Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-09-22


er, and it was not easy To surprise
him when every nerve was aching
with premOnition. He saw the marks
of the hoOfs Of Sheila's and her moth
er'S horses in the road, knowing them
by the freshness of the indentations.
An hour, two hours passed. and they
then approached the monastprial ruin
Of which Boland had spoken. Here,
suddenly, Dyck dropped to the ground,
for he saw unmiStakahle signs Of fright
or furry in the h0Of-markS
He quickly made examination, and
there were signs of Women's feet and
also a bare native foot, but no signs
of struggle or disturbance. The foot
prints, both native and white. were
firmly placed. but the horses hOof-
prints showed agitation. Presently the
hOOfmarkS became more composed
again. suddenly one of Dycks sup
pOrterS exclaimed he had picked up
small piece of ribbon, evidently
dropped to guide those who might
come searching. Presently another
token was found in a loose bit of
buckle from a shoe. Then, suddenly,
upon the middle of the road was a little
pool of blood and signs that a body
had lain in the dust.
''She shot a native here" said DyCk
to his companions morosely, yet coolly.
There are no signs of a struggle"
remarked the most observant.
"Well, we must 20 carefully here,
for they may have been imprisoned in
the ruin. You stay here, and I'll go
forward" he added. with a hand on
his sword. I've got an idea they're
here We have one chance, my lads
and let's keep our heads. If anything
should happen to me, have try your
selves, and see what you can do. The
ladies must be freed, if they're there.
There's not one Of you that won't
stand by to the last, but l want your
oath upon it. BY the heads or graves
of your mothers, lads, you'll see it
through! Up with your hands,"
Their hands went up. by our
mothers heads or graves" they said
in low tones.
Good" he replied. "Tll 90 on
ahead. If you hear a call, or Il shot
fired, come forward swiftly"
An instant later he plunged into the
woods to the right of the road, by
which he would come upon the ruins
from the rear. He held Il pistol as he
stole carefully yet quickly forward
He was anxious there should he no
delay, but he was equally anxious
not to be rash. At last, without meet
ing anyone, he came near to the ruins.
They showed serene in the shade of
the trees.
Then suddenly he saw come from
the ruins a Maroon of fierce yet not
cruel appearance who laid hand be-
hind his ear, and looked steadfastly
toward that part Of the wood where
Dyck was. 1t was clear he had heard
something. Dyck did not know how
many Maroons there might be in the
ruins, or near it, and he did not at
tack. It was essential that he find
out the strength of his foe; and he re-
manned quiet. Presently the native
turned as though to go back into the
ruins, but changed his mind, and be-
gan to make tour of the stony,
ruined building Dyck waited, and
presently he saw more natives come
| from the ruins, and after Il moment
another three. These last were hav-
ing an argument of some stress for
| they pulled at each others arms and
legs and even caught at the long
"They've got the ladies there"
thought Dyck, "but they've done them
no harm yet" He waited some mo-
ments longer to see if more natives
were coming out, then said to himself:
'I'll make a try for it now. 1t won't
| do to run the risk of going back to
bring my fellows up. It's fair risk,
| but it's worth taking"
With that he ran softly forward to
the entrance of the ruins from which
he had seen the men emerge. Look
| ing in he. saw only darkness. Then
suddenly he gave a soft call, the call
of an Irish bird-note which all people
!
| in Ireland-in the west and south of
Ireland-knOw. If .Sheila was alive
and in the place she would answer it,
| he was sure. He waited a moment,
and there was@nO answer. Then he
called again.. and. in. an instant, as
| though from a great distance, there
came the reply of the same note,
clearer and more bell-like than his
! own. ---..-
"She's there" he said, and boldly
entered the place.
1t was dark and damp, but ahead
was a break in the solid mOnOtOny of
ruined wall, and he saw clear stream
of light beyond. He stole ahead, got
over the stone distractions, and came
on to a bggish room which once had
been a refectory. Looking round 1t
| he saw three doOrs-One evidently led
into the kitchen, one into a pantry,
and one into hall 1t was clear the
women were alone, or some one would
have come in answer to his call. Who
| oil ,,rhn hot