THE FIGHT AT THE FORD, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.

Waikato Times, Volume 2620, Issue XXXII, 27 April 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE FIGHT AT THE FORD, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.

A Children's Story. By THE Ab'TILUK OK " fjUNCHSS BON.NIIi-BKM-K." Contributed for the juvenile readers of The Waikato Timijs, In an old castle lived a knight and his wife and two buys, and oue little girl named Kathleen, AH round the castle was a deep ditch called a moat, always kept full of water. To reach the castle you had to cross the moat by a drawbridge. Sometimes the children were allowed to play 011 the slope of the hill by the side of which the strong castle was built. Away off, on another hill which they could just see in tho distance, stood anothor great castle, where lived a cross old man and his wife and bhreo sons. Their name was de Lancy, and whenever they could they throw stones at the boys and the little girl, whose name was La Monto, and tried all possible ways of annoyiug them. Between the two castles was a large stream, and here very often the two La Monte boys met the three de Lancy boys and they went in for a stand-up fight. The La Montes, Charlie and Henry, always got the worst of it, for they wero two, and there were three of the enemy, Sim, Phil and Bob. One day though, only Phil and Bob came down to the ford, and Charlie and Henry at once went for them. They first threw stones at each other, and then they all rushed into the water and began a regular battle. At last Bob was knocked down by Henry and lay in the water half drowned. Phil had to stop fightiug with Charlie to rescue his brother, who would have died if he had lain there much longer. Then the two La Monte boys cried out that they had won that time, and went home to dinner perfectly satisfied with themselves. But the next morning they found a big notice stuck on their drawbridge gate— You cowards ! I'll pay you out for this ! Sam l>r Lancy." Unfortunately their father was away fi<rhtiu<r in another part of the country, and tho boys were a little afraid of what the wicked de Lancys might do whilst he was away. All that day they kept pretty close to the castle, and did not venture near the ford.

That evening, sis it was getting 1 dark, a man rushed into tho great hall, where Lady La Monte aud Kathleen, with the two bnys, were sitting. "Oh! madam," he cried, "there's a great host of men crossing the ford, and they're flying the de L'uicy flag. I fear they are going to attack us." Poor Lady La Monto turned very white indeed, and her two boys jumped up and exoluimed, " The mean hounds', when they know our father is away. Mother, wo must fight for yon." Aud the beautiful lady stood up too, and said, " Yes, we must fight. Take up the drawbridge, and tell all the men to assemble in the court-yard Stay, run up the flag which shows your lord is at home ; perchance the.y may not attack us, if they think he has returned." " Small fear of that, I think, ;ny lady, shall I blow the bugle ?" " Ay, do," said the lady. " Come, boys to the court yard," aud out they went. In a few minutes there were assembled all the ineu in the castle, and as lady La Monte looked at them, her heart sank, there were so few, only five fighting men, the cook and a youth who did odd jobs. However, she was not going to let them know she was frightened. So she said, "Now, my brave fellows, the castle is in your keeping ! Don't let your lord come home and find us all taken prisoners, and in the hands of those wicked and cruel men who are coming up the hill yonder?' And she ordered thein all to thi'ir posts, and she and the women servants, and the two boys rushed about, putting up the heavy iron shutters, and fastening all the doors. Then they stood ready to hand cartridges or arrows to the men who were going to fight for them. Little Kathleen kept tight hold cf her mother's gowu. "Oh, mamma, clear," she said, " will they kill us if they get into the castle." "I don't know,darling !" said the poor lady. " But Kathleen, they shall kill me before they touch you. Just theu a great shout was heard outside, and a man's voice saying, "Yield! In tho name of de Lancy, I demand you give up those wicked boys who nearly killed young Master Robert de Lancy at the ford yesterday." Then all the men in the castle raised a great shout too : Never ! Never ! we will defend our young masters at the cost of our lives, if needs be. La Monte for ever."

In answer to that there came a great: rattling and shaking and thumping at the huge drawbridge gate, and as the men in the castio peeped cautiously out, they saw their enemies had fixed a great pole against the gate, and sverc trying to force it down that way.

" Let them have it as hot as you can," cried the old man named Buskin, who had been left in charge of the castle, and at ouceall the men fired at the attackers. Tliero was a yell from the do Lancy men, an:l they (ited a volley back, which, unfortunately, wounded poor old Buskin. Lady La Monte carried him, with her feniale attendants, into an inner room, and did what they could to stop the flow of blood from his wound. But whilst they were doing this they heard the outer gate go down with a terrriblc crash, and the men forced down the drawbridge and swarmed into the court yard. All this time the filing went on continuously, but the followers of Sir Rudolph La Monte were far too few, and too unprepared to offer anything like a proucr resistance to the soldiers of Captain do Lancy. Bravely, the poor men in the castle fought the cruel men attacking' them. Thoy gathered into the sroat hall to defend that, if possible, and when at lust the outer 'door was forced npon, and the wild yelling' soldiers rushed in, the two brave boys Charlie and. Henry L.i Monte, stood on the stairs with tho three men that were loft, to try and prevent thoir mother and sister being taken prisoners. But it was no uso at all, they wore soon over-powered, and poor Lady La Monte and her little daughter, tho two boys and the men were in tho hands of their enemies. They at onno tied their piisoncr's hands together, and put them into a cart and drove off with them to their castle. Poor little Kathleen was sobbing as if her heart would break, and hor poor mother tried hard to comfort hor. The two boys sat bolt upright, trying to look manly and fierce, but all tho timo they felt as if thev must break down too, and join little Kathleen in her frightened sobs. At length they reached the De Lancy Castle, and thoy wero all

