caught a glimpse of the grim line advancing through the trees at his

rear.

Instantly an effort was made to wheel several of the pieces about

and train them upon the advancing horsemen; but even had there been

time, a shout that rose from several of Peter's artillerymen as the

Royal Horse broke into full view would doubtless have prevented the

maneuver, for at sight of the tall, bearded, young man who galloped

in front of the now charging cavalrymen there rose a shout of "The

king! The king!"

With the force of an avalanche the Royal Horse rode through those

two batteries of field artillery; and in the thick of the fight that

followed rode the American, a smile upon his face, for in his ears

rang the wild shouts of his troopers: "For the king! For the king!"

In the moment that the enemy made their first determined stand a

bullet brought down the great bay upon which Barney rode. A dozen of

Peter's men rushed forward to seize the man stumbling to his feet.

As many more of the Royal Horse closed around him, and there, for

five minutes, was waged as fierce a battle for possession of a king

as was ever fought.

But already many of the artillerymen had deserted the guns that had

not yet been attacked, for the magic name of king had turned their

blood to water. Fifty or more raised a white flag and surrendered

without striking a blow, and when, at last, Barney and his little

bodyguard fought their way through those who surrounded them they

found the balance of the field already won.

Upon the slope below the city the loyal troops were advancing upon

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