THE DEPUTY SHERIFF.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 January 1894, Page 13

THE DEPUTY SHERIFF.

T wo young- rogues in every sense of the word were Jack Ding ley and Mathew Kings ford. They had come along —one day begging, the next stealing—from Boston way, until they had readied New London. They had done this pai-tly because they were of a roving, vag-abondish nature, and partly because they had been filled with large tales by a brother knight of leisure, who bad told them that New London, with all the stir and activity incident to a naval port, was a haven of all others for the craft willing to ride an anchor in pleasant waters. The townspeople were open and prodig-al, the privateersmen were

continually bringing 1 in prizes, Spanish doubloons and English coin were common, apd to eyes seldom gladdened by sight of even wofully depreciated Continental money these were alluring visions. But the precious pair had been two days in the town, and Spanish doubloons and English sovereigns were visions still, and their interior departments sadly craved the need of other filling than that afforded by the imagination. The innkeepers of New London were a jolly set, but the scarcity of paying custom and the high price of provisions made them less generous to the wayfarer than in the anteRevolutionary days. The companions had bean given a good breakfast at Fink’s with the relish that it was their first and last. Indeed since they came to the town they had met with the worst of fortune. A gentleman who had shared their first night in a haymow had risen early, and, like an early bird, had pointed out to them a moral, for he had dissappeared with the small bag containing all their personal estate, which, with beautiful faith, they held in common. Futilely seeking him, they had strolled over the town, marking, with the observation of long practice, such places as they deemed worthy of an unceremonious call in the night. Truly Hew London was a dull town, and its pickings would be poor. How they would like to catch the impostor who had represented it as a theatre of never-ending amusement and the disbursing-place of money! They had reached the end of the main street, and come upon the busy chief square or parade, now partly filled by a mob of women and children, listening with bated breath to the loud harangue of a recruiting sergeant. A door or two beyond him were two or three old men silently reading a notice just posted. The two crossed over and laboriously spelled out ; “ The new and swift-sailing privateer Brigantine Is Marquis de la Fayette, mounting Sixteen six-pound Cannon, with Swivels and Small Arms Compleat, will sail on a Cruise against the enemies of these United States in eight days from the Date hereof at farthest. All Gentlemen Seamen and able-bodied Landsmen who are desirous of making their Fortune, an Opportunity now Presents by applying on Board said Brig when they will Meet with Good Encouragement. “ Peter Richards. “Hew London, Aug. 7, 1778.” “ My eyes ! but we are a pair sorely needing good encouragement, aren’t we P’ ; said Jack Dingiey, with a grin. “ Let ns seek out old Peter, and get some of his. It is a long time since any one gave us aught. I trust it will not hurt our consciences to pocket Peter’s pence —ha! ha!” ‘ But I don’t see any sense in getting under the rule of some old sea tyrant,” grumbled Kingsford. “We can find somewhat more to our taste by staying on land.” “ Keep your mouth shut,” commanded Dingiey ; “ all you have to do is to follow me. Only say ‘ay, ay,’ and ‘nay, nay.’ ” Dingiey easily led the other, but, nevertheless, Kingsford grumbled to himself as he followed his leader, who set forward at a brisk trot for the Marquis de la Fayette. It was easy enough to get speech with that energetic personage Peter Richards, who, after a keen glance at their sturdy, well-knit frames and the youthful faces as yet unlimned by vice’s lines, said : “Well, my lads, though this is a time when men are scarce, that notice, posted at sun-up, has brought me all but two of of the needed complement, so that if I engage you I shall sail with the favouring tide. Pass through, and you will come to the Marly at the wharf. Dingiey had a round, innocent face, He saw that the old sailor was a jollyhearted fellow, already prepossessed in their favour, and he said, hesitatingly; “ If you please, captain, my friend and myself owe a bit which we should

