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

signify northwest, ana II they go as
l think they meant to do, they would
come back the way yIu came in"
"They were armed" Dyck asked
sharply, for thought of the ladies ar
irving by the route he came by made
him fearful.
yes, they were armed" was the re-
ply. Miss Llyn had a small pistol.
She learned to carry one in Virginia
and she has done so ever since we
came here"
Listen, Boland," said Dyck, with
some alarm. up there in the hills by
which we came are Maroons hidden,
and they will invade this place tonight.
We were ready to fight them, of
course, as We came, but it's risky
business, and we wanted to get them
all if possible. 1t wouldn't have been
possible if we had charged them there,
for they were well ambushed. My idea
was to let them get into the open be-
tween there and here, and catch them
as they came. 1t would save our own
men, and it would probably do for
them. If Mrs. and Miss Llyn come
back that way, they will be in much
greater danger than we We're, for the
MarOOns were coming here to capture
the ladies and hold them as hostages;
and they would not let them pass, as
they did us. In any case, the risk is
immense. The ladies must be got to
Spanish Town, for the MaroonS are
desperate. They have placed their men
in every part of the middle and west
ern country, with orders what to do,
and they came upon my place last
evening and were defeated. Several
were killed and one taken prisoner.
The trouble is they can't be marched
upon like an army. Their powers of
ambush are too great. They must be
run down by bloodhounds. It's the
only way"
"Boodhounds-there are no blood
hounds here ~ said Darius Boand.
"And if there were, wouldn't pious
England make fuss?"
Dyck Calhoun was about to speak
sharply, but he caught a CLINT of
sarcasm in Darius BoIand's face, and
he said: Il have the blOodhOundS.
They're outside the harbor now, and as
soon as they're landed l intend to use
them"
IF the governor allows you" re-
marked Darius Boland sarcaStiCally.
Gle does not like you or your blood
hounds. He has his orders, 50 he
says"
Dyck made an impatient gesture.
II will not submit to his order. l
have earned my place in this island,
way. . But we must wait no longer.
The ladies must be brought to Spanish
Town, and placed where the COVER
nor's men can protect them"
Darius BOland bowed. "What you
say goes always" he remarked, "hut
tell me, sir, who will take the ladies
to Spanish Town"
Dyck Calhoun frowned. He read
the inner meaning of Darius BOland's
words. They did not put him out of
self-control, however. 1t was not a
time to dwell on such things. 1t was
his primary duty to save the ladies.
"Come, Boland," he said sharply. 81
shall start now. Wherever the ladies
are, we must find them. What sort of
a country is it through which they
pass over there?" He pointed.
bad enough in some ways. There's
an old monastery of the days Of the
Spaniards up there"-he pointed-"or
the ruins of one, and it is a pleasant
place to rest. l doubt not they rested
there, if"
"If they reached it" remarked
DyCk with crisp infection. Yes they
would rest there-and it would be a
good place for ambush for the
Maroons, Ell? It's a d-nable predica.
ment-no you must not come with
mel You must keep command here
He hastily described the course tc
be followed by those Of his own men
who remained to defend, and then
said: Our horses are tagged. If you
can loan us four I'll see they are well
taken care of, and are returned| in
kind or cash. I'll take three of my
men only, and loan you three OF. the
best. Well fill our knapsacks and gel
away, Boland.'
A few moments later, Dyck Calhoun
and his three companions, with a-gnide
added by BOEand, had started away W
the road which had been ridden by
Mrs. Llyn and Sheila. One thing was
clear, the Maroons on the hill did not
know of the absence of Sheila and
her mother, or they would not be wait
ing. He did not like the long absence
of the ladies'. 1t was ominous at sucl
time.
Dyck and his small escort got away
by a road unseen from where the
Maroons were, and when well ava!
put their horses to a canter and go
into the hills. Once in the woods, how
ever, they rode alertly, and Dyck'S
eyes were everywhere. He was quick
to see a bush move, to observe the
flick of a branch, to catch the faintes
sound of an animal origin. He was
ObseSsed with anxiety, for he had {
Il fnn, cop,n III bnJ