The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-03-21
He limped into the dark

vanished. He limped into the dark
ness.
Twas no more than two minutes
later that | heard voices in the door,
way. and next came Timothy GrubDe
into the night, in talk with some one.
At which it took me about 80 sec
onds to whip me into the seat ana pun
the coachman's cloak about me, SO
that l sat stark and black in the star
light. Grubbe left the man he talked
with and came forward.
"You shall drink when we reach
Gotham, Crossway," says he. look
ing up at me, ''and mind your ways.
d-n ye.''
And at that he made no more ado,
but humming an air he lurched into
the carriage l pulled out the nags,
and turned their heads so that they
were set for the north. And then
whistled low and short-a whistle
knew that the mare would heed and |
trusted she would bring her compan-
ion with her. Then the wheels roll
ed out upon the road and Timothy
Grubbe and l were bound for London
all alone.
AS turned up the London road that
swept steeply up the downs / looked
back, and behind the moon shone
family on Calypso, and behind her
came on the dead man wagging awk-
wardly in his stirrups.
l pushed the horses up the sleeps
of the London road as fast as might
be, but the ruts were still deep in
mud, and the carriage jolted and rock
ed and swayed as we went. The wind
came now with little moaning sound
from the bottom of the valley, and the
naked branches creaked above my
| head. for that way was sunken and
| tangled with the thickets Of nut and
yew. And presently l was forced to
| go at foot pace, so abrupt was the
height, the moon struck through the
! trees, and peered on US, and Grubbe
| put his head forth of the window.
why go you no faster, d-n ye?"
says he, being much in liquor.
"'Tis the hill, your honor" said I.
He glanced up and down.
What is't comes up behind?" says
| he shouting. There is a noise of
horses that pounds upon the road"
"'Tis the wind" says 7, that comes
of the valley, and makes play among
the branches"
He sank back in his seat, and we
went forward slowly. But he was
presently out again, screaming on
the night:
There is a horseman behind" says
he. what does he there%
"'Tis traveller, your honor" says
l, shat goes no doubt by our road,
and is bound for London"
He shall be bound for HI" says
he, and falls back again.
The horses wound up foot by foot
and emerged now upon space Of bet
ter light. / looked round, and there
was Grubbe, with his head through
the window and his eyes cast back
ward.
What fool is this" says he. shat
rides so awkwardly and drives a
spare horse? If he ride no better /
will ask him to keep me company, If
he be gentleman. Many gentlemen
have rode along Of me, and have rode
to the gallows tree, and he chuckled
harshly.
Maybe he will ride with you to the
Gallows Gate, SIR" says /.
why, Crossway," says he, laughing
aloud, you have turned wit" says
he; and once more withdrew his
head.
BY now we were right to the top OF
the down, and could see the faint
shadow of the Triple Beam. With
that / knew my journey was done
and that my work must be accomplish
ed. pulled to the horses on the rise
and got down from my seat. why
dye stop, rascal?" called Grubbe in q
fury, but was by the door now and
had it open.
Timothy Grubbe," said I, ''ye're q
d-n rogue that the devil your master
wants and he shall have ye."
He stared at me in 9 maze. his nos
trils working, and then says he in 9
low voice:
SO, It's your!
your time has come, Timothy.
said 1, flinging on my cloak, and / tool
my sword Out with you, worm!"
He said never word, but stepped
forth and looked about him. He wa!
sobered now, as / could see from hi.
face, which had strange look on 1t
"Ye're two rascals to one, Dick,
says he slowly, looking on the deat
man and his horse which had com,
to stop in the shadows.
NO." says l. This gentleman will
see fair play for US"
Grubbe took step backward. "Sir,
says he, addressing the dead man, Blu
at that moment Calypso and her com
panion started and came into the opel
and the moon shone on the face of tn