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

before the Yorkist veterans had they been skilfully generalled will never now be known; but the fiery and impetuous Duke of Somerset, whose ill-judged ardo

en for a charge upon the opposing army. Here they were not only confronted by Edward's compact army, but were taken in the flank and rear by a company o

on the part of the fiery young duke. As he and his flying soldiers fell back upon the town of Tewkesbury, and reached the

f sides was always suspected, and too often with good cause, between men who had been friends and allies heretofore. The Duke of Somerset at once concluded that Lord Wenlock

s of "Treason, treason!" they threw down their arms and fled they knew not whither, and th

of the fortunes of the day than with the individual adventures of certain persons concerned, who, if isolated acts of

s to keep beside the prince throughout the course of the battle, and shield him from harm even at the cost of his own life. Some strange foreboding had fallen upon Paul, and he scarce expected to see the light of another day; but this pres

show our loyal people, whatever be the fortunes of the field, that Englishmen can strike hard blows, and that they never turn their backs upon the foe.

eapons, and sat very silent

f the Yorkist army, which kept its position, and awaited their coming with cool intrepidity. Paul had not time to think or reason, or he would surely have wondered at the rashness of quitting an advantageous position, and putting themselves to such disadvantage before the foe. All

o were eagerly pressing forward toward the foe. Cries and shouts rent the air, mingled sometimes with the shriek or groan which told that a well-directed blow had gone home to its mark. The press became denser, and then less dense; some riderles

ill strike a blow for my father's liberty

om the charge. He knew not whether the person of the prince was known, and whether young Edward ran any especial danger in thus flinging himself upon the enemy. But it was no longer his place to think--the moment for action had arrived; and

es!" smote down the rival warriors with a fury which for the moment nothing could withstand. There is surely something magnetic in a

estruction. The wing of the army upon which they charged was wavering and disorganized; the infantry recoile

red to recoil before it. Onward and ever onward pressed the eager little band, until it was entirely separated from the main body of the army; and so certain were all who took part in that isolated skirmish that the fortunes of the day were with the House of Lancaster, th

xchanged, and the prince, flushed with the foretaste (as it seemed

for all the world. But you bleed--you are wounded. Tell me where. I knew n

And think you not, my liege, that it were well to return to the lines ourselves? I promised your royal mother and the Lady Anne that you s

e, Paul--see how they fly on yonder height! See how the battle rages and becomes a flight! It is the same everywhere. The Red Rose tri

from childhood to the exercise of hunting and hawking. The prince saw only the flying rout, which he concluded to be the soldiers of York; but Paul could distinguish more. He could see the col

ye, and he at once divined the cause, The bright flush faded from

e town, and it was easy to understand that had it been the Yorkists who had fle

e peril of their own position, and the deadly danger that menaced the prince if the situation should be r

is hand upon the sho

lly them yet. All may not be lost, but it were madness to remain here. Let me call our follower

em to speak of a forlorn hope. He saw their peril as clearly as Paul; but if the day were lost, what mattered it if his life wer

emoralization which so often accompanies and aggravates defeat seized upon the men. They flung away their heavier arms, and with a shout of "Trea

retain the services of some men-at-arms of his own. These faithful fellows, who had learned to love their young master, sat doggedly in their saddles, prepared to sell their lives dear, and to carry off if possible their master and the prince living from

weapons anew. "Down with the Red Rose! Down with all false princes! Down with

ul looked at the prince. The same

ty comrade, your loyalty to the Red Rose has been but a sorry thing for you. I w

ving your life," said Paul. "Talk not so, I beseech you. The happiness of my life has b

that I may be slain: If such be so, tell my mother and my wife (for she is that to me, as I am her husband in love) that I died as a prince of the House of Plantagenet should do--sword in hand and face to the foe. Tell my mother that such a death is better than an inglorious life of exile, and bid her not weep

hreatening cries the foe was closing round the devoted little band, and from the other side of the field he could see t

object of himself and his servants. Placing the reluctant prince in the midst, so as if possible to save at least him from steel or lead, the gallant little band with axes and pikes commenced hewing its way through the living wall which surrounded it. And so gallantly did the good steeds resp

