Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-07-30

After supper l sat idly TO while,
until youne woman came in to clear
away the dishss Then thought of
the saddler and stepped outside to find
him. closed the inn door behind me,
took few steps. and stood to look
about upon my surroundings The Inn
was close and none too sweet smell
ing, and drew several hearty breaths
to fill my lungs with the clean. fresh
air of the night The place lay in pro-
found repose. Here and there faint
candle-shine betokened life in dwell
Ing, but no sound was to be heard.
Above, the sky was full of frosty,
twinkling stars, thlck-set and clear
shining. The only strong light in the
dusky picture was that of the inn Win
dow. a Vivid patch of crimson in the
black wall at my elbow.
The crate OF an opening door came
to my ears, and glanced across the
way. MY eyes were now accustomed
to the faint starlight. and I saw a fe-
male figure approaching me. AT her
nrst word knew her for the girl who
had spoken English 50 purely.
Sir, said she, Il should advise you
not to follow the route OF which you
spoke to me-
II intend to take a guide" return
ed; but she went on
1T 10 not the difficulties of the road
! have In mind. But since reaching
here, l have heard that there is danger
lurking among the hills. To those
familiar with every turn of the coun-
try. 1t may be avoided; stranger
would have no such chance, IL his guide
knew but the direct way"
You are Kindness Itself" I said, but
IN these days such dangers are part
and parcel of the Journey Witness our
little ARRAY this afternoon.
All" she returned. But this Is OF
q darker cast. 1 assure you, 1t would
be wise to turn back"
Why. there you name a thing cam
not do" replied. Frankly, l should
return to the gallows. To be hung or
at best. shot, is a certainty for me, un-
less 1 find suro hiding place. Can
yonder hills hold worse fate?"
She gave a little startled cry, and
now, for the first time, 1 caught II
glimpse of her. OF a sudden, the GRIM
son curtain was twitched back, and the
shine of the candles fell fair upon her
face Trusting to tho dark the mui1ling
cloak was carelessly thrown about her,
and saw for a second matchless pro-
file and caught her full liquid glance
Then with "a swift turn of the home
spun, her. lustrous eyes We're yelled and
she appeared to all seeming the sim
pie country girl. At the window the
gaping face of the wench OF the inn
peered out into the night The cur
tain was dropped and my companion
siided away Tho latch of the door
clicked. and In another moment the
serving maid thrust her head out She
must have caught our voices, low as
We spoke. L stood perfectly still; the
door on the opposite side of the way
had been already softly closed The
girl stared until she was satifed that
L was quite alone, then went back into
the house.
For myself I remained in pleasant
Kind of waking dream. An elation of
this beautiful vision; the night seemed
fun of magic of romance and mystery;
my heart drummed merry marching
music in my ear. That the gray home-
spun was n disguise 1 now knew very
well-no milkmaid who ever lived had
such an air-and Judged the disguise
Well chosen. For with our present
swarms of footpads and broken men
there are but two ways Of marching
safely; one with such a show of force
as to overawe. the other with such
modcsty as to draw no particular no.
tice. and l reckon the second way the
safer
After while my errand came into
my mind, and moved slowly up the
street l saw a window with Bride
hanging In 1t. and entered the house.
The smell OF leather assured me of the
place, and next l came upon the sad
dler himself seated behind a screen and
busy at his work In two words | told
him what I wanted; in one he re-
fused.
mo, no." said he, shaking his head;
II will not go that way
Come | continued, II will pay you
well. You shall name your own price"
1t Is not the money" he said, but
they are there > He lowered his voice
to an uneasy whisper. II heard it to-
day" he went on; they are about
there now
They" said I; land who are they 90
~ Gwylltaid Cochion," he replied.
The name is familiar in my ears now,
but upon that first time of hearing it,,
l cought nothing but IL kissing click,
followed by a harsh cultural, sounds
which had no meaning for me.
What are they like?" said /.
Well" said he, 'tthey are red. Oh.
yes, they Will be red"
Are they men or what?"
Some say they are men," replied the
saddler, and some say they have been
men once, but now" He broke off
and drew deep breath. II will not go
with YOU he cried sharply, nor will
any other man.
That he was frightened at something
or somebody among the hills l saw
clearly; and If his neighbors We're in
fected with the same fear then good
by to hopes of a guide.
Look here" said I, 81 have a gift
of finding my way about places. Give
me full description of the road and
III try it alone"
Yes, l will do that" he said, and he
spread out piece of thin leather on
his cutting board. Upon this he traced
q map with his awl, and very we'll he
dld it, too. as l found out afterward
and for half an hour or more stored
away landmark after landmark in my
memory-a hill of peculiar shape, a
cairn. a great rock, shepherds cot
tage. an inn. Twice or thrice we ran
over the route, and l felt confident I
could follow 1t. Then l rewarded him
for his trouble. and returned to the
Inn.
CHAPTER III.
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