CHAPTER XXXVII.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1619, 18 November 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXXVII.

AL last came the day of the Melbourne Cup — fraught with importance and anxiety, to &o many besides Walter Addison. I had heaid that the attendance at the great lace of the year was usually something astonishing, considering the population of the colony, but I was not piepared for the sight that met my eyes, when I arrived at the racecourse. " Why, Walter," I said, " there must be a hundred thousand people heic, at the very least, and your population is under a million ?" " Every Victorian is here to-day, who could possibly come," was the leply, " and there are some thousands from the other colonies as well. But let mo show you round a little ; the first race doesn't start till one o'clock." Here and there we wandered, accordingly ; up on the hill, and down on the Hat, whcio abounded those distinctive types of colonial life, which were wanting upon the lawn of the grand-stand. The occupants of the more select enclosing were like well-dressed, well-to-do people, in other paits of the world, and, save for the prevalence of yellow silk coats, amongst the men, and a tendency towards the outre in the dress of the women — an absence of fashionable indifference in the former sex, and an exaggeration of it in the latter — the scene might as well have been laid at Epsom, as at Flcmington. But elsewheie was much to interest and amuse the stranger. From the three-card swindler to the petty bookmaker — from the stereotyped negro minstiel to the timehonoured Aunt Sally — all the usual concomitants of an English racecourse were present ; but, upon the people who betted, or listened, or looked on, was visible the stamp of their adopted country. The Melbournite, biisk and wide-awake as the Londoner, had generally a rough-and-ready downrightness about him, as well, which bespoke a former acquaintance with adventure and emergency, and the bearded bushman, with his swarthy fare and bandit-looking hat, had a swashing, Calif ornian way with him, which was the dnect opposite of the stolidity of the English yokel. Not a dull countenance nor a slouching figure was to be seen ; all looked alert, keen, and independent ; the swiftly circulating blood of a young country gave its unmistakable character to the scene. And it was the same on the hill, where the charge for admission might have been supposed to indicate a higher social stratum. Here was the mechanic, brighter and more prosperous-looking than his brother of England, side by side with the bush dandy, in horsy coat and composite rid-ing-trousers ; here the small tradesman, with his well-clad family ; the clerk, with his pale face and fingers ; the old and young ; the town and country; but all with the indefinable Australian stamp upon face and figure — upon garment and manner. Suddenly the bell rang out from below us. "Saddling bell for the first race." said Walter. •' We may as well stop here and see it. We've a capital view of the course." Presently the horses came out for their preliminaiy cantor ; horses as good as any in the old country — appointments as complete — everything reproduced, down to the historic dog that ran his frantic and solitary career after the course had been cleared. Then came the race, with its false starts, its varying fortunes, its final moments of breathless excitement, and its eagerly scanned verdict of numerals. " Now we'll get down to the lawn." said Walter. "I should like to see the horses saddled for the next race. After that comes the great struggle, which means ruin to so many here this day." " Have you steeled yourself to the chance of failure ?" I asked. " I have," he answered. "It would be a blow, but not a very severe one in a pecuniary sense, while, as to the other consideration, I should still have Hox^e left. What are you looking at ?" " Only the Count's gardener !" J answered, for my eye had just fallen upon Derrick amongst the crowd on the hill. He was standing about ten yards away, talking to a man, whose face I could not at first see, but, as we altered our position, I caught a glimpse of his features, and was startled to recognise the burglar, whose • acquaintance I had made under the auspices of Mr. Jinker, My suspicions of the mysterious gardener returned in full force. k . " Derrick shall explain this to-morrow," I said to myself. " The Count's valuables have not been sent to the bank yet, and when I find the man in company with a notorious burglar, it is time for decisive measures!" >\One of -the first persons- we met in the grandstand enclosure was" Bill Crusher, ■with' ftjjie, .orthodox ., raoe-glass slang .across , his* -br.oad/shouldeijgi, 'and.-ithe-'brthocloxf wMte'-hat ' jftnd'grecnjjeil sihnbun^tin^ JnVhar&fe'atured '