fury of his hot young blood, dashed forward alone, and fell upon the foremost with so fierce a blow that his axe was wedged in the head-piece of his opponent, so that he was unable to draw it out. The

fusion and distress he was yet aware of some terrible danger menacing the prince--danger from which he had sworn to save him at the risk of his own life. He struggled fiercely and blindly with the foes who seemed to be above and about him, knocking the wind from his body, and holding his throat in an iron

he flight of time; but when he did so it was to meet the solicitous glance of a pair of friendly eyes, and to feel himself supported by strong arms

arm of one of his own stout servants; and no one else save a few wounded men or dead corpses was near. In a flash it all

harpened by physical and mental an

prince. He was to be taken prisoner and brought to the king--so he called him; and he had given out by proclamation that whoever brought to him the prince, alive or dead, should have a hundred pounds a year; and that the lif

fe is safe; and doubtless his noble aspect wi

Let me catch some riderless steed and carry you to the town. Methinks the leaders

vehement command; and he leaned heavily upon his

nt brought up a horse and helped his master to mount, Paul felt that giddy and weak and suffering as he was, he could yet make shift to ride as far as it would be needful to do. The royal pennon floating over a certain tent not so very far away told him that his goal might yet be reached before his s

s once mounted; "I am going to follow the prince. But come no

of remonstrance, Paul had set spurs to his horse and

about him to show to which army he belonged. Soldiers were leaning on their swords and eagerly discussing the fortunes of the day; and round and about Edward's royal tent a dense crowd had gathered, out of curio

l hands that the life of the prince would be safe; but whether he would share his father's

glad that no one heeded him or challe

self confronted by a delicate page boy, whose white face and dilated eyes seemed to bespeak the extreme of emotion and distress. Before he had time to speak or to ask a question, the page addressed him; and as soon as the voice smote upon his ears Paul started

er lips in token of silence. Paul choked back the words t

e. I heard all. I heard he was prisoner--that he was to be brought before Edward of York. Paul, I knew that you would be near him. I knew, if living, I should fin

ressive dream. Little by little he and his companion made their way through the throng until they reached the line of armed sentries

is side and share his fate, whatever it may be. Let me and this lad, I pray y

ys stirs the generous feelings of brave men. It may, however, be doubted whether the pair would have gained their wish had it not been for the fact that at this moment Edward him

faced page, under whose boyish dress a faithful woman's heart was beating. The disguised maiden sprang forward and sa

ooked round for one who might save her when he himself might be powerless to do so. It was at that moment--as the crowd stood speechless, touched and perplexed by the little

instantly crossed

, whatever befalls me, take care of him." Low as the words were spoken, the prince dared not use the

the royal presence--Sir Richard being a man of kindly nature, and having been touched by the devotion evinced by these two youths (as he supposed t

dly possessed a finer man than its present king, who was taller by the head than almost any of those who stood round him, his dress of mail adding to the dignity of his

Paul stood in the background, longing to be beside his prince, but obliged to

g one pace nearer and regarding the noble lad with haughty displeasure. "How dost th

but unhesitating answer of the kingly youth, who, fettered and prisone

h his iron gauntlet. In a moment a dozen swords flashed from their scabbards. It seemed as if the bloodthirsty nobles awaited

n his arms. At the king's blow the page had uttered a faint cry; and as the first of those murderous weapons were plunged in the breast of her y

oud voice proclaimed the fact that the prince had ceased to live, a wild fury fell upon Paul, and he started to his feet to revenge that

clinging clasp of Anne's unconscious arms, there came to him the memory of those last words spoken by his beloved prince. The young bride must be his f

nt. The deed now done sent a thrill of horror through the camp, and men look

stood by his master to the last. Room was made for them to pass through the crowd; and staggering blindly along, Paul r

red as Paul mounted mechanically, holding

e walls of the church he should find the wretched Margaret, w

door of the little church, where stood a priest with the Host in his hand, ready, if

animate form he carried in his arms, and he made

n, bowed down by the magnitude of her woe, for she had

ke to her, and she turned, r

d, "Paul--tell

at her wit

was his last charge. Now I am going back.

ain steps, and then fell down helplessly. He had fulfilled his life's purpose in