Christmas Penny Readings Part 20

"Bang--bang."

"There they are, sir," growled the keeper, halting to let us get up alongside; and now I started, for in the dusk behind me, and apparently dodging my heels, was a tall figure.

"It's only Todds, sir," growled the keeper, and Todds his helper growled in response.

"That is right."

"Amost wonder as they came here, sir," whispered Browsem. "Never knowed 'em do it afore, 'cause they're feared o' Munday's Ghost."

"Munday's Ghost?" I said.

"Yes, sir; pore chap as were shot. They do say as he walks still, but there's a sight o' pheasants here."

It was one of those dark heavy nights late in winter, when the last oak-leaves have fallen, and every step you take through the thickly strewn glades rustles loudly. The wind just sighed by us as we pressed on along a path through a plantation, and then once or twice I fancied I heard guns to the right, far off behind the house. But I forgot them the next moment, for my heart beat, and the excitement increased, for just on in front came two loud and distinct reports.

"They're at it," growled my uncle, forgetting his gout, and loosing my arm. "Now Browsem, you and Todds go round, and we'll come forward, only mind when I whistle, it's for help."

The next moment I was going to speak to the keeper, but I started, for he was gone, and on looking behind I found Todds had also vanished, quiet as a snake, for my uncle and I stood alone.

"You'll stick to me, d.i.c.k?" whispered the old gentleman.

"Conditions," I said in the same voice.

"What? the white feather," growled the old gentleman.

"No, no," I said, "but if I enlist now on your side, will you join me in a siege afterwards?"

"Siege? what the deuce? Why don't you speak plain, sir?"

"Well," I said, "I mean about--about--a certain young lady at the Priory, you know."

"Confound your thick head, sir. Why, if you had had an ounce of brains, you could have seen what I meant, and--"

"Bang, bang!" from the wood.

"Forward," shouted my uncle, and crossing a small open field, we entered the Spinney.

Now, if I were to say that I was brave, the a.s.sertion would be a fib, for I possess but few of the qualifications for making a good soldier; but all the same, as we pushed our way in that night amongst the thick hazel stubs, I felt a sort of tingly sensation in my arm, which made me grasp my weapon more tightly, and feel as if I wished there was something to hit.

"Keep your eyes well open, d.i.c.k," whispered my uncle, "and if you come across a tall thin squinting rascal with his nose on one side, mind, that's Ruddle's. Fell him to the ground in an instant, sir. No mercy: capture him as you love me, and if you do take the scoundrel, you shall have another cool thousand down on your wedding morning."

"And if I don't?" I whispered.

"Hold your tongue, you dog, and don't talk nonsense."

On we went in silence as to our tongues, but with the leaves rustling and sticks cracking as we pushed on. Now I could hear my uncle ejaculating; then he'd stumble and mutter, while once I had to haul him out of a small hole half full of water.

"Confound it!" growled the old gentleman; "but I'll pay some one for all this. Open out a bit to the right, d.i.c.k."

I separated from the main body, and on we still pressed, rustling and crackling along, while now and again I could make out the well-defined forms of pheasants roosting amidst the low branches of the trees. All at once I heard my uncle stop short, for about a hundred yards to my right there came again a sharp "bang, bang" of two guns.

"Push on, my boy," whispered the old gentleman, closing up; and then, as fast as we could for the dense undergrowth, we made our way in the direction of the sounds. "They're out strong, my boy, but we're four determined men with right on our side, and a prize to win; eh, you dog?"

"Oof!" I involuntarily exclaimed, for just then my uncle gave me a poke in the ribs with his stick--very facetiously, no doubt; but it hurt.

We were now in the thickest part of the wood; and, after going a little farther, I felt my shoulder clutched, and "Here they come," was whispered in my ear. "Seize one man, d.i.c.k, and hold on to him like a bull-dog."

Just then I could hear in front the sharp crackling and rustling made by bodies being forced through the underwood; and, grasping my staff and pressing eagerly forward, I waited with beating heart for the coming of the enemy.

I did not have to wait long, for the next moment I was face to face with Browsem.

"Lord, sir! I thought it had been one on 'em," he exclaimed, and then a whispered consultation having been held, we opened out about twenty yards apart, and went straight away in the direction we supposed the poachers to have taken.

On, slowly and painfully, with the twigs flying back and lashing our faces, roots trying to trip us up, and the night growing darker and darker. Right and left I could hear my uncle and Browsem, while right off beyond the old gentleman, Mr Todds, the reticent, was making his way. Every eye was strained and every ear attent to catch the slightest sound; but for quite ten minutes we crept on until right in our rear came the sharp, loud report of a gun; and then, after the interval of a few moments, another louder and apparently nearer.

"Back again!" cried my uncle; and then, casting off all caution, we all pushed forward eagerly, closing in as we went, till we were only separated by a few bushes, so that I could hear the hard breathing on either side. Hard work blundering and stumbling along; but the will was good, and at last we all drew up again in a small opening, panting, hot, and regularly breathed.

"Hist!" whispered my uncle, and we all listened eagerly; but, with the exception of a wild, strange cry some distance off, all was silent.

"What's that?" I whispered to Browsem.

"Only a howl, sir," he whispered again. "Blessed rum start this, ain't it?"

"Bang, bang!" again a hundred yards off.

"Come on!" roared my uncle furiously, "there won't be a bird left in the place;" and away we dashed again, but only to pull up once more, regularly puzzled.

"'Tain't no good, sir," whispered Browsem. "We might go on like this all night, and ketch no one."

"Why?" I said, mopping my brow.

"That 'ere, sir, as I said was a howl, must ha' been Munday's Ghost, and them 'ere shots as we keeps hearing's the ones as killed the poor fellow, and that's why the poachers never comes to this bit."

"Browsem," puffed my uncle.

"Yes, sir," said Browsem.

"You're a fool, Browsem," puffed my uncle.

"Thanky, sir," said Browsem.

"What do you mean by that, sir?" cried my uncle, fiercely.

"Nothing, sir," said the keeper, mildly.

"For two pins, sir," cried my uncle, fiercely, "I'd discharge you, sir.

D'yer hear? discharge you, sir, for talking such foolery. Ghosts-- posts! pooh! bah! puff! stuff! yah! Forward."