The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-05-19
THE MASTER OF APPLEBY:
$--- BY Francis Lynde. --
BY Francis Lynde.
CHAPTER vii.-continued.


had been chosen for it's very hazards,
the better to throw the partisans off
the scent. l listened eager for every
word, but when the horses stirred
behind me l was set back
upon the o~ft-recurrent un~der-thought
of O the gloom did also hide a silent
figure lying prone, with the three bride
reins knotted round Its wrist.
But though the unnerving under
thought would not begone, the scene
within the great room held me fast by
eye and ear. The master and his factor
sat apart, their heads together over
the knotty problem Of subsistence for
The convoy troop. At the table-end.
with the bottle gurgling now at one
tight hand and now at another. the
three kings men drank confusion to
the rebels. and In the intervals dis
cussed the powder-convoy's route
across the mountains. The senior plot
ter had some map or chart OF his own
making. and he was pricklng out on
IT for Falconnet the route agreed upon
in council with the Cherokees.
At this cool outlaylng of the working
plan, some proper sense OF what this
plot of savage-arming meant to every
undefended cabin on the frontier seized
and thrilled me. l knew. as every Dor
der-born among US knew, the dismal
horrors of an Indian massacre: and
this these men were planning was
treacherous murder on an unwarned
people. All was to be done In mid
night secrecy. Supplied with ammuni-
ton, the Cherokees. led by this Cap
tain Stuart or some other. were first
to fall upon the over-mountain settle
ments. These laid waste, the Indians
were to form a junction with the army
of invasion. and so to add the torch
and a awk n scalping knife to
British swords and muskets.
1t was a plot to make the blood run
cold In my veins, or in the veins Of
any man who knew the cruel temper Of
these savages and when 1 thought up
on the fate of my poor countrymen be-
yond the mountains, l saw what lay be-
fore me.
The settlers must be warned in time
to fight or fly.
But while I listened. with every fac
ulty alert to reckon with the task Of
rescue, I AXE no shame In saying that
the problem baked me. Lacking the
strength to mount n ride In my own
proper person, there was nothing for
It but to Inc q messenger; and who
would he be in a region at the moment
distraught with wars alarms. and
needing every man for self-defense?
At that, I thought of Jennifer. True,
he was wounded. too: but he would
know how best to pass the word to
those in peril. I made full sure he'd
find a way II I could reach him; and
when I had 1t simmered down to this.
the problem simpllfed Itself. I must
have speech with Dick before the night
was out. though I should have to crawl
on hands and knees the half score
miles to Jennifer House.
Having decided, I was keen to be
about 1t while the night should last
the friendly darkness. and some fine
flush of excitement which again had
come at need to take the place Of
healthful vigor. But when I would
have quit the window to begone Upon
layed me. II my simple counterpart
should fail, some knowledge of the
powder-convoy's route would be Of
prime Importance. Lacking the time
to warn the over-mountaln men, the
next best thing would be to set some
band of patriot troopers upon the trail
and so to overtake the convoy. Nay.
on this second thoughts rehearsing the
last expedient seemed the better of the
two, since thus the plot would come to
naught and we would be the gamers
by the capture Of the powder.
So now you know why I should stick
and hang by toe and flnger-tip and
glare across the little space that capped
between my itching fingers and the bit
- hooS toth llollA ~
hand around the tables end. If I
could make a shift to rob them of this
map
1t was a desperate chance. but In
the frenzy of the moment I resolved
to take 1t. Their placings round the
table favored me. Gilbert Stair and
the lawyer sat fair across from me, but
they were still intent upon their fgur-
ings. OF the trio at the tables end, the
baronet n the captain had their
backs to me. The younger officer sat
across. and he was staring broadly at
my window, though with wine-fogge
ayes that saw not far beyond the bot
tle-neck, I thought.
My one hope hinged upon the bold
ness of a dash. II / could spring with
in and sweep the two candlesticks from
the table, there was a chance thai I
might snatch the parchment in the
darkness and confusion and escape as
/ had come.
So I began by inches to draw me up
and feel for some better launching hold.
But In the midst, for all my care and
caution. I slipped and lost my grip up
on the easement; lost that and got an
other on the wooden shutter opened
back against the outer wall, and then
went down. pulling the shutter from It's
rusted hinges in crashing clamor AT to
rouse the dead.
AS II they were quick echoes, other
~crashings followed as of chairs flung
back; and then the window lust above
me filled with crowding figures. I mar
vel that I had the wit to lie quiet as
had fallen, but I had; and those above,
looking from a lighted room into the
belly of the night saw nothing. Then
Captain Stuart shouted to his dragon
householder
"Ho! Tom Garget: this way. mani"
he cried: and when he had no answer,
put a leg across the window seat to
Chamber out. Twas In the very act,
while I was watching catlike every
movement, that I say the precious
scrap of parchment in his hand.
Here was the chance / had prayed
for. Tom Garget's sword had clattere6
down beside me. and with 1t / sprans
afoot. and cut a whizzing circle by mi
doughty captains ear that made hin
cringe and gasp and all but tumbl,
out upon me-. The bit of parchment
futtered down and in q trice / had l
safe.
You may think small OF me, II 8,
you must, my dears, when l confes
what followed after. No. man is brave
than his opportunity, and I had littl
stomach for ! 8 fight with three un
wounded men. Hence it was narrowe
now to a bold sortie for the horses
and this I made while yet the capital
hung In air and sought his foothold.
With all my 'breathless haste 1t wa
not done too soon. nor soon enough
When I had quickly freed a horse fror
the dead hand that held 1t tethered, an
was making shift to climb into the sad
die, they thronged upon me: the cap
tain from his window, the others pour