Part 5 (1/2)
”Quick, Your Majesty,” he implored, in a frenzy
Charles moved to depart, then paused ”But you, sir? Do you not come with me?”
Crispin stamped his foot, and turned a face livid with i In that otten
”Iquickly ”That crazy door will not hold for a second once a stout man sets his shoulder to it After the door they will find me, and for your sake I trust I may prove of stouter stuff Fare you well, sire,” he ended in a softer tone ”God guard Your Majesty and send you happier days”
And, bending his knee, Crispin brushed the royal hand with his hot lips
A shower of blows clattered upon the timbers of the door, and one of its panels was splintered by a musket-shot Charles saw it, and with a ht by Crispin, he obeyed the knight, and fled
Scarce had he disappeared down that narrow passage, when the door gave way cohty crash fell in Over the ruins of it sprang a young Puritan-scarce : ”The Lord of Hosts!”
But ere he had taken three strides the point of Crispin's tuck-sword gave him pause
”Halt! You cannot pass this way”
”Back, son of Moab!” was the Roundhead's retort ”Hinder me not, at your peril”
Behind him, in the doorway, pressed others, who cried out to him to cut down the A rimly for answer, and kept the officer in check with his point
”Back, or I cut you down,” threatened the Roundhead ”I anant Stuart”
”If by those blasphemous words you mean his sacred Majesty, learn that he is where you will never be--in God's keeping”
”Presuiveway!”
Their swords ainst the other; then Crispin's blade darted out, swift as a lightning flash, and took his opponent in the throat
”You would have it so, rash fool,” he deprecated
The boy hurtled back into the arms of those behind, and as he fell he dropped his rapier, which rolled alain he stood erect, confronting the rebels in that narrow passage, he held a sword in either hand
There was a ht, then to his dismay Crispin saw the barrel of a musket pointed at him over the shoulder of one of his foremost assailants He set his teeth for as to coht already have ht, and a fitting end, since his last hope of redress was gone-destroyed by that fatal day's defeat
But of a sudden a cry rang out in a voice wherein rage and anguish were blended fearfully, and simultaneously the musket barrel was dashed aside