Urith: A Tale of DartmoorBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
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Urith: A Tale of Dartmoor
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Dartmoor (England) -- Fiction
Anthony looked back. Strange was the appearance of the moor side,
half-lighted by the skies reddened with the reflection of fires beyond
the hills, but with its surface travelled ever by sparks. An imaginative
mind might have thought that mountain gnomes were alert, and were
rambling torch in hand over the moor. Now one red spark wandered along
in solitude, then out flashed a second, and ran to meet it; as if they
were the lights of comrades hailing each other. Suddenly a score
sparkled and danced in a ring, and were as suddenly extinguished. Or it
might be supposed that the spirits of the primeval tin-workers had
returned to earth once more, and were revisiting their ancient circles
and avenues of stone, to perform in them the rites of a forgotten
religion.
To the south-east rose Mistor, one of the loftiest summits on the moor,
on whose rocky crest, scooped out by wind and water, is a huge circular
bowl, called by the natives the Devil's Fryingpan, in which he prepares
the storms that lash and explode on the moor. And now it really seemed
as though the Spirit of the Tempest were at work, brewing in his bowl.
In the strange after-glow that partially lighted the hill-side could be
seen dark figures descending the Lyke-Way, and approaching the ford
where Anthony was vainly endeavouring to force his cob to cross.
Anthony uttered an oath, and then redoubled his attempts to drive the
brute into the water. But it came to the edge, snuffed, and recoiled.
"What is it?" asked Urith, still watching the pursuing shadows.
Urith ran back over the stones.
"Only some folks coming after us. By heaven! I wish I could get this
cursed beast over."
"If you take the bridle on one side, I on the other, and coax the horse,
we can cross by the double stones, and he can go in the middle."
"As the bearers with the dead," said Anthony.
Urith patted the frightened beast, talked to him, praised him, and
taking the bridle, quietly led him down to the stream. Ever and anon,
she turned to look back, and saw the shadowy figures rapidly nearing.
Who could they be? Would they recognise her? Were they such as would be
likely to recognise her? What, if they knew her, would they think of her
being at such a time, and in such a place, alone with Anthony Cleverdon?
Would it be advisable to step aside, and let these travellers pass
without seeing her? But she was too ashamed to make such a proposal to
her companion. So, as she was caressing the horse, and urging him into
the water, these pursuers, whoever they were, drew nearer. She could
distinguish that they were mounted.
Anthony stood on the stepping-stones on one side, Urith on those upon
the other. The frightened horse cautiously put his hoofs in, snuffed at
the water, began to drink, recovered confidence, and allowed himself to
be led along through the stream.
They were past the middle of the river when the pursuers came to the
side of the stream, and a loud male voice exclaimed----
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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