like to pay- It is for four days’ lodging-, and I doubt if the good woman, whose children are at the Avar, could lose it, nor Avould AA r e like to go upon a long A'oyage, filled Avith uncertainties of life and death, and perchance have this entered against our chances of eternal salA’ation.” “No, indeed; that Ave Avouldn’t,” broke in Kingsford. “ I Avould rather not go than cheat a poor woman.” This decided the captain, Avho had been hesitating AAdiether or not to give them any money. The earnestmonev, as it Avas called, since the numerous desertions, had been AA'ithheld until the enlisted Avere aboard ship. But these tAvo seemed really honest. “ What is the Avornan’s name?” he <querid, with great caution. I Avill send to her, and discharge your indebted loss.” “ She is Mistress Temperance Bre ays ter,” returned Dingley, remembering a name he had seen upon a sign ; “ and if yon AA'ould be so kind, ask the messenger to gather up our small belongings, Avhich he Avi.ll discoA'er in a narroAA' passageway to the right of the stairs —” “ Better go yourself,” interrupted Captain Richards, convinced they Avere honest lads, “ and he back right speedily. There is grand Avork to he done, and avg want to be in at the do in a - . Here, I suppose you are the pursebearer, Jack ? But we Avill soon cure yon of bashfulness, Matthew P Does that cover her reckoning ?” With profuse thanks, Dingley took the money, and the two rogues hurried aAvay. Bailing to return, the captain confided bis troubles to the sheriff, Joshua Hempstead. He said —“ Indeed I will do my best to help yon. It has come to be too frequent a practice for rogues to -desert, and I fancy its nipping in the bud Avill be a seiwice to the country. I’ll engage to bring them back to you ■ by to-morrow’s sunrise.” The sheriff Avalked home Avith the long stately step so becoming to his immense size. Many he met turned to look after him, and Avhisper some tale of his marvellous exploits to a companion. He was soon in his family circle, and, in ans Aver to a question, said —

“ Yon. ■women need expect to see me to-morrow noon. I have two thieves to capture. Sambo, tell the Deputy to be ready in a quarter of an hour/’ “ I pray you, Joshua, be not overconfident in your own strength, said the lady of the house, gently. “ You are over-given to rashness. Two men have four arms with which to harass, and a pair of curs can sorely worry a mastiff.” For answer the giant sheriff bent and kissed her, and with a slow tender smile strode out, never looking back ; for the Puritans, though scorning superstition, yet firmly believed that every backward look took two steps frnn forward progress. Before the door' was the Deputy patiently awaiting* his coming. “ Well. Deputy,” said the sheriff, “you did not expect to be routed out; blit you will not mind it, will you boy f” For answer the Deputy rubbed bis head against his master, who carefully examined every bit of his harness. The big black horse, rechi istened Deputy from his many exploits in aid of his master, was well known in Yew England, and had a firm hold upon the affections of Yew London. Had lie not brought to Yew London the news of the battle of Bunker Hill, performing the journey in a day and part of a night, and bursting into the town with quivering nostrils and panting*sides, while his heart throbbed in unison with the excited patriots i It was a common saying that he knew a Tory on the crest of a mile-off hill. Ceitainly the sheriff seemed to have great faith in him, for as the horse caressed him he said, rubbing him-on the nose; “ We hare a pretty long’ ride before us, Deputy. Ton see, there is a pair of rogues to he ( taken before dawn, and returned to serve the country. You and I have j that to do.” j

