In the Wars of the Roses: A Story for the Young

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veller who was picking his way along the dark mazes of Epping Forest one cool, fresh October day.

ho are desolating the country and disgracing humanity. Cowards! I wonder how many of them there are? A solitary traveller has not much chance against a gang of them; but at least

th of us before we can think of food or lodging a

t in him, pricked his ears, arched his neck, and appeared to be fully aware of what was required of him by his loved master. He broke into a gentle canter, and d

path he was pursuing led. And here in this clearing he came upon the object of his search, and saw that his surmise as to the cause of the cries he had heard was only too correct. Four big burly men, all armed with the weapons of the day--bills, maces, and even the handgun,

was making the most frantic efforts to escape from their restraining hands, and was uttering strangled cries for help, which were so dead

this while, keeping, however, a very close watch upon the group. "She will soon tire herself out, and then we can carry

se words spoken. Something in the cool arrogance of the man, who appeared to be a

h, and plainly well used to the practice of arms. The youth saw that he must husband his streng

hat moment--the deadly guisarme, that old-fashioned weapon that combined a spear and scythe, and was used with horrible effect in the charges of the day. Then there was the

the tough leather which often defied the thrust of a dagger almost as successfully as mail, it might not prove a defence against the combined attack of a number o

plain that he did not on that account shrink from it. His appearance upon the scene had not been observed by any

It was plain that it was the desire of the leader of the band to possess her as a captive. It was he who was the leading spirit

the leader of the band. The next instant a sharp report rang through the silent forest. The robber chief flung up his hands with a stifled cry and sank down upon the ground; whilst the other m

but one of exquisite temper and workmanship--and dashing through the group, he dealt such a blow with it upon the head

e wheeled about for a second encounter. "Well,

rang out once more. His adversaries had not been slow to avenge the death of their comrade, and their aim was as true as his own. T

deadly guisarme at his side. Sultan could be trusted to carry him straight to the foe without any guidance beyond that of the pressure of knee and foot; and graspi

struggled to his feet, and was plainly endeavouring, though with difficulty, to reach the handgun and reload it. The girl was still encumbered by the heavy cloak which had been knotted about her head

Sultan!"

his own strength impaired by the injury he had received. The lance-like point of the weapon inflicted a deep gash upon the face of one of his adversaries, causing him to yell with rage and

on foot. Disabled as he was, he wheeled about once more, and half maddened by pain and the desperation of his case, rode furiously upon the only

wn each other long, he appeared to divine that his master's case was somewhat desperate, and that he needed an ally in his cause. And thus when the pair bore down upon the robber, who was coolly awaiting the charge, Sultan took law into his own hands, and overthrew the plan both of attack and defence

nly too successful. The traveller was easily pulled away from the saddle, and fell heavily to the ground; whilst the foe uttered a savage exclamation of triumph, and knelt with his knee upon the chest of the fallen m

The man kneeling upon his chest fell suddenly backwards; and the youth, starting to his feet, was confronted by the spectacle of the maiden he had rescued, white and trembl

she asked in a

em if they return not by sundown. Let us to horse and away before any of the gang come. Sultan will carry the pair of us well,

Sultan had attacked, was scarce likely to look again upon the light of day. The leader of the band had fallen again to the earth, and was enveloped in the folds of the heavy cl

m down, and tied the cloak about him, as he had bidden his men bind it about me, By that time you were unhorsed, and I saw that the robber was about to kill you. The gun was lo

f," answered the stranger, as he mounted the docile

s hurts, whilst he was very much in earnest in his desire to get away from this ill-omened spot before others of the band

rough the intricate forest paths pointed out by the girl, who was plainly a native of the neighbourhood, she t

ne at Black Notley. We call them the Black or the White Robbers, to distinguish between them. The White are not so fier

