Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-11-22
CHAPTER VIII.


There was moon nevertheless: but
Il only appeared at ftfui moments
from behind the driving clouds. II
would have raincd. but tho wind was
too high.
There was a damp feeling In the air.
as u the wind had come across the
sea Squire Bcliinsham rode mcrriiy
through the storm: the nols. and bus
tic of Il rcjoleed him. The Squire car
ri-d about him large sum OF mon
cy. but IL was we'll known by every
body that his pistols were heavy. and
tina; he would not scrnplc to use them
" he was attacked. Indeed. IL was
naid that the fine old 'saulrc-mctchant
rather eourted than feared attack.
though this was not quite correct.
lilo was content TO be allowed to so
on his way rejoicing: but he was n
man without fear. There were many,
In the Yorkshire OF those days. as
there arc now. lie little thought. aa
ho sailopcd along towards kirks,ail
that his courage aud his skin were
abou, to be sorriy tried.
No; far on the side Of the Abbey
nearest the high load two horscmca
had trthcrcd their s,ccds under
ciump OF trees. through which tho wind
moancd and laughed. now like somo
hystrFicai demon. now like some iicna
In an agony.
They were well trained stccds that
stood together like saatiacis beneath
the screaming trees.
Neither OF them moved a muscle.
except when one of the dlsmountcd
riders came from the outer darkness
into the deeper gloom of the wooded
cover. and. pattins his gray mare.
took a brace OF pistols from her hol-
Atcra.
lie seemed to do this In a sly and
Hecrct manner. The truth was. he had
engaged with his fellow-conspirators
not to use firearms In the enterprise
upon which they were engaged.
The two robbers had prepared
surprise and trap for the Squire.
which should have rendered him an
easy victim without the aid of pis-
tolls.
Moreover. they had. by a clever
strategy. and with the assistance of
nefarious hostlcr at the 'Squirc's pre-
vious halting place. had his pistols
cmptied.
They had coutrived method of OBJ
struction upon the road near the ,b-
hey. an ingenious but cruel COT
ancc of rope and wire stretched acr-ss
the road that could not fail to cntangie
the surcst-footed animal.
The Squire was sailing along to-
ward the trap. and two men lay In am
bush awaiting the result. on this au-
,umn night of our story. and about the
same time Mr.. William Taylor and Mr..
John Wilson arrived at the Star and
Garter inn.
Taylor was no stranger to the hos
pitality of the old coaching house: but
Wilson was there for the first time.
They found several other customers
in the bar. and Morley. the landlord.
holding forth upon the prowess of his
Mary.
Wilson was young fellow. though
an old friend of Taylor. who lived at
Leeds.
Taylor had been telling Wilson how
beautiful Mary was. and Wilson was
anxious to see this paragon of lowell
ness and virtue. He had travelled and
knew the world. His father and Tay-
lor had been venturers in their time,
and young Wilson was a native OF
Plymouth. and although accustomed
to see men do brave things. 1t was
something new for him to meet girl
w.no had, as Taylor said. all the great
qualities of the masculine hero with
the sweet and gentle virtue of beau
tiful girl.
"You are talking of Mary" said
Taylor to the landlord.