taken into the groat hall, and Mrs de Lancy herself, a rough-looking woman, came forward to speak to them "So now!" she said, "you thought yourself always too fine to be neighbourly, and come and see me in a friendly way, and now they've had to carry you here have hey ? Ha, lia!" and the horrid woman laughed scornfully. " And you, my young mal-a-perts, you tried to drown one of my boys, did yon? We'll see to-morrow how you like being drowned, and your mother can stand by the side of our lake and watch you struggle and struggle until you have 110 strength to struggle any more." "Peace woman," said her husband, "and get us all some supper ; we are pretty nearly starving " Soon a bountiful meal was spread on the table, and the captain invited Lady La Monte to sit down near hiin. The rest found a seat as best they could. There were so few of the La Monte party, and the castle of the de Lancy's was so well fortified and guarded, that for the evening little or no restraint was put on the prisoners, but when bed-time came they were taken to a strong room ou the opposite side of the castle, and locked in for the night. A mattress was provided for Lady La Monte and Kathleen ; the boys had to sleep on the bare floor ; where the men wero put they did not know. As tho key was turned in the look on the outside, and they heard Captain de Lancy's footsteps dying away along the stone passage, poor Lady La Monte burst into tears. "Oh my darlings !" she cried, "whatever will becomu of us, and what will your dear father think when he comes home, and fiuds the castle deserted, and no trace of us anywhere !" " No trace of us, mother !" said Charlie, " why I got a piece of chalk and wrote as large as I could 011 the lloor, " Look in de Lancy's castle for us." No one saw me, they were so busy carrying away all they could get!" "Good boy!" said his mother, " but I fear your father may not return home for two or three days yet!" " And if he does come back to-morrow," said Henry, " How can he get us out of this castle ? it 3 such a dreadfully strong one !" "Oh !" cried little Kathleen, "If father only knows where we are, he'll find some way of getting us out, won't he mother !" " Indeed he will," she answered, "we must just wait and hope." And now, you must all try and go to sleep, so that we may be strong enough to bear whatever may happen to-morrow. Good-nighc my dear ones !" The three children kissed their mother, and soon fell asleep after the exciting time they had had that day. Lady La Monte could net sleep. Of course, she did not really believe they would venture to drown either of her boys, but that Madame de Lancy was a cruel woman, she knew only too well, and quite capable of enjoying the chance of giving them all a siood fright by putting the boys into tho water, and letting them try to swim to land. And if they were kept close prisoners in the house, their health would soon suffer, they were so used to an open air life. And it would be so terrible having nothing to do all day long! With all these sad thoughts, no wonder the poor lady could not sleep, and she was very thankful when at last a faint streak of light came into the room from the tiny hole they called a window.

To her surprise and pleasure, they were allowed to come out and breakfast with the de Lancy family, though they were sent back directly meal was over to their own room. After dinner, as they were going back to thsir prison Charlie felt his sleeve pulled, and some oue whispered, "Keep up a brave heart, and look out tonight, I am going to let you out!" Charlie, had sense enough to take 110 notice beyond a nod, and walked quietly away after the others. As soon as they were alone he told his mother what had been said to him ; only he couldn't think who it was who had whispered. " I know," said Kathleen, "it was that dark man who sits quite at the bottom of the table, but L don't know his name!"

"Do you remember a man called "Beeswax" who was once one of your father's servants ?" said Lady La Monte; " that man reminds me so much of him !" " Why did 110 leave, and how did he get here ?" cried out both the boys.

11 1 know why he left; it was because tho girl I had as lady's maid wouldn't, marry him, but he was always fond of us, and would have come back, but your father makes it 11 rule, as you know, never to take into service any one who leaves us, from whatever cause."

How ho got here Ido not. know, aud Lady La Monte leant back ou her mattrasH and .sighed, thinking that it was very unlikely he could be able to do anything to iiet them free. liut sho was mistaken, for not very long after everyone seemed to have gone to rest. Tho castle was so quiet they heard a low roice at. the window " Hist.' " Charlie and Henry at once crept towards it, and answered in an eqnally low voice " yes." " Who says yes," said tho voice again. " Charles La Monte !" said the boy. " All right, are you quite alone except for your mother, sister and brother " Yes, quite !" Charlie answered. "Good!'' said the voice, " Take this iron bar aud these matches, but before you strike draw the mattrass against the door, that no light shall shine under it. Then look about three feet in a straight lino from this window toivards the middle of the room ; you will find a mark on one side of tho stone there. Hive you got it The two boys had done just as the voice told them, aud now said in an whisper, "Yes, we've found it !"

