CHAPTER VIII.
END OF THE TRIAL.
QUIRE BLANCHARD rapped smartly on the table in front of him for order, before he said:
" You may try the bullet in the prisoner's gun, Woodranger."
Reaching forward and taking Norman's firearm, he held it in his left hand, with inverted muzzle, while he laid the bullet on the top. There the round piece of lead rested, being too large to drop down the long, slender throat. For the first time a murmur of applause was heard.
Gunwad stamped his foot, exclaiming :
" It isn't the weepon he had yesterday ! "
In answer to 'Squire Blanchard's questioning look, Woodranger said :
" I'm under oath."
The three short words, spoken so impressively by the man who would have sooner given his life than lie, were sufficient, — sufficient for all except the angry deer reeve.
"That will do for the present, Woodranger," declared the justice.
" Hol' on ! " exclaimed Gunwad. " I want to ask him a question."
" You will have plenty of time as soon as I have examined the prisoner."
Compelled to remain quiet, the deer reeve then listened to Norman's straightforward account of the little affair. Of course his version exactly agreed with what the Woodranger had given, and at its conclusion 'Squire Blanchard was frank enough to say:
"There doesn't seem to be sufficient evidence to hold the prisoner. The complainant fails to prove that it was his dog which started the deer, or that it was he who shot it, therefore, I command the release of Norman McNiel. But according to your own account of shooting at the hawk, young man, I should not advise you to have very high hopes at the shooting-match. This court stands adjourned. Now, boys, for the Three Pines ! "
A loud cheer greeted "his Honour's" unique way of dissolving his court, while the infuriated Gunwad pushed his way forward, crying, in a loud voice:
" Ye betrayed me, Woodranger! I thought ye wuz my fri'nd and ye proved my Judas ! It wuz a miserable sneak game to cheat me out'n my reward, but I'll hev the skunk wot fired thet shot, be he a white-livered furriner or a copper-skin."
The Woodranger managed to leave the room without coming in contact with the irate speaker. Some of those present tried to check the deer reeve's bitter utterances. The majority seemed well pleased with the way the trial had ended, though it had called forth several animated discussions among the spectators. Naturally the Scotch-Irish, to a man, complimented 'Squire Blanchard on his way of disposing of the case. This very state of satisfaction among those they so thoroughly disliked, however, awakened keen distrust among the Tyng colonists, who began to develop a strong opposition to the course the matter had taken. 'Squire Blanchard was the town's clerk, and one of the most active of the grantees. But some declared that he had favoured their rivals, though he had been perfectly honest in his treatment of the case. Gunwad, naturally, was determined to get what advantage he could from this mixed situation.
" It's nothin' but downright insult to 'low this young furriner to come in hyur an" shoot down our deer without regard to our laws. I ain't ag'in sayin' thet Cap'en Blanchard didn't 'vestigate as he oughter."
" Woodranger ain't inclined to the belief that the boy did it," ventured a bystander. "There ain't many who doubt the word of him. He fit with Lovewell and is parfectly honest."
As if the last was the natural result of the first act, and beyond dispute, the speaker retired in a satisfied manner.
" He lied in this ! " exclaimed Gunwad, but quickly qualifying his statement, for fear he had made it stronger than would be accepted. " At least he put it in sich light as to deceive the cap'en. A deer killin' itself, — the idee! He didn't give me a fair chance."
"Better let it drop here, Gunwad," said a friend. " No good will come of stirring the mess."
" Ef ye had been trod on as I hev ye wouldn't feel so easy erbout yit. I'd like to git er rope eround the hull Irish gang an' be th' one to shake 'em over Namaske! Bet yer life I w'u'dn't hoi' on to thet rope only long ernough to see thet they were in a way to git wet to their livers."
" Bet you wouldn't hold on to that rope any longer than I could get my fist on you, you little runt of a Britisher !" exclaimed a voice at his elbow, and turning about the deer reeve was startled to find the tall, muscular figure of young Hall confronting him.
" Better be careful how you talk such foolery here! " declared the latter. " Unless you want more trouble than you can handle."
The cowardly Gunwad offered no reply, breathing easier when the other had gone beyond hearing.
The shooting-match was an event important enough to arrest the attention of the spectators, and turn their thoughts into another channel than shooting deer out of season. The majority at once started toward the shooting grounds.
Still Gunwad remained just outside the house discoursing to a little group of listeners, who were in sympathy with him, on the grievous wrong he believed had been done him, and to embitter the others as much as possible against their rivals.
