The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-10-20
THE MASTER OF APPLEBY|
I- BY Francis Lyndo. -----1
BY Francis Lynde.

'''>NA ~ tiA
of me.
Twas not that | was less willing To
pay the price of eXpiatiOn; that must
be done in any case. But ! had seer
the enemy, and all the soldier in me re-
belled at the thought of dying like a
noosed bullock in the shambles. Could
| but strike that one good blow
The old court house of our greater
Meckneburg was such as some of you
may remember: I stout wooden build
ing raised upon brick pillars to leave a
story underneath. In the time of the
british occupation this lower story
served as a market house. and the pub
was reached by steps on the outside
In my boynood days this outer stair
was the only one: but now in wander
ing almleSSlN through the market-place
beneath, found another flight
IN a corner; the Jury stair"
they called 1t. since 1t pro-
jury box above.
The sight of this inner stair set me
plotting. Could l make use of 1t to
come unseen into the council chamber
of LORD CORVALLIS and his officers?
The market place was we'll thronged
with vendors n soldier buyers: the
patriotic Mecklenburgers were not
aVerse to the turning Of an honest
penny upon the needs Of their OPP
pressors, as 1t seemed l watched my
chance, and when there were no prying
eyes to mark 1t, made the dash up the
steps.
Happily for the success of the ad-
venture there was an angle in the mar
row stair to hide me whilst lifted the
trap door In the court room tloor a
scant half inch and got my bearings.
AS had hoped, the trap opened behind
the jury box, and l was able to raise it
cautiously and so to draw myself up
into the room above, unseen and UNI
heard.
y peer around the corner of the high
jury stalls showed me my lord and his
suite gathered about the lawyers table
In font of the bar. OF the staff l rec
ogn1zed only Stedman. the commissary
general; Tarlaton, looking something
the worse for his late Illness; Major
anger, his second In command, and
the young 1rishman, Lord Rawdon.
At the of my espial. Corn
wallis was speaking, and l drew back to
listen, Well enough content to be in
earshot. Fer if my good angel had
timed my coming L could no: have ar
rived at a more opportune inoment.
What we ave to consider now is
how best to reach Ferguson with an
express Instantly his lordship was
saving. This rising of the over-moun-
tain men is likely to prove a serious
matter-not only for the major, but
for the kings cause in The two prov
inces. Lacking positive orders to the
contrary. Ferguson will fght-we all
know that; and If he should be de-
feated twill hopelessly undo his work
among the border loyaiists and set us
back another twelvemonth."
Then your lordship will order him
to come in with what he has?" said a
voice which I knew for Colonel Tar
letoM's.
"Instanter, had 1 a sure man to
send
"Pshaw. l can find you a hundred
amongst the late royalist recruits"
Twas young Lord Rawdon Who said
this.
Damn them!" said his lordship
shortly: 4 would sooner trust this
new aide of mine. He comes straight
from the major and car find his way
back again"
Iarleton laughed. II fear we shall
never agree upon him my lord. l
know not how he has made his peace
with YOU, but l Go assure you ne is as
great "A rascal as ever went unhung.
It's true. as you say, l did not go into
the particulars; but We're Captain Stu
art or Sir Francis Falconnet here.
either of them would convince your
iordship in a twinkling."
There was silence for a little space
following the colonel denunciation of
the, and then my lord broke it to say:
Il may not be SO credulOus as YOU
think. Colonel. Rebel spy or true-blue
loyalist, he is safe enough for the pres
ent. In the meantime in this matter
OF reaching Ferguson We may make
good use of him"
In what manner, your lordship?"
asked one whose voice 1 did not rec
ognize.
He has come straight from Major
Ferguson. as l say; and, loyalist or
rebel, he can find his way pack to Gill
bert Town."
But you'll never be trusting him
with dispatches" said Lord Rawdon.
There is no need to trust him. He
can be given the dispatches with some
hint of their purport, and of'how much
the kings cause will profit by their
safe delivery"
Again a silence fell upon the group
around h lawyers table, n then
some one-'twas Major Hanger. as I
thought-said: Ills an unread riddle
for me as yet. my iord.''
CORVALLIS laughed. Where are your
wits this morning, gentleman? If he be
loyal and true, the dispatches will go
safe enough. If, on the other hand, he
be a rebel and a spy. he will doubt
less tamper with them; but in that
case he will non the less ride straight
OllSu6Il " N1dJOI eISuSOIl > n~edUuOar-
ters In the west"
HIN, your lordship is still too deer
for me-" said Tarleton's second in COM
mand. If he be a rebel and a spy,
why. in Gods name, should he carry
your lordship's letters to any but some
rag-tag colonel of his own kidney?"
My lord laughed again. Truly, Ma
jor, you should go to a DANES schoo
and learn diplomacy. If we tell him
beforehand what our OBJECT Is, how
could any rebel OF them all defeat it
more surely than by going to Ferguson
with a garbled message that would
make him stand and fight a losing bat
tle?"
But, my lord-the risk!" cut in the
comlnissary general.
There need be none. An hour afte,
he sets out VIZ shall send a mountet
detail. after him with an Indian trackel
to nose out his trail. The lieutenan!
In command will carry duplicate dis
patches. AT the worst, Ireton will
guide these followers to Ferguson:
rendezvous; and, so far as we know, hi
Is the only man who knows eNactl.
where to find the major"
I had heard enough. Under owe o
the chorus of braves raised by Lore
~Cornwallis's exploitation of his plo
within a plot, I lifted the trap door an,
} made my exit as noiselessly IS l ha,
, come.
Guessing that no time would be los
In putting the plan into action, l mad
J haste to be found inquiring hither an,
yOn for the commander in chief whel