Although I had had considerable experience in mountain work, my acquaintances wore chiefly " moonshiners." I had heard much about the strength of the new vigilante order, but gave little credence to the marvellous stories that were told respecting the solidity, respectability, and discipline of that famous mobocracy which has ruled mountain Kentucky for the past four years with an iron hand ; — which has committed many outrages, made many mistakes, but, withal, rendered the mountain counties safe to live in, and driven out the desperadoes and outlaws. The agent for my divison, early in the month of June, 1878, sent me on a mission of importance into one of the rich blue grass counties, which county, by the way, boasts of more pretty women, fast horses, fat Durhams, and fine whiskey, than any spot of like size in the world. Reliable information had been received at the headquarters of the Secret Service in Washington City, that an extensive gang of counterfeiters had opened a mint not far from the famous Blue Lick Spring, and were manufacturing at wholesale, the most dangerous character of " queer" money. The rendezvous of the gang was not definitely located, and I was detailed to "spot" their hiding-place, Accordingly, I went out on the Kentucky Central Railroad, to the little town from which I was to make a stait ; procured a ihorse, and rode leisurely through the town into the open country. It was four o'clock in the afternoon, as I left the hotel. Beaching the borders of the town, I spurred my horse into a gallop and turned into the fiist road I came to, running in the d-rection of the setting sun. T had a theory — which afterwards proved a true one — that the gang were located in an isolated and heavily timbered belt of country, running from the borders of the blue-grass lands out into the barren ridges of Robertson County. I was thoroughly posted lespecting the roads, was provided with a good post-road map and a pocket compass, and had no fears of losing myself. A lowering sky indicated a possible storm. By 9 o'clock a heavy cloud swept across the canopy of stars overhead, and shut out the feeble light of the young moon. There was a distant nimble of thunder, and the southwestern sky was illuminated by livid flashes of electric fire. A few pattering rain-drops warned me that the storm was close at hand, and I discovered that in the hurry of departuie I had neglected to bring my gum coat and leggings. I did not fancy a wetting, and began to look about me for a place of shelter. The night hud grown intensely dark, and a solid wall of black encompassed me on every hand. This gloom was occasionally pierced by a flash of lightning, enabling me to see objects close at hand. A particularly vivid fiabh, just as the lain began to fall in earnest, brought out, in full lclief, on the light hand side of the road, the outlines of a gloomylooking stone building, the front of which was thickly covered with ivy, clinging in tangled masses fiom the giound to the tops of the dormer windows. I pulled up my horse and waited for another flash. It came, and I haw that the stone pile was a mm, and uninhabited. I had hoped for a hospitable farm mansion, a warm supper, and a comfortable bed, but the rapidly ialling rain did not admit of indecibion. Dismounting, I led my horse through the gate, which I found after much gioping, and guided him through an open doorway into one of the rooms of the stone ruin. Lighting a little pocket lantern, which I always carried, I looked about me. The room in which I found myself was' bare and without floor. I did not notice at the time that it had been used as a stable befoie. The floor above was intact, and I was glad to get shelter from the rain, which was now descending in torrents. Removing the saddle, I tethered my horse to a projecting hook in one corner of the room and started about on a tour of exploration. There were eight rooms on the ground floor, all spacious and in ruins. A broad hall-way bisected the' house, at the far end of which a dilapidated stairway led to the upper story. The rooms on the second floor were in a better state of preservation, and one could not help being impressed with the idea that the mansion must at one time have been a noble pile. Two or three of the 100 ms contained odd pieces of furniture, once rich and costly. In one of the best furnished xooms I determined to take up my abode for the night. Some shreds of caipet clung to the floor, the walls were hung with faded tapestry, and the glassless windows were protected' by heavy oaken shutters, fantastically carved and brightly polished. A ponderous sofa, covered with decaying haircloth, occupied one corner of the room. I dragged it out to the fire-place, brushed away the dust, started a blaze on the