" I s'pose ye know who this young upstart is," he half questioned, and, as if to answer it himself, continued :
" I know as well as ef it was writ in a book. One o' 'em Irishers tole me, so I got it straight. They hate him like pizen, but don't like to let on. Ye all know th' Irishers air all refugees, an' thet they fust fled from Scotland for treason to th' king, who got arter 'em like a mad bull. They went to Ireland, which they soon had to quit fer more treason. Ye see it's in him, bone and blood. Finally they concluded to come to this kentry in a body, an' mus' needs git out in th' dark. Some o' their inimies got hoi' o' their scheme, but didn't let on. So when th' lot got ready to start they found their way stopped by armed men. They managed to git away, when some on 'em looked round for th' traitor, an' it weren't long afore th' Judas was found. He was Arch McNiel, this boy's father. He got away, but he killed two o' 'em afore he got clear. His escape didn't do him much good, fer he was shot dead on th' king's highway two days later. His wife, ol' man MacDonald's darter, took it so to heart she died right off. Thet left th' ol' Scotchman with th' boy on his hands, only he was a baby then. Now if there is enny ones I despise it's Judases, and it's sich fellers as th' McNiels as kem hyur to rob us o' our — "
No sooner had his release become known than one after another of the onlookers crowded around Norman to congratulate him, among the rest being Robert Rogers, who wrung his hand heartily.
"The 'squire was perfectly fair," he said. "Of course Gunwad had no proof against you. He is an evil man, anyway. If you had been sent to gaol there would have been some lively times in Old Harrytown, and some of the Londonderry boys might have had a finger in the stew."
" Such language is ill-timed," said the Woodranger. " I find it is well never to resort to wanton talk, as talking but leads to fighting. There is enough of that to do with the red men. The whites have enough to answer for in bounty on scalps of the misguided savages, without killing each other. Harrytown is not worth the spilling o' a drop o' innocent blood."
" I wish to thank you for your kindness to me, Woodranger," said Norman, improving his first opportunity to express his appreciation of the forester's proof of friendship. " I am sure if it hadn't been for you I should have had to go to Chelmsford."
" I was under oath, lad, and told of the affair just as it was. I'm very thankful I'm not given to deceiving. True, men resort to such manner o' doings when tracking the red man, but that is only the natural artifices o' warfare. In peace it is — "
" Look there, Woodranger! " interrupted young Rogers, pulling the speaker's sleeve ; "you upbraided me for talking trouble. Will you listen to the arguments of Gunwad ?"
At first the Woodranger was inclined to merely glance toward the man, whom it was evident he despised. But, as his gaze ran over the deer reeve and his knot of listeners, his countenance quickly changed its hue, and he became an intent hearer of the other's garbled account of Norman's father. He trembled from head to foot, and as Gunwad reached that point where he used the words "to rob us o' our" — the forester, with that swift, silent step so natural to him, glided to the deer reeve's side. Before the story-teller realised his presence, he seized him with one hand by the throat. As the powerful fingers tightened, their victim was lifted clear from his feet, and held at arm's length by the iron-like grasp of Woodranger.
The deer reeve could not utter a word, and he seemed in imminent danger of being choked to death, but he struggled violently to break from the hand which had so unexpectedly caught and held him like a huge bat twisting and squirming in mid-air.
" Utter another word o' sedition and I'll warp your head from your shoulders !" exclaimed the forester, sharply. "Let this be a warning to sich petty whippers and growlers as you," flinging the other to the ground, and striding away from the place as if escaping from some obnoxious creature.
This violent display of anger on the part of the Woodranger, who had never shown anything of the kind before, so startled the onlookers that not a word was spoken until he had gone beyond hearing. As soon as the dazed Gunwad had begun to recover his senses, he shook his fist after the retreating" forester, muttering maledictions he was careful the other should not hear. Fortunately the few left about the place did not care to engage in any row, so the affair was speedily forgotten, except by Gunwad, in the interesting and exciting scenes which followed.
As he strode away in righteous wrath, Woodranger caught Norman by the hand, saying :
" Come with me to the shoot, lad. I fear me much I've committed a foolish indiscretion in letting my temper run away with my jedgment. A man never knows his strength till he has tried his weakness.
Oh, the shoot will not detain you more than a couple o' hours. You will get home as soon as your grandfather will expect you. You have that shot at the hawk to redeem, and this is your time."
