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Crown and Sceptre: A West Country Story, a novel by George Manville Fenn |
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Chapter 50. Back To Camp |
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_ CHAPTER FIFTY. BACK TO CAMP "Now, Samson," whispered Fred, "we must trust to our horses standing fast." "You let their halters lie on the ground, sir, and they'll not move," was the reply. "Wait a minute, till I've unrolled the rope from my waist, and then I'm ready." "What can I do?" said Scarlett, in a low anxious voice. "Nothing, sir. Now, Master Fred, let's get them two down first off the horses, and they can lie on the grass till we're ready for them. Then, if you think as I do, me being strongest, you'll go down first, while I hold the rope." "Can you?" "Can I?" exclaimed Samson, in a tone full of contempt. "Then when you're down, I'll lower down the stuff first, and you take it and cast the rope loose each time; and next, I'll let Sir Godfrey down and Master Scar, and then--" He stopped short. "Your brother," said Fred, sharply. "We cannot do better." Everything was done according to Samson's plans, beginning with the helping down of the two wounded riders, after which Fred took the end of the rope, and was lowered into what, in spite of his determination, seemed to be an awful chasm. But he had no time to think, for directly he touched the shaley floor, the rope was drawn up, and almost directly after, he was hastily taking from the rope the burdens which it bore, while, to his surprise, Scarlett came next. "You?" said Fred in his wonder. "Yes; I thought I could help most here; and it seemed so terrible a place for you to be alone." "Scar!" whispered Fred, quickly, as a thought struck him, due to Samson's general forethought, "open those bundles, and see if there is anything to get a light." Sir Godfrey was lowered down, and when Fred was helping Nat to sink gently on the flooring of the cave, the sharp clicking of flint and steel fell upon his ears, and soon after the gloomy place was illumined by a candle stuck in a niche of the rock. "I wouldn't be longer than 'bout an hour, Master Fred, sir," came down the opening. "We may as well get back safe if we can." Fred answered, and then set to work, to find that the forethought of those at the Manor had provided ample store for the prisoners; and if ever wine was welcome to man, it was to the sufferers lying exhausted there upon the shaley bed of the cave. "As soon as I am up," said Fred at last, "I shall throw down the rope, and with the light you can explore the lower part of the cave, and see what means there are of getting to the mouth; for sooner or later a boat and men shall come to take you both where you will. Now, Scar Markham, God bless you, and good-bye!" Fred had previously bidden Sir Godfrey farewell. Nat had sunk into the sleep of exhaustion long before, and now he stood grasping Scarlett's hands in his. "Some day," said the latter, sadly, "this war must end, and then we may meet again." "And not till then, Scar, for I can--I must do no more. Good-bye." He snatched his hands from the grasp that held them, caught hold of the rope, and calling up to Samson, in another minute he was half-way up, but only to call down to Scarlett-- "Have no fear about supplies; there are those not far away who will see that you have all you want." There was no reply, for in his weakness and misery Scarlett Markham had thrown himself upon his face, and lay for hours almost without moving, and till long after the light had burned out, and the faint bluish dawn rose from the chasm below. Meanwhile Fred had reached the top, lowered down the rope till its weight made it glide swiftly from his hands, and then mounted his horse to ride back, through the darkness, trusting to chance to reach the camp unchallenged. This time they were not so successful, for all at once a sharp voice bade them halt and give the word. "Forward's the word, Master Fred," whispered Samson, "full speed, knee to knee." Their horses answered to the touches of their heels, and bounded through the darkness, the man who challenged trying to fire in their direction; but the match merely made the priming flash, and before he could communicate with his fellows, Fred and Samson were far over the moor toward the park, dashing by an outpost, whose men fired and raised the alarm. It was too late to stop the adventurous pair, who were close up to the tents and off the horses, which they left to their fate, while the men whom they encountered now treated them as others who had been alarmed by the firing on the moor. Drums were beating, trumpets sounding, and men mustered quickly, waiting a night attack, till the sentinels were questioned and told their tale. An hour more, and it was broad daylight, and the men dismissed, after what was treated as a false alarm. "And when I went to the tethering stakes, Master, Fred, sir," whispered Samson, "there were our horses standing alongside o' the others, with their halters hanging down just as if they'd never left their places." "But weren't you missed? You were a prisoner." "No, sir, s'pose not. I should ha' thought they'd ha' looked at me now and then; but I'd done nothing very wrong, and when a man did tramp into the tent, he found me lying down, and didn't see the slit through which I crept out and in." "Then you are released, Samson?" "Yes, sir; your father ordered me to be let out, and, oh, how sleepy I do feel! I say, though, sir, if the colonel know'd all we done last night, what would he say?" "Don't talk about it, my good fellow. I hope he would be glad at heart; but as a soldier--Samson, we must keep our secret, perhaps for years." Samson gave his mouth a slap with his horny palm, and walked away. _ |
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