Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-01-17
CHAPTER v.


Andy writhed under the young
mans grip and words. grew livid and
was clearly afraid.
Suddenly releasing him. Dick flunE
him to the ground. and drew n pistol
from his breeches pocket.
Foster looked up for moment. then
gathered himself together and arose
to his feet He did not speak: neither
did Dick. The deadly silence was Mt
last broken by Dick.
Am 7 the chicf!' he said. replacing
his weapon.
You are the chief" Foster replied.
This Is our Arst serious quarrel. let
II be our last" said Dick.
1T SHALL Foster replied: ''thc man
who can. twist Andrew Foster about as
II he were wcathcreock is good
enough To follow"
you think so. truly! And no knife
In your thoughts. no knife or pistol
on a dark night when your man Ia on
his .uard!''
II am sincere" said Foster. thor
oushly eowcd.
Your hand on H."
Foster put out his hand. Dick took
Il. and as he pressed II In a peculiar
way repeated part Of the oath which
bound the little company Of so-eaiicd
merchants together. And whosocvcr
he shall break his oath OF fcalty to the
chief then and there In authority. his
life shall be forfeit and may be taken
by one and all: or. falling this Just
execution. b. shall be deserted by all
In tho hour of his need"
Those arc tho words. think."
They are said Foster.
you stiii subscribe to ttsrmr-
II do
Andy: not you who sparr mine. ch'-
THAT 10 so.'' said the red-cyed
sneak.
And wc will forget all that has oc-
Cured to shake our tcmpcrs In Kirk
stall,
And at Leeds said Foster. ready
to make the amends more complete.
We arc friends. comrades. broth
crs. once more" said Dick. with a
pleasant smile. After breakfast you
will go on your way-at the end of
tho week you will report yourself I
will meet you six days hence at York
"a milo this side the last turnpike.
at D.
Right said Foster: and such is
discipline. when enforced by authority
combined with superior skill and
strength. that. half an hour afterwards
the young traveller and his friend were
brcakfastins together as amicabiy as
II there had never been the shadow
of cloud upon their intercourse.
They preferred to cat In the private
room tina, overlooked tho hirh road:
Bciiingham and two other guests In
the general room.
II vase a cozy. wainscoated apart
mcn,, this private room that nanked
the bar. and matched II with a large
ow-window. which commanded fine
view of Kirkshali Abbey. with the Aire
and a stretch of green meadows In the
foreground. and in the distance
Elimpses of the river as IL flowed in
crystal beauty through one OF the
iovciics, valleys in England.
AZ the two travellers were finishing
their morning meal they were attract
cd by Tom Sheffield. the man of all
work. leading to the door a smart cob.
which was followed by young fellow
mounted upon a similar animal. the
sturdy countrymau vaulting out of his
saddle to assist a mcrry-looking girl
into hers. Not that Mary required his
aid. She took his hands. ncvcrthe-
less /, was offered with the grace OF
n narf,c. horsemau
Jack Meadows was Yorkshire born
and bred. and II there is one thing a
| Yorkshireman can do better than any
other man I. Is TO ride horse. and
II there is one thing a Yorkshireman
knows more than any other II Is a
good horse when he sees IT. Jack
Meadows was rough farmer: he sat
with the dignity of an Indian and the
confidence and ease of huntsman.
/ He wore his velveteen jacket. drsb
breeches. figured stock. and all that.
and smiled proudly at Mary as her
horse curveted and showed Its points.
and her own.
For spin to Jacks farm" said
Mary. answering her uncle. who stood
in an attitude of admiration at the inn
door, ito see the new colt: and we will
be back half an hour before the
coach"
Very WE'LL" said the old man. "be
in time for the coach. and you'll be in
time fer me. Mary. How are you.
Jack?"