Back to top
END OF THE TRIAL.
| S |
QUIRE BLANCHARD rapped smartly on the table in front of him for order, before he said:
" You may try the bullet in the prisoner's gun, Woodranger."
Reaching forward and taking Norman's firearm, he held it in his left hand, with inverted muzzle, while he laid the bullet on the top. There the round piece of lead rested, being too large to drop down the long, slender throat. For the first time a murmur of applause was heard.
Gunwad stamped his foot, exclaiming :
" It isn't the weepon he had yesterday ! "
In answer to 'Squire Blanchard's questioning look, Woodranger said :
" I'm under oath."
The three short words, spoken so impressively by the man who would have sooner given his life than lie, were sufficient, — sufficient for all except the angry deer reeve.
"That will do for the present, Woodranger," declared the justice.
" Hol' on ! " exclaimed Gunwad. " I want to ask him a question."
" You will have plenty of time as soon as I have examined the prisoner."
Compelled to remain quiet, the deer reeve then listened to Norman's straightforward account of the little affair. Of course his version exactly agreed with what the Woodranger had given, and at its conclusion 'Squire Blanchard was frank enough to say:
"There doesn't seem to be sufficient evidence to hold the prisoner. The complainant fails to prove that it was his dog which started the deer, or that it was he who shot it, therefore, I command the release of Norman McNiel. But according to your own account of shooting at the hawk, young man, I should not advise you to have very high hopes at the shooting-match. This court stands adjourned. Now, boys, for the Three Pines ! "
A loud cheer greeted "his Honour's" unique way of dissolving his court, while the infuriated Gunwad pushed his way forward, crying, in a loud voice:
" Ye betrayed me, Woodranger! I thought ye wuz my fri'nd and ye proved my Judas ! It wuz a miserable sneak game to cheat me out'n my reward, but I'll hev the skunk wot fired thet shot, be he a white-livered furriner or a copper-skin."
The Woodranger managed to leave the room without coming in contact with the irate speaker. Some of those present tried to check the deer reeve's bitter utterances. The majority seemed well pleased with the way the trial had ended, though it had called forth several animated discussions among the spectators. Naturally the Scotch-Irish, to a man, complimented 'Squire Blanchard on his way of disposing of the case. This very state of satisfaction among those they so thoroughly disliked, however, awakened keen distrust among the Tyng colonists, who began to develop a strong opposition to the course the matter had taken. 'Squire Blanchard was the town's clerk, and one of the most active of the grantees. But some declared that he had favoured their rivals, though he had been perfectly honest in his treatment of the case. Gunwad, naturally, was determined to get what advantage he could from this mixed situation.
" It's nothin' but downright insult to 'low this young furriner to come in hyur an" shoot down our deer without regard to our laws. I ain't ag'in sayin' thet Cap'en Blanchard didn't 'vestigate as he oughter."
" Woodranger ain't inclined to the belief that the boy did it," ventured a bystander. "There ain't many who doubt the word of him. He fit with Lovewell and is parfectly honest."
As if the last was the natural result of the first act, and beyond dispute, the speaker retired in a satisfied manner.
" He lied in this ! " exclaimed Gunwad, but quickly qualifying his statement, for fear he had made it stronger than would be accepted. " At least he put it in sich light as to deceive the cap'en. A deer killin' itself, — the idee! He didn't give me a fair chance."
"Better let it drop here, Gunwad," said a friend. " No good will come of stirring the mess."
" Ef ye had been trod on as I hev ye wouldn't feel so easy erbout yit. I'd like to git er rope eround the hull Irish gang an' be th' one to shake 'em over Namaske! Bet yer life I w'u'dn't hoi' on to thet rope only long ernough to see thet they were in a way to git wet to their livers."
" Bet you wouldn't hold on to that rope any longer than I could get my fist on you, you little runt of a Britisher !" exclaimed a voice at his elbow, and turning about the deer reeve was startled to find the tall, muscular figure of young Hall confronting him.
" Better be careful how you talk such foolery here! " declared the latter. " Unless you want more trouble than you can handle."
The cowardly Gunwad offered no reply, breathing easier when the other had gone beyond hearing.
The shooting-match was an event important enough to arrest the attention of the spectators, and turn their thoughts into another channel than shooting deer out of season. The majority at once started toward the shooting grounds.
Still Gunwad remained just outside the house discoursing to a little group of listeners, who were in sympathy with him, on the grievous wrong he believed had been done him, and to embitter the others as much as possible against their rivals.
