Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-12-14
CHATTER w

over the bridge and climbing the nigh
ground beyond South Hincksey, with
shrewd northeast wind at my back, could
/ spare time for 4 second backward look
/ pulled out the letter that Anthony had
given me. In the moonlight the brown
smear of his blood was plain to see run
ming across the superscription:
TO our trusty and well-beloved Sir
Ralph Hopton at our Army in Cornwall
these"
Twas no more than l looked for. vet
the sight of it and the Kings red seal
quickened my step as / set off again.
And l cared not a straw for DIR. Kettles
wrath on the morrow.
Having no desire to fall in with any
of the royal outposts that lay around
Abingdon, | fetched well away TO the
west, meaning to shape my course for
Darlington, aud So into the great Bath
road. It's not my purpose to describe
at any length my itinerary, but rather
to reserve ny pen for those more moving
events that overlook me later
Twas about in the evening, and /
still laborng along, when, over the low
hedge 10 my right, a man on sorrel
mare leaped easily as a swallow, and
alighted some ten PAGES or less in front
OF me; where he dismounted and stood
barring my path. The muzzle of his pis-
tol was in my face before l could lay
hand to my own.
Good evening"" said /.
You have money about you. doubt
less growled the man curly, and in
voice that made me start. For by his
voice and figure in the dusk l knew him
for Captain Settle and in the sorrel
with the high white stocking l recog-
nized the mare, Molly. that poor An
thony Killigrew had given me almost
with his last breath.
The bully did not know me, having but
seen me for an instant at The Crown
and then in very different attire.
Il have but a few poor coins" | an
swered.
Then hand EN- over"
"Be shot if | doi' said / in a passion;
and pulling out handful from my
pocket, dashed them down in the road.
For a moment the Captain took his
pistol from my face. and stopped to
clutch at the golden coins as they trickled
and ran to right and left The next, l
had struck out with my right fist, and
down he went staggering. His pistol
dropped out of his hand and exploded
between my feet. l rushed to Molly,
caught her bridle,- and leaped on her
back 1t was near thing, for the cap
tain was rushing toward us. But at the
call of my voice the mare gave bound
and turned; and down the road L was
borne, light as feather.
A bullet whizzed past my ear; heard
the Captains rageful shout mingle with
the report and then was out of range,
and galloDing through the dusk.
Secure of pursuit, and full of delight
In the mares easy motion, | must have
Travelled a good six miles before the
moon rose. In the frosty sky her rays
sparkled cheerfully, and by them | saw
on the hol ,ers the silver demi-bear that
/ knew to be the crest of the killigrews,
having the fellow to it engraved on my
sword hilt. SO now | was certain it was
Molly that | bestrode. and took occar
sion of the light to explore the holsters
and saddle flap.
Poor AnthoEys pistols were gone
filched, no doubt by the Captain; but
you may guess my satisfaction when OH
thrusting my hand deeper, | touched
heap of coins and found them TO he gold.
1t was certainly rare bargain l had
driven with Captain Settle. For the five
or six gold pieces | scattered on the road
| had won close on thirty guineas, MS ]
counted in the moonlight; not to speak OF
this Incompatible Molly. And | began
to whistle gleefully, and taste the joke
over again and laugh to myself, as we
cantered along with the north wind at
our backs.
All the same. l ha- no relish for riding
thus till morning. For the night was
chill enough to search my very bones,
and. moreover. l knew nothing of the
road, which at this hour was quite de-
serted So that. coming ut length to a
tall hill with black ridge of pine wood
standing up against the moon like ish's
fin, | was glad enough to note below it,
and at some distance from the trees.
window brightly lit, and pushed for
ward in hope of entertainment.
The building was an inn, though n
sorry one. Nor, save for tie lighted win
dow, did it wear any grace of hospi-
tally Round the house. aud into the
main yard the wind howled like a beast
in pain / climbed off Molly, and press
ing my hat down on my head, struck a
loud rat-tat on the door.
Curiously, it opened at once, and l
saw a couple of men in the lighted pas
sage.
Heard the mares heels on the road,
Cap Hillo! What in the iend's name
is this?"
Said L. If you are he that keeps this
house. l want two things of you-frst,
civil tongue, and next bed"
yen get neither then
"You keep an inn?"
"Aye-the Three Cups; but we're
full"
Your manner of speech proves that
to be lie
1 liked the fellows voice so little that
tits odds | would have remounted Molly
and ridden away; but Mt this instant
there doated down the stairs and ont
through the passage sound that made
me jump Twas a girls voice singing:
turned sharply toward the landlord
The second man. that till now had stood
well back in the shadow. was peering
forward and devouring Molly with his
gaze. Twas hard to read his features
but then and there l would have wag-
cred my life lie was no other than Luke
Settles comrade, Black Dick.
My mind was mace up. III not ride
a step turtle. to-nig4t," said |.
Then bide there and freeze"
CHAPTER Y.
Tho landlord WAS for Slamming the