Americans -- England -- Fiction; West Country (England) -- Fiction
"Not that I knows about," answered Putt. "Master be like a
bull of Bashan--to say it with all respect. He've made Fox Tor
Farm shake to its roots. He's lamed two horses a'ready afore I
started, an' he's been tearing over the Moor since dawn, like the
Wild Hunter. He 'pears to think he's been hardly treated by
Providence; an' he's called down fire from Heaven, by all accounts,
on pretty near everybody as lives on Dartymoor. A proper
tantara, I warn 'e! God knows how 'twill end. He roareth against
all things but hisself."
"'Tis a shattering stroke," wept Miss Norcot, "and you are a
marvel, Peter, to bear it with such composure."
"Tut, tut! Get you home, you and Relton here. The marriage
is postponed. See her home, Relton, and bide my coming. I
may not be back for a day or two, but don't return to Exeter until
you hear from me."
Then he again addressed Putt.
"Ride back at once and direct your master to set a sharp watch
about Holne. They are lying close to-day; but they will doubtless
try for the coast at nightfall. First ascertain if Mr. Stark has
escaped again from the War Prison; next do all in your power to
capture the person of that groom. I've a hundred pounds for the
man who takes John Lee and keeps him fast. Now be off; and
let them know that I will be at Fox Tor Farm by midnight or
later."
His horse was waiting for him, and quite indifferent to the
crowd that had assembled round it, Peter mounted, bade the
children get out of his way, and galloped off with his man after
him. The disappointed bridegroom purposed to inform the
authorities and place patrols above Dartmouth, both upon the
roads and river.
As for Tom Putt, he rode home; while Miss Norcot and the
clergyman returned to Chagford.
At Fox Tor Farm, as the day wore on, wild turmoil reigned,
and the flock-master in fury was urging his exhausted labourers to
further efforts. Every spot for miles around about was searched;
the industrious Mark Bickford even tramped over Cater's Beam
and through Hangman's Hollow; but Grace Malherb, securely
hidden in Lovey's treasure-house, was beyond reach of discovery.
John Lee had laid his plans with care, and knowing that his
grandmother would stop at Prince Town until the completion of
the tunnel and the liberation of the Americans, he selected her
secret hiding-place for Grace. Here, until Lovey's next visit, she
was safe; but the miser would soon herself be flying hither with
her reward; and before that moment Grace must be gone.
"When she does come," said Lee on the night of the rescue,
"she'll bring some fat money-bags with her; and she'll have to
lie low henceforth, for if they catch her----"
"And there's danger for you too?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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