Evening star., 1924-04-29
CHAPTER Nv.
Lyme of the King.

On the next day, which was Fri
day, the country folk continued to
come in, and by evening Monmouth's
forces amounted to a thousand foot
and a hundred and fifty horse. The
men were armed as fast as they were
enrolled, and scarce a field or quiet
avenue in the district but resounded
TO the tramp of feet, the rattle Of
weapons. and the sharp orders of the
officers who, by drilling, were con-
verting this raw material into SOL
diers. On the Saturday the rally of
the dukes standard was such that
gloomy forebodings that had bur-
dened his soul since that meeting on
Thursday night. Wade, Holmes,
F'oulkes and Fox were able to set
about forming the first four regi-
ments-the dukes. and the green, the
white and the yellow. Monmouth s
spirits continued to rise. for he had
been joined by now by Legge and
Hooper-the two upon whom BATHS
comb had counted-and by Col.
Joshua Churchill, of whom BATHS
comb had been less certain. Capt.
Matthews brought news that Lord
Wiltshire and the gentlemen of
Hampshire might be expected II they
could force their way through Abe
marle's militia. which was already
closing round Lyme.
Long before evening willing fellows
were being turned away in hundreds
for lack of weapons In spite of Mon
mouths big talk on landing, and OF
the rumor that had gone out, that
he could arm 80 600 men. his stock
of arms was exhausted by a mere
i,50O. TrenChard, who now held a
majors rank in the horse attached
to the dukes own regiment, was
loud in his scorn of this state OF
things: Mr. Wilding was sad, and
his depression again spread to the
duke after q. few words had passed
between them toward evening.
Fletcher was for heroic measures.
He looked only ahead now, like the
good soldier that he was; and, al
ready. he began to suggest a bold
dash for Exeter, for weapons, horses,
and possibly the militia as well, for
they had ample evidence that the men
composing it might easily be induced
to desert to the dukes side.
The suggestion was one that in
stantly received Mr.. Wilding's heart
lest approval. 1t seemed to fill him
suddenly with hope, and he spoke of
il. indeed, as an inspiration which, If
acted upon, might yet save the sit
uation. The duke was undecided as
ever; he was too much troubled
weighing the chances for and against.
and he would decide upon nothing
until he had consulted Grey and the
others. He would summon coun-
ell that night. he promised, and the
matter should be considered.
But that council was never to be
called, for Andrew Fletcher's asso-
citation with the rebellion was draw
ing rapidly to its close, and there
was that to happen in the next few
hours which should counteract all the
encouragement with which the duke
had been fortified that day. Toward
evening little Haywood Dare, the
Taunton goldsmith. who had landed
at Seatown and gone out with the
news of the dukes arrival, rode into
Lyme with forty horses, mounted,
himself upon beautiful charger
which was destined to be the undoing
Of him.
News came. too. that the Dorset
militia We're at Bridport, eight miles
away, whereupon Wilding and F1etch-
er postponed all further suggestion
of the dash for Exeter proposing that
in the meantime night attack
upon Rridport might result well. For
once Lord Grey was in agreement
with them. and so the matter was
decided Fletcher went down to arm
and mount, and all the world knows
the story Of the foolish. Inflated
quarrel which robbed Monmouth of
two of his most valued adherents.
BY i'll luck the Scots eyes lighted
upon the fine horse that Dare had
brought from Ford Abbey. 1t occurred
TO him that nothing could be more
fitting than that the best man should
sit upon the best horse, and he forth
with led the beast from the stables
and was about to mount when Dare
came forth to catch him in the very
act. The goldsmith was a rude, pep
perry fellow, who did not mince his
words.
what plague are you doing with
that horse?' he cried.
Fletcher paused, one foot in the
stirrup, and looked the FELLOW up and
down IT am mounting it," said he
and proceeded to do as he said.
But Dare caught him by the tails
of his coat and brought him back to
earth.
you are making a mistake. Mr.
Fletcher" he cried angrily. THAT
horse is mine"
Fletcher. whose temper was by nc
means of the most peaceful, kept him.