The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-04-04
The Turtle-D0ves
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.)
A Dick Ryder Tale
By H. b. INSTRUMENTATION

Ills not the first face of a predica-
mcnt that is always the right aspect,
and men may, as often as not by hold
ing their peace, come at the heart Of
the matter, always provided there Is
naught in the case to make the blood
sing. Nevertheless there was in the
meeting with Sir Damon Boil that
which pleased me nightly, at least in
the end. Indeed, twas rare piece Of
chicanery from the outset, what time
left the Bears Head in chaise and
two horses of my own for EPSON, like
any gentleman with an important
Journey of his own before him.
When the position was come out by
Streatham and was for making across
the heath, the moon, that was half and
bright. struck into the lowering clouds,
and the open waste glowed Of sud-
den swiftness. The window Of the
chaise was open and the air streamed
in, but could make out little with my
peppers because of the blackness. And
here there was savage rocking Of the
body of the chaise. and a cracking as
popped forth my head and roared to
the position, cursing him for his
clumsiness, and he cursing back at the
horses; and between US there was
nobleman (save mel upon his travels
with a rascal on whom he might let
loose his tongue, and be not question
ed I espied a blacker shadow in the
blackness about the heath.
II held my eye q moment, for /
know 1t well enough to be the figure Of
Z man, and then it darted into nearer
view; and the light, lettering at the
same instant, showed me fellow with
q hat askew on the back of his head,
q heavy pistol at the stand-and-deliver,
and face under dark mask at the
chaise's edge.
Now you will conceive 1t was an odd
situation for Galloping Dick to be thus
waylaid and handled after the manner
Of his own craft, though this was not
ed But to that you will add this, that
there was that in his air, as in his
voice, and in the very swagger of his
challenge, which showed me here was
no ordinary tobyman. So ! says to
myself, silently gazing in his pistol:
"What have we irere?" and then aloud
said l: "Sirrah, what do you?" In
lordly tone.
Faith" says he, not lowering his
pistol. but speaking in rollicking
way. "be not my words plain. brave
knights, or must / make 'em bark?'
"Oh." said I, in hesitating way,
"then are you gentleman OF the
road. rascal?"
-You honor me to put name upon
me-" said he. with an inclination OF
his head. For myself, l should desire
20 go unnamed. SO as to escape the
periis of the law"
II ask your indulgence, Captain,
said /. in another voice; there is a
packet would fain keep"
"Pish, I must have all or none" he
interposed. Yes am in mood to In
dulge you, so be you give me your
hand on paper that I took all on YOU "
Il will do that" said I, after a
pause, III you VIII iet this uoSulieu,
that Is important to none but myself
remain. have 60 guineas also"
His pistol was still at my head, and
made search for my purse and gave
It to him, the which he pocketed with
ont so much as examining 1t.
And for this warranty" said he. y
hare GULL and paper" whereat | knew
that was upon the right thought. He
nut a hand into his pocket. but being
by now unsuspecting that he had any
10 deal with save mild sheep, he
Maid little heed to his earlier precau
lions: and the next l had his pisto
hand in my clutch. He was taxer
apack at the first, but struggled game
Nv. though QLord save usD he was nj
match for me. With a twist OF thu
wrist his pistol fell to the road with
ann clank, and presently l had th'
door of the chaise open and was grip
ming him in the darkness. And nov
:twss my barker that was against hi
forehead.
He uttered a little .reckless laugh