" Well, then, put one end of this iron bar under tlie stone, at tho corner where the mark is. You will find you can raise it quite easily. Lift it up carefully, make no noise, and see you don't fall through the opening, then I'll tell you what to do next."

The boys did this, find then waited a minute, hearing nothing more from the window. Presently a voice sounded from below, just tinder the hole they had made by moving tho Htoue, which their mother had helped them to do.

" Now," said the voice, " I dare'iit use a light here, but put out your hand and catch this ropo I am throwing; up to you!" Henry quickly caught the rope that came flying up through the opening, and the voice from below instructed him to fasten it to an iron ring he would find attached to a staple driven into the wall near the tiny window. When tho rope was securc the voice told him to let himself down by it.

But Lady La Monte came forward and said, " Before T can trust my children and myself down there I must first know who you are, and how you propose for us to escape from the castlc without being found out."

" Oh, my lady !" cried the man, " don't you remember Beeswax ? I can't stop to tell you all now, for you have far to go to-night, mul you must get away as fast as possible, for I don't know how soon the captain aud his men may return, aud they would miss me at once.

" Where have they gone ?" inquired the lady. " They didn't say whero," answered Beeswax, " but its sure to be to rob some poor poople, or burn someone's hay stacks down. Hut my lady please bo quick down ; I'll bo hanged il Fin (taught, buro enough," Charlio got down first to

test tho rope, then Kathleen and Lady La Monte followed with some diCieulty. Sin: was not much in th(! wiy of clij-ibiug" rope at any time, anrl in the jiloo-n of the chamber, with only a thin streak of pale moonlight coming in from t.ho window, she found it very awkward to de.- end. However it was managed at last and Henry followed her. They found themselves in a sort of cellar, and at once led them through a loug: underground passage which seemed to the tired prisoner* as though it would never end. But presently they found thrm•solves coming out through the hill, on the opposite Hide to that on which tho castle was built. B-it the stones had out their boots dreadfully, it was so very rou<rh and rude. Most, thankful were they to feel once more the fresh nisrht air in their foots, and they would gladly have rested for a few minutes to allow Lady La Monte and Kathleen to recover a little from the fatigue of their scramble through the underground passage, but Beeswax hurried them on. He told the lady that in a wood, a good long way off, a man lived in a tiny cottage, who, he was sure, would hide them in a cave near MrUlxie Nome, which was perfectly safe and secret, until Mr Rudolph could be told of what had happened in his absence. Soon they pressed, until they had to cross a road leading from the nearest village, some ten miles distant. They all suddenly stopped, and at once crouched behind some tall furze by the side of the road, for they could distinctly hear the tramf, tramp of a number of horse and footmen coming along the road. How their heart heat! They wore almost afraid to breathe for fear it should be the dreaded de Lancys coming back from their excursion. But Charlie whispered excitedly, " Oh its papa ! I know it is, I can hear his voice !" and as the party came nearer, and the moonlight shone full on them, he jumped up exclaiming, "See there's his flag ! Papa papa The men all stopped, for they were quite close now, and Sir Rudolph La Monte called out " Yes ! I'm papa ! but Charlie, how come you here?" And then Lidy La Monte, and little Kathleen came forward. Henry had quickly followed Charlie, crying out "Here's mother too!" Sir Rudolph Huns; himself off his horse and took his wife in his arms. "My dearest !' lie said, " whatever made you auistich a dreadful risk as coming out nil this way almost alone?" and then the excited children told him alt that had happened. Sir Rudolph did not say very much. He turned to one of the gentlemen riding with him, ,: Sir lie said "may I trouble yon to escort my wife and children home with "JO men? I have other work to do to-night." "Oil, Rudolph, what is it? Don't go away again," cried '-.im wife. "I shall not he long, dear," ho said. Then he rode off to the de Lancy's Castle ; took all who were in it prisoners, and then waited quietly for the return of Captain de Lancy and his men. They were not long coming ; all laughing and joking and in great glee about the success oi their evening's work. Suddenly they found themselves surrounded by enemies, and before they had time to defend themselves, they were made prisoners. Captain de L" ncy had done so many wicked things, that he was sentenced to bo hanged, and his wife and boys went out of the country, and some nice people eame to live at tho castle, so that Charlie and Henry had boy friends they could play with, and Kathleen was delighted to find that there were two little girls who were always ready to cross the stream and pay her a visit. They all thought it was much nicer than fighting. As for pood Beeswax, they hardly knew how to do enough for him to show him liow very thankful they wen that ho set them free from the terrible de Lincy's.