" I s'pose ye know who this young upstart is," he half questioned, and, as if to answer it himself, continued :
" I know as well as ef it was writ in a book. One o' 'em Irishers tole me, so I got it straight. They hate him like pizen, but don't like to let on. Ye all know th' Irishers air all refugees, an' thet they fust fled from Scotland for treason to th' king, who got arter 'em like a mad bull. They went to Ireland, which they soon had to quit fer more treason. Ye see it's in him, bone and blood. Finally they concluded to come to this kentry in a body, an' mus' needs git out in th' dark. Some o' their inimies got hoi' o' their scheme, but didn't let on. So when th' lot got ready to start they found their way stopped by armed men. They managed to git away, when some on 'em looked round for th' traitor, an' it weren't long afore th' Judas was found. He was Arch McNiel, this boy's father. He got away, but he killed two o' 'em afore he got clear. His escape didn't do him much good, fer he was shot dead on th' king's highway two days later. His wife, ol' man MacDonald's darter, took it so to heart she died right off. Thet left th' ol' Scotchman with th' boy on his hands, only he was a baby then. Now if there is enny ones I despise it's Judases, and it's sich fellers as th' McNiels as kem hyur to rob us o' our — "
No sooner had his release become known than one after another of the onlookers crowded around Norman to congratulate him, among the rest being Robert Rogers, who wrung his hand heartily.
"The 'squire was perfectly fair," he said. "Of course Gunwad had no proof against you. He is an evil man, anyway. If you had been sent to gaol there would have been some lively times in Old Harrytown, and some of the Londonderry boys might have had a finger in the stew."
" Such language is ill-timed," said the Woodranger. " I find it is well never to resort to wanton talk, as talking but leads to fighting. There is enough of that to do with the red men. The whites have enough to answer for in bounty on scalps of the misguided savages, without killing each other. Harrytown is not worth the spilling o' a drop o' innocent blood."
" I wish to thank you for your kindness to me, Woodranger," said Norman, improving his first opportunity to express his appreciation of the forester's proof of friendship. " I am sure if it hadn't been for you I should have had to go to Chelmsford."
" I was under oath, lad, and told of the affair just as it was. I'm very thankful I'm not given to deceiving. True, men resort to such manner o' doings when tracking the red man, but that is only the natural artifices o' warfare. In peace it is — "
" Look there, Woodranger! " interrupted young Rogers, pulling the speaker's sleeve ; "you upbraided me for talking trouble. Will you listen to the arguments of Gunwad ?"
At first the Woodranger was inclined to merely glance toward the man, whom it was evident he despised. But, as his gaze ran over the deer reeve and his knot of listeners, his countenance quickly changed its hue, and he became an intent hearer of the other's garbled account of Norman's father. He trembled from head to foot, and as Gunwad reached that point where he used the words "to rob us o' our" — the forester, with that swift, silent step so natural to him, glided to the deer reeve's side. Before the story-teller realised his presence, he seized him with one hand by the throat. As the powerful fingers tightened, their victim was lifted clear from his feet, and held at arm's length by the iron-like grasp of Woodranger.
The deer reeve could not utter a word, and he seemed in imminent danger of being choked to death, but he struggled violently to break from the hand which had so unexpectedly caught and held him like a huge bat twisting and squirming in mid-air.
" Utter another word o' sedition and I'll warp your head from your shoulders !" exclaimed the forester, sharply. "Let this be a warning to sich petty whippers and growlers as you," flinging the other to the ground, and striding away from the place as if escaping from some obnoxious creature.
This violent display of anger on the part of the Woodranger, who had never shown anything of the kind before, so startled the onlookers that not a word was spoken until he had gone beyond hearing. As soon as the dazed Gunwad had begun to recover his senses, he shook his fist after the retreating" forester, muttering maledictions he was careful the other should not hear. Fortunately the few left about the place did not care to engage in any row, so the affair was speedily forgotten, except by Gunwad, in the interesting and exciting scenes which followed.
As he strode away in righteous wrath, Woodranger caught Norman by the hand, saying :
" Come with me to the shoot, lad. I fear me much I've committed a foolish indiscretion in letting my temper run away with my jedgment. A man never knows his strength till he has tried his weakness.
Oh, the shoot will not detain you more than a couple o' hours. You will get home as soon as your grandfather will expect you. You have that shot at the hawk to redeem, and this is your time."
Back to top
posted by Don at 9:02 AM
<< Home