ith them, by what I gathered from their words, at leas

shuddered

robber then; but a proper youth enough; and although I was but a little

d your father

see me alone, and swear that he loved me and would wed me in spite of all. I had liked him when I was but a child, but I grew first to fear and then to hate him; and at last I spoke to Will Ives, the smith's son, of how he troubled me and gave me no peace of my life. And forthwith there was a great stir through the village; and Will Ives set upon him and beat him within an inch of his life, for all he was so proud of his skill and strength. And the good brothers spoke to him seriously of his evil courses, and I know not what besides

came it, pretty maiden, that you chanced to be all al

oam these forest paths unharmed. The wood is thick, and if I hear the sound of horse or man I always slip aside and hide myself. But today, methinks, they must have tracked me and were lying in wait; for the wood was silent as the church till I r

ler was glad enough to think his toilsome journey nearly at an end. Hardy as he was, and well inured to fatigues and hardship of all kinds, he was growing exhausted from his day's travel and his s

"I know not how you are named; but I gather tha

you hear ringing out so sweetly. My father's farm is a mile beyond. But I beseech you ride thither with me. My mother would be ill

ster, and sorry enough has often been my plight. But if rumour speaks true, and the great Earl of Warwick has placed King Henry once again on his throne, then perchance I may retrieve the fallen fortunes of my house. My father and brothers laid down their lives for his cause; his

e country so long. We have called ourselves Yorkists these past years, since King Edward has been reigning; but I trow if what men say is true, and he has fled the country without striking a blow for his crown, and the great earl has placed King He

n was evidently something of a talker, and end

," she said shyly, "for I shall have to

herents. My parents are both dead, and I have long been alone in the world. I have little to call my own save my good horse a

m of light streamed across their path, revealing to a brawny young fellow at the d

llion fashion with a stranger! What, in th

lst deep curses went up from the lips of many of the men as they heard of the last attempt of the Black Robbers upon one of their own village maidens, equal meed of praise and thanks was showered upon Paul, who leaned over his saddlebow in an attitude

way through the little group round the blac

hat this gentleman is weary and wounded, and t

r yourself up to Figeon's. I will conduct the

ourself in my hands, I'll warrant you a sound man again before another moon has run her course. 'Tis a farrier

; and a good stable and a soft bed, and as much fod

smith, and with the guiding hand upon his rein stepped briskly forward up the dark rough lane, through the thick belt of trees on either side. For in the days of which I write the great forest of Epping e

e smith. He even dozed a little in the saddle as the horse picked his way steadily through the darkness, and was only fully roused up again by the sight of lanterns dancing, as it seemed, over the ground, b

wide farm kitchen. Some hot, steaming drink was held to his lips; and when he had drunk, the mist seemed to clear away from his eyes, and he saw that he was the centre of quite a group of simple rustics; whilst

a farmer no less than his ruddy cheeks and horny hands. "Would tha

hou not stab him to

ayfellows. A defenceless girl--my daughter! By good St. Anthony, i

ed her daughter to her breast it was plain she had been deeply moved by the story of her peril. "Re

grip of her husband's hand upon her arm. A quick look

to their beds; for early hours were all the fashion in those days. The farmer's wife beckoned her daughter, and went to prepare for the lodging of

ly as a leech would have done. Indeed, he was the regular doctor for most kinds of hurts, a

icularly disposed for sleep; and when the smith was preparing to depart, he begged him to stay a while longer, and tell him something about the place and about the people he had come amongst. The worthy man was ready enough to

t Henry of Lancaster was again on the throne, placed there by the power of the King Maker, who had dethroned him but a few years back. Glad as Paul was, he yet wished that any other hand had been the one to place t

eeping the crown now he had got it. It seemed as if the love borne by Londoners to Edward of York had extended as far as this remote village: the peop

of than one who appeared a mere puppet in the hands of a designing noble or a strong-willed queen. The sudden desertion of Warwick from his banner had caused a momentary panic in Edward's army, and the king had fled with his followers beyond the sea; but

s cause, and fell asleep with these