castle
Field, where earlier in the afternoon
Ferguson, the Dukes chaplain, had
preached a sermon that contained
more treason than divinity.
Bridgewater. like Taunton, had
yielded generously OF its manhood
to the service OF the Duke.
Peter Blood had read the absurd
proclamation posted at the Cross at
Bridgewater-as it had been posted
also at Taunton and elsewhere-set-
ting forth that upon the decease Of
our Sovereign Lord Charles the
Second the right Of succession TO the
Crown Of England. Scotland, France
and ireland. with the dominions and
territories thereunto belonging, did
legally descend and devolvs upon
the most illustrious and high-born
Prince James Duke Of Monmouth.
son and heir apparent to the said
King Charles the Second"
Mr.. Blood knocked the ashes from
his pipe. closed the window and
drew the curtains.
He was the son OF an Irish medi-
Gus. by a Somersetshire lady in
whose veins ran the rover blood OF
the Frobishers, which may account
for a certain wildness that had early
manifested itself in his disposition.
A set of curious chances led him to
take service with the Dutch, then
at war with France; and predilec-
ton for the sea made him elect that
this service should be upon that ole
ment. He had the advantage OF
commission under the famous de
Ruyter, and fought in the Mediter-
ranean engagement in which that
great Dutch admiral lost his life.
In January, 1885, he had come to
Bridgewater, possessor OF a fortune
that was approximately the same as
that with which he had originally
set out from Dublin eleven years
ago.
That is all his story or so much
OF Il as matters up TO that night,
six months later. when the battle OF
Sedgemoor was fought.
The armies came into collision in
the neighborhood OF two o'clock in
the morning Mr.. Blood slept un-
disturbed through the distant boom
of cannon. Not until four o'clock,
when the sun was rising to dispel
the last wisps OF mist over that
stricken field OF battle. was he awal- ,
ened from his tranquil slumbers.
There in sianting golden light Of
the new-risen sun stood a breath
less. wild eyed man and staining
horse.
In that moment Mr.. Blood recog- |
nized him for the young shipmaster. |
Jeremiah Pitt. who had been drawn
by the general enthusiasm into the |
vortex OF that rebellion.
TT was Lord Kildoy." he painted |
"He Is sore wounded at Ogle- |
thorp's Farm by the river. l bo~e
him thither . and and T.
ne sent me for you. Make haSte. in
Gods name"
Mr. Blood went Off TO dress and TO
fetch a case of instruments.
CHAPTER II
KirlSe's Dragons
oglethorpe's farm stood a mile or
so to the south OF Bridgewater on
the right bank of the river.
In the spacious, stonefagged hall,
the doctor found Lord GIldoy. His
cheeks were leaden-hued. his eyes
closed. and from his blue lips came
with each labored breath faint
noise.
Mr. Blood stood for a moment
silently considering his patient. Then
he called for water and llnen and
what else he needed for his work.
He was still intent upon It a half
hour later when the dragons in
vaded the homestead The clatter OF
hooves and hoarse shouts that
heralded their approach distu bed
him not at all But his lordship,
who had now recovered conscious
ness. showed considerable alarm,
and the battle-stained Jeremy Pitt
sped 10 cover in a clothes-press.
was uneasy.
And then they came rafting and
,ianking into the stone-fagged hall
"a round dozen jack-booted, lobster
coated troopers Of the Tangiers
Regiment, led by a sturdy, black
proved fellow with a deal OF gold
ace about the breast Of mis- coat.
81 am Captain Hobart, of Colonel
dragons. What rebels do
rou harbor?"
The yeoman took alarm at that
-erocious turbulence. It expressed
tself in his trembling voice.
Il +. am no harborer of
-ebels. sir This wounded gentle
nan :"
II can see for myself" The Cap
ain stamped forward to the day
,ed, and scowled down upon the
,ray-faced sufferer.
Out with him. my lads"
Mr.. Blood got between the day
,ed and the troopers.
In the name of humanity, siri' 8
aid he. on a note of anger. This is
England. not Tangiers. The gentle
nan IS in sore case. He may not .
,e moved without peril to his life" I
Captain Hobart was amused.
who the hell may you be2" he {
EXPLODED.
MY name is Blood sir-Peter
Blood. at your service"
"What brings you here. sir?"
This wounded gentleman. was
etched to attend him. l am ply
iician praeticing my calling in the
own Of Bridgewater."
The Captain sneered. which you
cached by way of Lyme Regis in
he following OF your bastard Duke.
1t was Mr.. Blood's turn TO sneer.
sIf vour VIII were as big as your