hearth, and, lighting my pipe, stretched out at full length on the sofa, to wonder at my strange situation, and marvel, between the whiffs of smoke, over the cause of the ruined grandeur around me. I have neglected to say that I had had no sleep the night before, and the stillness of this old house, broken only by the patter of the rain, and soughing of the wind among the trees', acted on tired nature with soporific effect. A dozen times I sank into a doze, to be aroused by a crash of thunder. Finally, the storm abated and the thunder died away in angry and fast receding growls. The fire burned down* on the hearth, and weird shadows crept into the corners of the room. A strange hush fell upon the house, the pipe slipped from my grasp and I fell into a profound sleep. How long I slept 1 do not know, but I awoke finally out of a troubled dream, to find the room brightly illuminated and crowded with strange fantastic figures. Fitting climax to my dream ! I started up and stared about me with wondering eyes. Before I could express my astonishment one of the figures addressed me, and, in spite of the muffled voice and feigned accent, I thought I recognised the familiar tones of my old friend, Lance Worthington. The figuie was clad in a long, flowing robe of white, which shrouded it from head to foot. The head-piece of the mask was pierced with holes for eyes, nose, and mouth. The others were similarly disguised, and I could almost fancy myself at the secret meeting of some knightly order in the Feudal Age. "You -need not be alarmed," said the shrouded figure : " You are among friends, colonel. We mean you no harm, and we do not intend that you shall do us any harm. You are surrounded by Regulators. If you are one of us, make yourself known. If not a member of the order, our High Priest will administer the oath of allegiance, and soon make you one." •" You need not disguise your voice, for I recognise you," said I, recovering my selfpossession. You. are Lance " " Stop I" interrupted a dozen voices, and I saw the gleam, of a dozen pistol barrels under the folds of the white shrouds.' "You will consult your own safety and know no one here," said a tall fellow standing at the foot of the sofa. I saw that his pistol covered my heart, and was silent. " You may think this an idle masquerade, but I assure you itisthe reverse," said the figur^which --I ' thought. Lance W.orthirigton. " We.are Regulators, and have ,met ' f oribusjiness.''" ,// „' -\ „ I ~y-'' ,. 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&hipV" I ventured, and. looked about for my pistols. They were gone ! " The order deals vigorously with all who disobey its commands !" cried a muffled voice in my ear. " You do not mean — ?" I cried, starting up. "Be quiet, old fellow," interrupted the voice which I recognised as Lance Worthington's. "Let me advise you. This house in which you have taken shelter is the sometime rendezvous of one of the strongest Regulator lodges in the State. We number 250 members, and nearly all are present to-night. We are all armed, and your pistols are in our possession. This meeting is accidental, but the rules of the order are imperative, and you must becomd one of us." " Suppose 1 refuse? " I said. " Then you must suffer the penalty of contempt ! " cried the veiled figure at the foot of the the sofa. ," And that ? " " Death ! " cried a chorus of voices. " Gentlemen," said I, beginning to take a serious view of the matter, " I am opposed to your order and have so expressed myself a hundred times. If you force me to take any oath I shall noL consider it binding, for I take it under protest." - " He who is once a Regulator is always a Eegulator," wailed the tall iiguie at the foot of the sofa. " You will never betray the secrets of the order." " Well, then," said I, rising to my feet, " since lam forced to this thing, go ahead." " Let the High Priest administer the oath ? " said the voice in my rear, and the tall figure at the foot of the sofa stepped forward. " Hold up your right hand ! " commanded the High Priest. I did so, and slowly repeated the oath which bound me to secieey, which obligated me in a hundred different ways, and which oath I faithfully kept until icgularly released. After the ceremony was over, several of the figures unmasked and disclosed old frinds of mine. I was not deceived as to Lance Worthington's voice, and he was the first to congratulate me as a brother Eegulator. In the course of our conveisation, he told me that the ruined house, in which we were assembled, was the scene of a terrible murder yeais ago, and had the reputation of being haunted by the ghost of the murdered man. It had not been occupied for years, and the Regulators had taken advantage of the superstitious legends connected with the pile and transformed it