Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-04-03


How came he. then. abroad upon
the road at night with such Il dread?"
'IIc saith he did lose his way and
did wander for many miles in the dark
ness and in dread before he saw our
light. Stay. here he comes"
Then did the man appear. and David
did note that ne was OF fine stature
and of some gallantry Of air. which
did not bear out the report of such I'M
manly cowardice.
But the stranger entered into con-
verse with David. and told him. as
twcre secret. that he was burdened
with much gold and papers of great
import. which he carried in his charge
for others. and craved the company Of
one who bore such an appearance Of
spirit and valor as did David.
Though the stranger spoke thus and
fairly, David did have his own
thoughts. Especially that the stranger
did hang upon his heels, ne'er letting
him out Of sight. and did want to see
his pistols and examine them, to COM
pare with his own.
And while he was about this, the
landlord, as by chance. did call David
out to the door of the inn, to show him
double yoke of oxen that did pass
that way ana was the talk and admi-
ration of all that country.
Then when David did get his pistols
back. with stealth and circunspection
press his little finger up into the muz-
zle and behold there were no bullets
within. which David had looked to
with care in his chamber that morn
Ing.
But David held his peace. and did
straghtway agree to give the traveller
his company to Cambridge Then did
they set forth, after good repast. and
rode upon their way. until they came
to an open country where no house
was seen nor any traveller before or
behind.
"Methnks 1t Is here spake the
stranger, that our dreaded foe, as
rumor hath it. Is wont Outlines to ap.
pear"
"Methinks." quoth David, I'VE shall
know somewhat more of him before
another quarter hath struck in the
steeple at Puckerbridge.'
Say you so? And wherefOre?"
by certain signs and auguries
which the moon hath given me-"
Il am not skilled In these mysteries.
and l wOald fain know by what means
one of your youth can divine as I have
oft heard of. these wondrous revela-
lions from nature"
Nay. to one unskilled by study In
these arts. the means Is not to be thus
lightly told and comprehended. Let
the results suffice. Even now, | know
that this villain Is at hand"
lis it so? Then let us look to our
arms"
milne are ready. Look. Do you not
See him."
THAT | do not nor you"
Aye. but l do"
"Where:"
AT my side-and you are he"'
Now did the countenance of the
stranger turn, and he did look sur
prsed and of visage most menacing.
And he did eXclaim an oath and dash
forward to bar the way for David.
And if be he" he cried. stand
and deliver!"
stand | will not" cried David In
turn. But for the delivery. 1t will be
of thy body to the Sheriff of London
town"
Then did the robber see that David
had purpose to make it an issue, and
he did draw his pistol
But David had Embossed his cloak
and held 1t loose before him, knowing
full well that curtain of such I'M
stable substance were oft better than
n bulwark Of wood against a bullet.
Then did he also draw his trusty dag
ger and set his horse a-tilt at the man
full bravely.
The man did fire, and the ball pierced
Dayid's cloak. so that he felt 1t strike
against his coat of mail
But David laughed and ran his horse
upon the man with a mighty shock.
and plunged the dagger into his side
full to the hlt. SO that the man fell
and moved no more after little
while
Twas then David made search upon
his person and found many things to
show it was even he of the black mask:
aye. ii was the mask itself he found.
with many trihkets and articles OF
value which had been proclaimed rs
taken by this man.
Awhile and II carter came that way.
whom David persuaded by promise OF
a piece OF gold to turn himself toward
London; and they did take the body
up and put it in the cart and cover it
skillfully that none might see; and so
they journeyed to London and 10 the
Sheriff of that place. where David did
get his hundred pounds and much
praise from them which had found loss
by this man.
And among such there were some OF
high station who took interest of
David BlackshaW for what he had
done. who procured for him place In
the Kings Foot. whereby David went
to the wars. with many adventures AMI
hard knocks which were mueh tn