The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-02-16
SILVER SPUR
20
".

ground beyond South Hincksey. with n
shrcwd northeast wind at my back. could
I spare time for q second backward look.
I pulled out the letter that Anthony had
given me. In the moonlight the brown
smear Of his blood was plain TO see rua-
ming across the superscription:
ITO our trusty aud weli-belovcd Sir
Ralph Hopton At our Army In Cornwall
these"
'Twns no more than I looked for. ret
the sight of Il and the Kings red seal
ouickened my step as j set OF again.
Aud I cared not a straw for DIR. Kettles
wrath on the morrow.
Having no desire 10 fall In with any
Of the royal outposts that lay around
Abingdon. I fetched well away 20 the
west. meaning TO shape my curse for
Faringdon. and 90 into the great Bath
road. lis not my purpose TO describe
at any length my itinerary, but rather
to reserve my pen for those more moving
events that overlook me later.
Twas about 3 In the evening. and
still laboring along. when. over the low
hedge 10 my right. q man on n sorrel
mare leaped easily 40 a swallow. and
slighted seme ten PAGES or less In front
OF me; where he dismounted and stood
barring my path. The muxxle Of his pis'
toi was In my face before I could lay
hand TO my OWE
Good evening"" said I.
"You have money about you. doubt
lsss." growled the man CURLY. and In q
voice that made me start. For by his
voice and figure In the dusk I knew him
a.. r,s.t. 0-sttx. al L. eAA 1000
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 ut The Crown"
and then In very different attire.
II have but a few poor coins" I an
swered.
Then hand EN- over"
BE shoe IL I do" said ! in a passion
and pulling out a handful from my
pocket, l dashed them down In the road.
For a moment the Captain took his
pistol from my face. and stopped 10
clutch nj the golden coins as they trickled
and ran TO right and left. The next,
had struck out with my right fist. aud
down he went staggering. His pistol
dropped out OF his hand and exploded
between my feet. | rushed to Molly,
caught her bride. and leaped on her
back. IL was q near thing. for the cap
tain was rushing toward US. But at the
call OF my voice the mare CAV q bound
and turned: and down the road j was
borne. light as a feather.
A bullet whixzcd past my ear; ! heard
the Captains rageful shout mingle with
the report: and then was out OF range.
and gallopins through the dusk.
Secure Of pursuit. and full Of delight
In the mares easy motion, 1 must have
Travelled a good six miles before the
moon rose. In the frosty sky her rays
sparkled cheerfully. and by them l saw
on the holsters the silver demi-bear that
I knew 10 be tho crest OF the Kiiligrcws.
having the fellow to IL engraved on my
sword hilt. SO now I was certain IL was
Molly that ] bestrode. and took occa-
sion of the light 20 explore the holsters
and saddle Zap.
Poor Anthony's pistols were gone
nlched. no doubt. by the Captain; but
you may guess my satisfaction when on
thruxting my hand deeper. | touched n
nNuU VI euliN ahu AouhA AAtuA y w NpAe.
IL was certainly a rare bargain l had
driven with Captain Settle. For the Eve
or six gold pieces l scattered on the o
I had won close on thirty guineas, as ]
counted In the moonlight: not TO speak OF
this incompatible Molly. And l began
TO whistle gleefully. and taste the joke
over again and laugh TO myself. ~ we
cantcred along with the north wind Mt
our backs.
All the same. ! hao no relish for riding
thus till morning. For the night was
chill enough TO search my very bones,
and, moreover. ! knew nothing Of the
road. which ut this hour was quite de-
serted. SO that. coming at length TO a
tall hill with n black ridge OF pine wood
standing up against the moon like a fsh's
On, I wal glad enough 10 motto below IL.
and at some distance from the trees. a
window brightly lit. and pushed for
ward In hope OF entertainment.
The building was an Inn. though 4
sorry one. Nor. save for the lighted win
dow. did IL wear any grace OF hospi'
tally. Round the house, and into the
main yard the wind howled Ike n beas,
In pain. I climbed OF Molly. and press
Ing my hat down on my head. struck
loud rat-tat on the door.
C~uriously. IL opened ut once, and ]
saw a couple OF men in the lighted pas
sage.
"Heard the mares heels on the road
Cap Hillo! What in the iend'S nam,
n thisT"
Said /: "If you are he that keeps thi,
house. I want two things OF you-6rst
q civil tongue. and next n bed"
"Yell get neither, then"
"You keep an innT"
"Aye-the Three Cups; but we'r,
FULL"
"Your manner of speech proves thai
% be a lie"
I liked the fellows voice 80 little that
tbs odds l would have remounted MOLLY
aud ridden away; but at this instant
there aoated down the stairs and out
through the passage a sound that made
me jump. Twas n girls voice singing:
turned sharply toward the landlord
The second man, that till now had stood
well back In the shadow. was pcerine
forward and devouring Molly with hl,
gaze. Twas hard 10 read his features
but then and there l would have waE,
cred my life he wns no other than Luke
Settles comrade. Black Dick.
My mind was made up. I'm not ride
q step further tonight" said /.
Then bide there and freeze"
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