Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-01-12
VOL. 40.


ton when, the gates being opened, the
animal secured away with his nose to
the ground in the direction Of London.
Away went the dog, and away galloped
Sir William, keeping an eye upon him
always. 1t was broad daylight when
the three reached the outskirts of Lon
don, and Sir William was hailed by a
voice he knew well. It was that OF the
major Of his late regiment.
''Hullo, colonel, where are you off to
so early?'' Major Higgins was on his
way home after night play at Brooks.
Turn your horses head, and I'll tell
you," returned Sir William, through
his set teeth The idea of communicat-
ing his losses and the indignity he, an
old soldier, had suffered, sufficed to
make the blood, which his swift ride
had kept at fever heat, boil again.
Major Higgins did as desired, and
putting his horse to the gallop received
in as few words as possible the news
of the nights occurrence at Durham
Court, as he and his old colonel made
their way side by side, through Oxford
street and the Strand, never once losing
sight of the mongrel that was, he fan
cied, to be the clew to the recovery of
his property. Dodging and winding his
way among market carts and hackney
coaches, the dog, never once relaxing
his speed, diverged into bystreets and
lanes, until he disappeared up court
in Leather lane.
Dismounting and giving their horses
in charge of a lad, and having impress
ed Waterman into their service, they
advanced up the court in single file. Sir
William led the way, a cooked pistol
in either hand; Major Higgins, who
came next, was unarmed; the watch
man brought up the rear in leisurely
way that showed him by no means
thirsting for the fray. Doorway after
doorway was examined, but the cur
seemed literally to have vanished. In
an angle Of the cul-de-sac into which
they had entered Sir William at last
discovered an outside wooden staircase.
Despite the circumstances Of his CON-
panions, he persisted in creeping cau-
tiously up the crazy stairs. There,
curled up at a door, and apparently fast
asleep, lay the cur which had SO faith
fully but unconsciously guided him to
his master $ lair.
A summons to open tho door met
with no response. Sir William, to whom
anger and excitement gave additional
energy: put his knee to the door, bid
ding Major Higgins duck as he did
SO. The door yielded with crash.
A shot passed over the lowered heads of
the two officers and took effect in the
cooked hat of the Waterman. A short
scuffie, and the thieves saved their lives
by surrendering at discretion to Sir
Williams pistols. On table in their
midst was spread out the whole Of the
"swag;' not an article was missing.
A presentation sword of Sir William S,
the hilt of which was thickly crusted
with gems, was the only part of the
booty that had met with ill usage, but
every diamond, ruby or emerald that
had been knocked from it's socket still
lay OH the worm eaten table, and was,
before many days were past. restored to
its accustomed bed. A few bruises and
dents in the metal work of the hilt re-
manned, and these Sir William would
show with great glee i'll after days, tell
ing how the good sword was lost and
won, while as to the dents and notches
on the blade, gained in more legiti-
mate warfare, the good colonel could
scarce ever be got to speak word
Chambers Journal.