into a place of rendezvous. They had no fear of interlopers here. He told me that horse and cattle stealing was so common in the county, that it was necessary to organise some soit of association for protection. They had accoidingly allied themselves to the new " vigilante" order, which had been so successful in bi caking up ciime, and organized themselves into a lodge of Regulators. The captain of the lodge was one of the wealthiest young stock-raisers in Kentucky, and the membeis were from the best families in the State. " We have an important and painful duty to perform to-night," he said in conclusion, " and you can accompany us or not, as you choose." I pleaded business, and declined. " I know what you are after, I think," he said cpjickly ; " and you will lide with us tonight, and — after om business is over — go home with me, I will visit you. A man in my employ has been appioached indirectly by the parties you are after, and ho knows enough of their movements to put you on their track. He is an honest fellow, and has already taken me into his confidence, Now, ride with us to-night, and I will ride with you to-moirow night." To make a long story short, I finally agreed to make my first trip as a Eegulator, and was provided with a shioud similar to those -worn by the other members of the lodge. When I went down to my horse, I found him similarly disguised, and could not help smiling at his weird and uncanny appearance. " You will answer to the number two hundred and fifty thiee !" said the captain of the lodge, as I was mounting. "We aie known only by numbers when we aie at work." We rode in the direction in which I had come, four abreast, and the long line of whiterobed spectres, moving along swiftiy and silently, weie enough to nisphe ten or in the heaxt of the bravest man, had we chanced to meet one during our journey. I learned afterwards that, had we met any person, they would have been forced to take the oath. - An hour jrnssed in this way, and we weie fast nearing the shire town of the county. I recollected that I knew nothing of the object of this midnight ride, and asked my right hand companion for information. " E — h 1" he whispeied, " you will bee. We are nearly theie." To my dying day I will not forget the dual tiagedy enacted that night "by ordei of Judge Lynch ! " A hoiriblc minder had been committed a few months bcfoie in the county. The motive, adulterous lust. A wife and her paramour were anested, charged with the murder of a husband and friend. They were intelligent, their social position was a high one, and wealth in abundance was at their command. In spite of popular indignation against the murdeiei.s, and &tiong circumstantial evidence connecting them with the crime, it was very probable that the law —which is not always justice — through some technicality, would free the evidently guilty pah, to enjoy undisturbed, then blood-stained lust. The case was laid before the Regulators and they gave it a fair and impartial trial. Every mitigating circumstance in favour of the innocence of the accused persons was carefully consideied. When the fatal ballot was cast at the close of the investigation there was no merciful "white ball" dropped into the box, and Judge Lynch had pronounced sentence of death. It is needless to prolong this article by describing that night's work. It is a matter of history, and the verdict of the woild, after the first shock of horror passed, was " Served them right 1 " Executions, be they legal, illegal, or semi-legal, have a painful and horrid similarity. A jail was surrounded by masked men, the jailer forced at the muzzle of a dozen pistols, to give up the keys, a man and woman, whose hands weie stained with the blood of a fellow-creature, were aroused from dreams of possible liberty ; a confession of guilt was made by both, they were told of the late in store for them ; a few minutes' time was given them to prepare for that final arraignment before the bar of a just God, and in spite of the sobs and prayers for mercy, and cries and lamentations, were "hanged by the neck until dead." It was stern and terrible punishment. " A life for a life ! " At the edge of the town the lodge dispersed, the masks and shrouds were removed, and each man sought his home by the nearest and most direct road. I accompanied my friend Lance Worthington, and we were safe in bed before sunrise. Neither spoke of the occurrence of the night, and both tried to forget it in sleep, but it was many long days before I could drive away the haunting faces of those two wretched beings, or forget the agony of; their last frantic appeals for mercy and life. The next day I possessed myself of information which warranted me in serving out ■warrants' against three noted /.before "the {nearest ( United; States /Coinmis-,