Deputy gaA T e a long Avhinny and thrust his nose against the sheriff’s cheek, Avhereupon Hempstead, Avith another caress, stood (for a {moment Avith his arm about his neck, then SAVung his huge hulk into the saddle, and the tAvo friends set off at a Jslow stately pace, for the sheriff lacked not that pride of office Avhich hade him impress his toAvnsmen with due regard for his dignity. He made his Avay along* the route he judged the fugitives might have folloAved, and Avithout actually inquiring soon had a tolerable idea of their aim. Ere the night Avas a quarter advanced, he was Avell on his Avay to HorAvieh. He reckoned that they Avon Id he likely to stop at the taverns on the road and treat themselves. It Avas a beautiful night. The full moon in a cloudless sky sent its soft light into the innermost lanes of the narroAV passage-like high ay ay, making little dells of radiance all the brighter from the dense shadoAV caured by the overhanging elms. The sheriff had passed the outermost house standing like a sentinel at the foot of the hill. He glanced rather Avistfully at the uncurtained windoAv, blazing with light and shoAving the Avhirling forms of young people. “Ah, Avell, ’tis Avomen with Avomen, these days,” he said. “ There’s many a yamth fighting Avith great Washington whose SAveetheart tries to keep lightness in her heart by the nimbleness of her feet. Hoaa* it would pleasure one of the absent to catch even a fleeting glimpse of these pretty figures. Well, Joshua, a truce to the thoughts of young folks’ gayety. What is the outcome of our latest battle, I Avonder ? Deputy, Avere you and I less heavy, Avhat a pair we Avould make for the United States. But Ave will do our best, eh, boy P Demit}' gaA'e an affirmative rep’y ; and the sheriff, taking off his hat, let the cool, fragrance - laden air play about his massive head Avhiie his memory AA r eut astraying* to the days of his youth when he had been up at day-break to secure the first Avild roses ;. and up from the deep shadows of the ravines at the sides rose the faces of his comrades ; and the dull hi’ooding silence was broken by merry jest and laugh or the softer tones of tenderness, sending a surge of passionate sorrow to his heart. Deputy, too, as though cognizant of his master’s thoughts, stepped more j lightly, and turned at length of his I oaa’u accord into Horton s door-yard, j and stopped at the door. Hempstead I started, and replaced his hat, just as 1 the master, shutting up for the brief i night, came forward. “Well, friend Horton,” in his heartiest tones, “ lioaa - fares life with yon P” “ Well, hoAvever it goes, Mr Hempstead, I am prepared to make the best of it. It’s not for a man Avho has a comfortable home, a respected calling, and a hope of salvation to find fault. r l here s mighty bad times for the brave hearts fighting for independence, but I guess they have seen the Avorst, don’t yon ? But I must say there is | a deal of discouragement in the ; tidings, ain't there ?” I “The Lord protects His oavu,” returned Hempstead. “Oftentimes, as avc do read in Holy Writ, He doth send them trials that their triumphs may be greater. But have yon seen aught of t\A r o specious sturdily built youths Avliom Is ham Crurdon took into his cart for a lift this way ?” and he briefly described them. “ Have I P But they Avere alone, and left here scarcely two hours ago, Avith a goodly load of ray provisions, solid and liquid. Have a stirrupcup, Joshua P” “Ho; thank you kindly. Goodnight.” The sheriff and the Deputy Avere in the road ere Horton Avas conscious he Avas alone. Work Avas really begun, and the pair moved briskly along, sendingsharp glances to the right and left. The sheriff felt of the pistols in his holster, and then turned into a

by-path, reasoning that the young rascals, sure of escape, would not hurry themselves. His familiarity with the hiding-places of refugees served him well. He had not proceeded an hour’s length when he descried through the interstices the steady gleam of a fire. “ How. Deputy,” he whispered, “tread lightly as a maiden.” Deputy pricked up his ears, and steadily and swiftly the twain advanced toward the quarry, but a half-a-dozen yards. Already Hempstead was preparing to leap from his saddle, and his hand was clutching the short stick, one blow from which he had found sufficient to prostrate the toughest knave, when the Deputy trod upon a little stick, and at the sound the half - recumbent figures started up. The sheriff urged forward Deputy, who cleared the intervening space with a bound.

