Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-07-25
"Geoffrey Heathcote, ESQ.,
BY JOHN FINNIM0RE. Copyright 1895, by 8. 8. Mcclure co.,
CHAPTER /.
HOW FARED ON THE ROA'

on the further side OF RadnorShire. l
was not greatly apprehensive OF pur-
suit, for. On leaving Butley Croft In
Worcester, I had ridden northeast
nearly as far as Shrewsbury, then had
turned and run back almost parallel
on my track, making the last part of
my journey chiefly by night, and fol-
lowing unfrequented roads.
was nov making directly across the
borders and heading for the heart of
Wales, where I had an expectation of
finding a ure refuge. Soon after en-
tering upon a Dad which l was told
would lead me direct to the town OF
Rh&yader, 1t .became very rough and
uneven, rising and falling over small
er hills, while far before me, low and
purple, rose ioftier mountains. l trav-
eled at a moderate pace, for / was de-
sirous of sparing my good mare White
sock, she being unaccustomed to such
roads underfoot, and her comfort as
dear 10 me as my own.
Near midday, for the sur was hard
Iy at the zenith, l came to a small inn,
where several roads met. Here l rest
ed q couple OF hours, baited my mare,
and refreshed myself, though with no
great relish, for the bread was dirty
ana showed sigGs that the mice had
bad the run OF the flou sack, n the
rest Of the ~provender was to match.
In the afternoon l entered on a
stretch Of rolling country, mostly heath
n furze, the o a a mere track, split
ting into a dozen where there was a
bad patch to cross, and every traveller
had followed his own Judgment.
Up TO this point the way had been
quito solitary, but on breasting a gentle
rise | saw, some half-mile In front, and
ascending the next slope, a tiny Caval-
krvA ya,,An rl1Ia. 49, .--ia. 4.
pony and a man on foot. They
were going at a walk, and l refined in
to a walk also. Perhaps these people
would turf aside soon and leave me
the road to myself. But just as they
reached the crest of the hill something
the led pony. Making q
bound like a cat, the active little crea-
ture tore the halter from the hand OF
the man who was leading 1t, turned and
down the hill like a greyhound,
heavy s~addlebags with which Il
was loaded humping and tapping
against it's sides, and increasing at once
It's terror and It's speed.
The two women wheeled their ponies
and gave instant chase. But the fugi-
tive had less to carry and a good start,
and Shove them q clean pair Of heels.
| esOlved 10 stop 1t as 1t came up the
hill, wher the ascent would blow IT.,
but In the bottom 1t turned to the open
heath and He'd whinnying with delight
over the turf.
Touching Whitesock with my heel, 1
rode at an angle with It's course, and
soon UP with it. But It was no
easy thing to catch. 1t lodged, twist
ed, doubled like a hare, showed as
many tricks us n fox, and finally. see
there was no escape, trotted back
to the nearer rider as II 1t had been
a tame lamb.
/ knew the nature of the little beast
well. 1t was not the first time by many
/ had seen the wonderful cunning
and cleverness OF a Welsh mountain
pony, for every spring the dealers come
with droves Of them to our market
town. The nearer horsewoman now
gave me Il volley OF words which
proved pure Hebrew to me, showing
At the same time her white teeth in a
smile which shone all over her
fee,
1t vas clearly the Welsh tongue
which she was FpeakluP, and rs had
no Welsh to answer her, | could but
nod and smile back. When she saw
had not her language, she said,
Well, thank you, indeed" but 80 odd
and stitly was ii spoken that / had
much pains to recognize the familiar
l made her a proper reply, then
back to the highway.
The second rider had taken a some
what different direction, and l did not
approach her. AS l regained the road,
The man FASTENED up-a queer, tall old
clad In well-worn greasy home
and carrying q long carbine over
his shoulder. The sight OF this weapon
Drought to mind what l had heard
about the disturbed condition of this
OF the country, and, as I rode
up the hill, I drew the charges
rom my pistols, and reloaded them.
For some two or three miles the way
solitary; then, at a turn Of
he road, where 1t wound among thick
ITS or hazel and bramble and holly, I
vas aCcosted by q young Woman
standing in the middle of the track.
Whitesock was walking, for the going
vas very bad, and as I came slowly
through the slough to the dry spot
where the young woman stood, the lat
,er rolled her big black eyes Mt me
'oguishly and smiled and kissed her
She was a strapping lass of 20, may
IN a bright red petticoat and bodice.
he latter leaving her bosom half bare.
3y her appearance l Judged her to be
IN Egyptian.
foDie captain, SAID Sne with a ca
'essing emile. II am a country maid.
wing about I've miles beyond here. I
walked q long way and am
weary. Won't you-Oh, won't you take
up behind you and carry me a little
distance on my road?"
] eyed her warily, TO be sure that she
vas a woman, for queer things often
lonely travellers in these unset
led days. But a woman she was. and
me also who thought that her smile
bright eye had pleaded her cause
veil with me. She took my silence for
and advanced to lay her hand
N the pommel. Whitesock received a
lint, given so that no one might OBJ
1t, but which she we'll under
stood, and she sprang h~alf-a-dozen
eet sideways from the scarlet figure.
Have q care, my girl" aI4 /, chow
'ou approach my mare. 1 should not
wish to see you suffer, either by her
eeth or heels"
She is n Of hat sort, Is she?' said
he Egyptian. Well, noble captain,
tay with me and We'll walk gently to-
and beguile our with pleas
mt speech"
We had now gained the hard road,
md / gave another secret sign to my
rood mare. who broke at once into q
gallop. l was anxious to be clear
# the thicket, for / Knew very we'll
he was not alone, and that some plan
gone amiss l was well assured by
foul curses and outcries which the
pretended simple country lass poured
Ifter me. l had gone a mile again
when a thought flashed into my mind,
instantly flashing through my rein, and
Whitesock to q stand.
What of the travellers whose pony
had stopped?
What force was with the Egyptian?
To this day l can eve understand
What power 1t was that drew my rein
md sent me back instantly to see what
night hap with them. AS l trotted
long, l mapped out in my mind the
l had traversed. 1t is a gift
which Is native TO me. and which, often
md again. has stood me in great stead.
I matters not where l go, IL 1t be by
and l can mark the lie of the
and 1t sits in my mind as if pricked