Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-08-23
CHAPTER XVI.


The anxiety of Perry and his friends
was soon rclievel by glimpse OF MIS-
Cott r, who came hurriedly up the
stairs. -,
She was pale as ghost, but outward
ly calm
ne of the men on guard recognized
Mr. Baker," she reported, as she reached
the door, "but lie met the crisis in tho
right way, knocking the fellow down
and choking him into silence and sub
mission"
"Whero is he now?" asked Perry.
"Mr. Baker has shOuldered him and
carried him to the stable Don't be
anxious. We shall be back in few
minutes.
And with this she again vanished.
The event proved tlat Mrs. Cotter's
performance was as good as her prom
ise, the carriage, with Baker on the box,
soon appearing at the front door
"Of course Gaddler goes with us, re-
marked Perry. at will be quite
feather in our caps to lodge him in
PRISON"
We need not pause upon the tran ser
TO the carriag,, which was accomplished
with due secrecy and dispatch, but not
without some attention from Gaddler's
h relings, who were readily silenced and
dismissed by Mrs. Cotter, the darkness
of the night being t intense for them
to form any Gear idea OF what was
transpiring
Perry took his pace beside Baker, the
ladies having possession OF the body OF
| tie vehicle.
AS to .Gaddler, lie had been strapped
upon the luggage rack at the rear OF
the carriage with as little ceremony as
if he had been a case of boots
The start was taken quietly enough,
so as to avoid arOusing the suspicion or
such of the fol overs OF Gaddler as were
conscious of it, but at the end OF few
minutes, when the carriage had reached
the level of the plains. Baker ventured
upon an easy jog wherever the con-
iguration of the country permitted.
"Of course we are going straight to
the mines" was all Perry deemed it
necessary to say to the ladies "lf we
don't give the Skidders a wholesome sur
prise in the course OF the morning,
will be greatly mistaken"
Once relieved of all fear of pursuit,
Baker drew up with due caution, hand
ing the reins to Perry and leaping
lightly to the ground.
"Of course you are not entitled to a
bed of roses, Mr. Gaddler, lie remarke ',
as he stepped up to the prisoner and
proceeded to remove the gag from his
mouth. "But we have no wish to be un'
pece sarily severe-to the contrary. ii
Won will be reasonable, therefore, we /
l,o nf fnpOun
course you! / only wish | had you
where you have mel" returned the pris
oner. "To think Of your turning up Sc
unexpectedly at my secret retreat, when
supposed you to be dead! And thai
Mr.. Cott r."
Baker interrupted this TRADE by al
emphatic gesture.
@Another word" he said, sternly, "anC
| will close your mouth again, and leave
it closed until we reach the mines"
The prisoner comprehended, relapsinf
into o sullen silence.
What ride was that which succeed
ed, with its frequent routes and snaiP'
pace, and with the dull, drear canopy O.
an almost starless night over the travel
erS
With the great p aims, too, as varle
gated with wood, rock and water thu
spreading out in such lmmensltle'
around them.
There was no sign of dwelling, o.
even of the presence of a human belnt
other than their own parry, in all tina
solitude.
No fence, no regular road, nothing u
indicate any other occupancy than tina
of the thousands of cattle which trayers'
these D aims occasionally, feeding a
they go.
1t was new experience for all ina
memorable ride, even for Baker an'
Mrs. Cotter.
Bound to a rack, as 1t were, jostle'
and pitched, it was such ride for San
Gaddler as h, had never imagined
painful, humiliatng, and seemlng'.
eternal.
Baker did all he could with his limited
knowledge of the country, as thus tram
me,ed by the darkness, to keep the car
riage in the right direction, but frequen
changes and rectiicat ons of their couri
were necessary, and it was only tecaus
the parties possessed good compasse
that they did not miss their way al
together.
At last, with the first CLEANS OF tn
now day, the travelcrs halted at bro
to water 6heir horses and take thei
bearings anew, as we'll as to make
bnrlied breakfast.