“ Surrender in the name of the Continental Congress !” shouted Hempstead, with levelled pistol. But ducking his head and wriggling like a worm, Dingly rushed directly toward and past him,, and Kingsford plunged into the undergrowth behind him. Hempstead rushing after him, through tangled thickets, up and down hills, headlong through hollows, over brooks, always within a few yards, and guided by the crashing footsteps —a rough race for a man heavj' in weight and past his. boyhood ; but Hempstead’s endurance was marvellous, and at length his heavy hand closed, like a vise, on the shoulder of the prostrate, panting fugitive. In a thrice he had him bound and shook him to his feet, ordering him, not over-gently to walk before him. “ I always heard the hand of the law was heavy,, but I thought its pace was slow,” said the ready-witted rogue. “ I beseech, Mr Giant, that, you have mercy. Remember it is a hot night, and I am somewhat fatigued.” “I know it right well,” rejoined the sheriff, with grim humour; “ but I have to consider my own muscles as well as your feelings. Move as briskly as yon can, for I would not long separate yon from your companion.” “ Oh, as far as that, sir, do not hurry. He is the head while I am but the foot. Do not not fancy he is waiting for you to manacle him. Neither is he a Damon who cannot grow fat without his Pythias.” “Pity your learning taught-you not honesty was the best policy,” said Hempstead, himself a classical scholar. All the time he was urging the laggard forward, and keeping a keen lookout whenever a parting of the branches vouchsafed the moonlight for some token that he was travel-ring' the right way. When he thought he must be in hearing distance of Deputy, he gave a view-halloo. This usually elicited a reply, but no neigh was brought to his anxious ears. “ It is strange,” he thought, uneasily, but a scrutiny of the trampled way, and the sight of the third brook over which they had passed convinced him he was right. Ho gave another yell, and to his intense joy heard a queer smothered sound. “What is the matter ?” he said, involuntarily, and dragging Kingsford forward, he gave a mighty bound into the little clearing. Tire fire started by the rogues was blazing brightly, and by its brilliant light he saw Deputy, and learned why his “voice ” was so queenly muffled. Standing near the centre was the big black horse, holding in his mouth, by the back of his clothes, Dingley, whose legs and arms were descrying circles in the air, while his captor, with heroic stoicism, awaited the coming of his chief. The sheriff was not surprised. Often before the Deputy had given him material aid in capturing malefactors, once jumping down a ravine and pinning a fleeing rascal with his forefeet to the ground, yet so gently the rogue was unharmed. This, however, was the first time he had chased, captured, and held unaided a criminal.

The sheriff fastened Kingsford securely to the crupper, all the whilethe kicking, struggling Dingley wasfirraly held by his captor. “ Yes, yes, Deputy,” said he, “ I am hurrying. I know your neck must ache. Now then, dear hoy.” He released Jack, and in a twinkling had him hard and taut on the pommel, while Deputy worked his head backward and forward and gave a series of delighted ejaculations, to which the sheriff replied, sending a cold shiver through the two culprits, who were sure the sheriff and his companion were an uncanny pair. But on the long ride back the big man gave them such a kind fatherly ■ talking, and set before them so plainly and earnestly the enormity and meanness of their transgressions that x-eal penitence touched their hearts, and in the end they promised to serve Cap- • tain Peter well. The sun was .glinting the wate with gold when the sheriff and the Deputy halted at Captain Richard’s door, and in answer to his sharp pommelling the captain appeared, and stared amazedly at the pair whom Hempstead had set upon their feet,, after joining their wrists by a cord. “Here, Peter,” said the sheriff,. “is a brace of geese for you. I have performed a transformation. Treat these two honest seamen well. Good voyage to you.” “ But come in, and ” “ Not I,” quoth the sheriff,” “the Deputy is hungering- for his breakfast. He has had but one mouthful since yester-noon, and though it was filling, it did not stanch his stomach—hey,. Jack ? ” The capture of the rogues by Joshua Hempstead’s horse is an actual fact attested by the traditions of New London. —Harper’s Weekly.