Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-07-26
CHAPTER III.


Armstrong was returning one night on
horseback from Dartmouth to the home
Of his wife's family, where he was So
journing prior to setting of upon long
voyage. He had been to the principal Inn
to dine with some officers whose vessels
had Just touched there from Falmouth,
and Humphrey, who had been present.
had felt some doubt about letting him go
home alone.
"You can get a good bed here. and ride
home In the morning. he said. You
had better stay"
"Mind your own business. upstart,"
cried the captain; and ordering his hose,
6rt on one side, and then on the other,
each threatening to send him out Of the
saddle.
Hell be all right. Armstrong" said
. jovial-lookine officer. laughing.
Perhaps So" said Humphrey. aloud
Then to himself, II don't half like It.
though. The roads bad, and shouldn't
care for anything to happen to him, even
g 10 IL to make me heir to his estate.
wish I had not let him co."
He returned to the room where the
'ofhcers were. They had no longer jour
ney before them than upstairs to their
rooms. and there were plenty Of servants
to see them safely into bed.
ave done wronk," said Humphrey
Armstrong. 'He was not 1T to 70 home
alone. It's long walk. but shall mot
feel comfortable unless I see whether he
has got home safely. Here goes"
He slipped out OF the room. and, tax
iny'A stout stick which was the compan.
Ion Of his hat, he started forth into the
'eosl night air. and walked sturAily away
In tthe direction Of his cousins house.
About half an hour later the 'drowsy
groom who was sitting up for the cap
tain's return, rose with a sigh OF salts.
faction. for he heard the Gathering Of
hoofs In tho stable yard.
AT last" he cried; and, taking a light.
I'd lantern, he hurried out, to stand In dis.
may staring at the empty saddle, at the
trembling animal, breathing hard and
shaking Its head.
"Why, she's all Of q muck" muttercd
the man; "snd the captin ar'6't Oh her.
He be fallen OF, I'd xwear."
The man stood staring for a few min.
utes, while the horse paved lmpatieutly
% II asking to be admitted to Its sta
BILE. Then he opened the door, the weary
beast went In, and the maa stood star.
Ing with true Devon stolidity.
1t suddenly occurred to him something
ought to be done about the captain. and
he reused up the coachman 70 spread thu
alarm In the house.
"Nay, we'll only scare the poor ladies
to DEATH" said the Jehu Of the estab
hshment, gray hairs having brought him
wisdom. Lets gee Wrist. lad, ,if thcr,
be anything really bad"
The horses were quickly saddled. ant
the two men servants trottsd along the
Dartmouth road till about half why
where, In one Of the gloomicst parts, theii
horses began to snort and exhibit sign,
Of fear. and as they drew up q voice
shouted:
Help! Who's that7 Heinz
"Why, II be Mr.. Humphrey" said the
old coschman; and dismountinx, he gave
his rein to bis companion. and ran for
ward. "What be wrong, sirT
1.-THE captain. Much hust," was thu
reply.
II thought 10. sir. His horse Gomez
homo without him. He's been throwed.-
or pulled o." he added to himself.
Its something worse, I'm afraid
The old coachman lent his aid, and with
some difficult the captain was place,
across one of the horses, tho Lieutenant
mounting t. hold him on and support
him, while the two servants fOll0we,
slowly behind.
"Pulled OFF, whispered the groom.
"Mebbe;" said the old coachman; an,
then to himself, Looks bad for Mr.
Humphrey; and Il he died, what shoul'
say to them a. asked how found 'cm T
The old man walked slowly ON 70
half an hour before he answered his men
tai question, and his answer was:
They'd make me dell 'em the truth
and II might bring Mr.. Humphrey to tn
gallows; aud IL It did, It would he al
through me-"
After leaving his companions at the In,
Captain Armstrong had descended into {
marrow pass where the road had heeI
cut down In the hillside. leaving high
well.wOOded bank on either hand, .anS
here It was far more dark than out Il
the open, and the mare, after walking
steadily on for some distance with he
wsll.sh0d hoofs blinking upon the l0Os,
stones. suddenly SHE'D. stopped short, an.
ApOrted.
'What's the matter with you, stupid
Can't you stand straight" cried the cap
tain. striking the beast angrily with hi
heels. go on"
The horse, however, backed and swerv
ed from side to side, making a. II to turf
sharply and gallop back to Dartmouth
hut just Ut that moment there was 1
rustling sound heard overhead, where tn
rough bushes fringed the bank. and d
rcctly sitter q rush and the sound OF SOM
one leaping down into the lane between
the captain and the town.
This had the effect Of startling tn
horse more and more, but instead Of max
ing now for the way by which they ha,
come. 1t willingly obeyed the touch OF m
riders spur, aud continued Its journe.
for half dozen yards. Then It st0ppe'
short once again, for dark figure lespel
down into the lane just In front, and tn
captain found himself hemmed In.
''Stand back. you scoundrels!' r0are'
the captain. ~l'll blow your brains out !!
A hooking laugh was the response. ant
~ he dragged ut the holster smar
blow from a cudgel fell upon his hand
msking him utter a yell Of pain. Th
neKt moment one of tho men had leape,
up behind him and clasped bis arms L
his side. and In the struggle which ensue,
both came down OF the horse, which ut
tered q loud snort Of fear and dashed Oi
at q gallop down the hill for home, while
nerved to action now by his position ant
stung BY the blows he had received iron
his sails nj tho M nj oln vvrostod hin,sal