Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-04-19
CHAPTER NIN.

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more than once. was perched up
on the heights that crown the
western precincts of the Gwent.
Beyond 1t and still farther west the
forest descended into neither valleys
that led toward 4 district OF mines and
furnaces. Sercombe and Hood might
have secreted the treasure in any
square yard Of this broken tract of
many miles. The chance Of happening
upon it save by the guidance of some
know il which direction TO look for q
clew. From our eyrie on the saddle of
the hill we looked out across the east
ern valley. In any Granny of that
rough and precipitous forest the gold
and the jewels and Sercombe's Greeks
might be at this moment slowed in
waiting for q safe conduct across the
hills.
Beat the Gwent.," had been Shep-
pard's phrase. and that was very much
what L expedition must come to.
We descended the wooded slopes upon
INS III AINC VI lLt SOISt, N1pp-
ping slowly from the castle. Few
roads traversed this region one. in
parts but an open track. running the
length OF the spur into the plain. the
others merely tracks of grass crossed
and recrossed by footpaths through the
great wilderness. The Gwent was very
sparsely settled, and the only tenants
Of these regions Were u few wood cut
tiers scattered among 10 nuts through
out the forest. 1t was into this silence
and desolation that We plunged in the
early hours of the night. Darkness
hung about US. conveying our steps
with blacker shadows from the copses.
At first progress was leisurely and the
walking through a plantation Of pine,
fairly easy. We had designed to strike
a road that ran over the spur south
ward. mainly out of a whim of Shep-
pard's that be could determine if any
carriage had passed that way.
These tracks are u~nfreguentel." lie
explained. not a pair of whre.s once
a week. and III guarantee if SercoG.6e
drove this way. which leads naturally
to the station at NreachHu. he la lcEt
his marks. There was rain last u:.,...'
had not SO much hope ~Nlyso,... i"t
his Plan was the only one leta",
and so we directed u steps 10, r.!
this crossroad. Down the valley enc
the cry of a cock pheasan. a.. -.
with a Whizzing ana wLir-ng f w.u-
a covey sailed out of the 4c *. lie
came a momentary buzz aL5,.t or
heads and disappeared into the bra.
en- beyond.
I'VE didn't startle those said Mont
gomery.
How do YOU know" | asked. though
the matter seemed Indifferent.
oh. know pheasants". said Mont
gomery emphatically. 'They've been
scared down in the bottom there"
You mean l began.
Don't lets talk so loud" urged the
boy. There's ONE one down there
The notion put new blood into us Ill.
n noise this time" said l. in warn
ing, and 10 discovery. Let US 90
ahead slowly"
1t was impossible to proceed through
that bracken without some sound, the
fern lay so thick about our legs. But
we moved With the utmost caution.
silently making for the distant patch
Of forest whence the pheasants had
started. No word was spoken be
tween us, but We communicated by
gestures. which were just visible in
the faint starlight. Ora wing close in
this manner. we halted at length upon
the margin Of the spot over which our
suspicious brooded. Sheppard crawled
stealthily forward. and after a time
we followed him. He caught my arm
and pointed to the ground.
Some one has passed here" he wits
pered. Were on a side track"
SO much the better" | answered in
the same voice. We shall make less
noise il walking
With that we resumed our way with
the same microscopic caution. and mus,
have covered, as l should guess, about
the quarter Of q mile. when suddenly
Sheppard came TO a pause.
Hear a%nything?' he murmured in
my ear.
shook my head.
Il believe they're just ahead-several
of them he continued. Step lightly.
for heavens sake.
needed no reminder, nor did Mont
gomcry. We were like a church service
for soIemnity, and crept rather than
walked as we stalked closer upon our
prey. Al! Of a sudden Montgomery,
who was walking just before me, drop
ped on his knee and moved his hand
back 10 me. | followed his example
and crawled on all fours toward him.
What IL itf" | asked