The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-04


 round dozen jack-booted, lobster coated troopers of the Tangiers regi ment, led by sturdy, black-brownet fellow with a deal of gold lace abou the breast of his coat. The captain stamped forward to the day-bed, ant scowled down upon the grey-faced sui ferer.
 "A damned rebel, and that's enough for me. Out with him, my lads."
 MT. Blood got between the day -bet and the troopers.
 Tn the name of humanity, sir !" sait he, on a note of anger. This is Eng land, not Tangiers. The gentleman i. in sore case. He may not be moved without peril to his life"
 Captain Hobart was amused.
 Do you think it's to benefit hi: health we're taking him? There's gal lows being planted along the road from Weston to Bridgewater, and he'll serv, for one of them as well as another Colonel Kirke'll learn these non-com forming oafs something they'll not for get in generations"
 You're hanging men without trial Faith, then, it's mistaken am We're in Tangiers, after all, it seems where your regiment belongs"
 The captain considered him with 6 kindling eye and soldier recognized sol dier.
 Who the hell may you be-" he ex ploded
 My name is Blood, sir-Peter Blood at your service"
 "Aye-aye! Godso! That's the name. You were in French service once, were you not? Five years ago or more, you were in Tangiers."
 This is so. knew your colonel"
 Faith, you may be renewing the acquaintance" The captain laughed unpleasantly. What brings you here, sir?"
 This wounded gentleman. I was fetched to attend him. l am a medi- cus."
 "A doctor-youT Scorn of that lie as he conceived it-rang in the heavy hectoring voice. MT. Blood's smile an noyed him. (
 T am physician practicing my call ing in the town of Bridgewater."
 Which you reached by way of Lyme | Regis in the following of our bastard duke"
 It was Mir. Blood's turn to sheer If your wit were as big as your voice my dear, it's the great man you'd bt by this. Yell be remembering, cap tain, that Lord Gildoy will have friends and relatives on the Tory side, who'll have something to say to Colonel Kirkt if his lordship should be handled lik, common felon. You'll go warily, cap tain, or, as I've said, it's a halter fol your neck yell be wearing this morn ing"
 Captain Hobart swept the warming aside with a buster of contempt, but he acted upon it none the less. "Taks up the day-bed," said he, "and convey him in the gaol until l take orders about him."
 As his lordship was carried out the captain became brisk. Mir. Blood saw no profit to himself in lingering. By your leave, it's very good day I'll be wishing you,'' said he.
 By my leave you'll remain a while, ' the captain ordered him. Mir. Blood shrugged and sat down.
 The captain opened the press took the huddled inmate by the collar of hs doublet, and lugged him out into the open.
 And who the devils this?" quoth he. Another nobleman?'
 MT. Blood had vision of those gal. lows of which Captain Hobart had spO ken: On the spot he invented not only title, but whole family for the young rebel.
 Faith, we've said it, captain. This is Fiscount Pitt, first cousin to Sil Thomas Vernon, who's married to that slut Moll Kirke, sister to your Owr colonel, and some time lady in waiting upon ing James queen.'
 Both the captain and his prisoner gasped. But whereas thereafter young Pitt discreetly held his peace, the cap tain rapped out q nasty oath.
 Fetch him along to Bridgewatcr And make fast that fellow also," ht pointed to Baynes. We'll show hin what it means to harbor and comfort rebels. And take this fellow with you.' He pointed to Mir. Blood. Faith il will suit me very we'll" said he. "FoI Bridgewater is my destination"
 Your destination there will be the gaol."
 "Ah, bah Ye're surely joking!"
 There's a gallows for you if you prefer it. It's merely a question o now or later"
 Rude hands seized Mir. Blood. Pin ming him to the ground, they tied his wrists behind his back, then roughly pulled him to his feet again. The sol diers trailed out by the door leading tC the interior. MT. Blood was thrust by his guards into the court yard, where Pitt and Baynes already waited. There were sounds of rending timbers, tn, shouts and laughter of brutal men finally above all other sounds came tho piercing screams of a woman in acutest agony
 HNo......,u.-A