The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-05

ming speed: IF you swore 10 me on
stack of Bibles you knew nothing about
my colt wouldn't believe you ! shall
90 straight 10 Major Yeates and ask mis-
advice l believe him to be a gentleman,
in spite Of the company he keeps"
/ withered deeper into the furze bushes,
and thereby discovered a sandy rabbit
run. along which ! crawled, with my cap
well over my eyes and the flIrZe needles
stabbing me through my stockings The
ground shelvcd a little, promising pro-
found concealment, but the bushes were
very thick and / had laid hold of Che bare
stem of one to help my progress. 1t lift
ed out of the ground in my hand reveal
ing freshly-cut stump. Something
snorted not yard away; I glared through
the opening and was confronted by the
long. Mortified face of Mrs. KnoX's colt
mysterously on a level with my own.
Even without the white diamond ON his
forehead l should have OWNED the truth
But what in the name Of wonder had
persuaded him to crouch like a woodcock
in the heart of a furze brake? For a
full minute 7 lay as still as death Tor
fear of frightening him, while the voices
of FURRY and his grandmother ragged on
alarmingly close to me. The colt snCrted
and blew long breaths through his wide
nostrils, but he did not move. ] craWlcd
on an inch or two nearer. and after n
, few seconds Of cautions peering / graspcd
the position. They had buried him.
A small sandpit among the furze had
been utilized as a grave; they had flied
him M to his withers with sand and o
few fur2e bushes, artistcally disposed
round the pit had done the rest. As the
depth Of Flurry's guile was revealed
laughter came upon me like a flood. !
gurgled and shook alphabetically, and the
colt gazed at me with serious surprise,
until student outburst of barking close
to my elbow administered a fresh shock
to my tCtterng nerves.
Mrs. Knoxs woolly dog had tracked M
into the furze. and was now baying the
colt and me with ingled terror and in
dignation. / addressed him in a whisper
with perfidious endearments, advancing
a crafty hand toward him tho while, made
a snatch for the back of his neck, missed
it badly and got him by the ragged fleece
of his hindquarters as he tried to nee
If | had hayed him alive he could hard
~ have uttered q more deafening series
of yells, but, like n fool instead of let
ting him go, l dragged him toward me-
and tried to stifle the noise by holding
his muzzle. The tussle lasted engrossing
ly for a few seconds and then the climax
Of the nightmare arrived.
Mrs. Knoxs voice, close behind nc,
said: Let go my dog this instant. sir!
Who are you--"
Her voice faded away and knew that
she also had seen the colts head.
fa1t hon Al
her age there was no knowing what Of
feet the shock might have on her.
scrambled to my feet and confronted her.
Major Yeatesr she said. There was
a deathly pause. "Wul you kindly tell
me" said Mrs. Knox slowly, "am i in
Bedlam, or are you? And what is that
She pointed to the colt and that IN
fortunate animal, recognizing the voice
of his mistress. uttered hOarse and Ia
mentable whinny. Mrs. Knox felt around
her tor support, found only furze prick IS,
gazed speechlessly at me, and then, to
her eternal honor, fell into wild cacklcs
of laughter
So, I may say, did FURRY and I. I en-
barked on my explanation and broke
down; FURRY followed suit and broke
down, too Overwhelming laughter held
us all three, disintegrating cur very souls.
Mrs. Knox pulled herself together first.
Il acQuit you. Major Yeates l acduit
you. though appearances are against you.
It's clear enough to me you've fallen
among thieves" She stopped and glow
cred at FURRY Her purple bonnet was
over one eye. 'Ill thank you, sir" she
said, Ito dig out that horse before I
leave this place. And when you've dug
him out you may keep him. I'll be no
receiver of stolen goods!"
She broke off and shook her fist at him.
Upon my conscience, Tony, I'd give a
guinea to have thought of that myself"
SMOKE La Josephine" and Young
Fritz"