THE NOVELIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2026, 22 December 1892, Page 35

THE NOVELIST.

[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.]

BAY RONALD,

WHEN GEORGE THE THIRD WAS KING."

By MAY OROMMELTN.

Author of "Dead Men's Dollarsj" " Goblin Gold," " A Jewel of a Girl," and joint author of "Violet Vyvian.M.F.H.," " &c, &c, &c.

[Copyright, 1892, Tillotson and Son.]

CIIAPTI3R XXXII. (Continued.)

IT go there. Let go, I tell you." Next instant, as the fellow did not obey at once,-" down came Dick's bunting crop on the foot-pad' 9 head in a blow given with the full foroe of his vigorous young arm. It was a crushing blow, for Dick was in

splendid training,' and he was wide awake now to Lhe fact that this attack meant highway robbery or .perhaps worse. At the same moment ho heard three or four low calls of intelligence interchanged rapidly on either side of the lane in the darkness. Dick felt, with momentary bewilderment, that there were several foes to be reckoned with.

Bay Eonald felt the same ; felt, likewise, bis own chance at that moment. His rider had lowered his left hand involuntarily while bending over to the right to strike with all his might, thus leaving the reins momentarily black. 'Startled by the swishing blow, the bay swerved violently to one side of the grassy lane, dragging bis bridle with a jerk out of the attacker's grasp. - The man's bold was enfeebled, for with a groan he staggered back. Facing the bank, Bay Ronald clambered up it as cleveily as a' cat, balanced himself for one moment, the next he had cleared well the wide water ditch that lay beneath him in the twilight on the other side.

Almost bofore Dick could realise the situation, his horse, taking the bit between his teeth, was galloping across thfcir own Hill Field. Maddened with flight, he was tearing fcrward towards the iive-barred gate at its further end. It waß useless to think of. stopping him ; the gate was locked, too, as Dick knew full well, the key hanging at that moment on a nail in his own den at home.

It must be taken, so he hardened his heart for a thundering fall. Not so. Bay Ronald cocked his ears, and as they neared the dark obstacle— hopped over like a bird. Now. they were in the paddock nearest home, with the farm kitchen light twinkling in the darkness. As he saw his own stable roof looming ahead, its black gable cutting the twilight, the terrified bay for the first time slackened speed. Then, yielding to the soothing and e.xpostulations of his master's voice, every inflection of which the intelligent animal seemed to know, Bay Ronald allowed Dick to pull him up a little way from the last gate of all, and so he walked into the Forge farmyard as docile as a lamb.

Safe now, and realising his late escape with a lively sense of gratitude, Dick shouted loudly. Out ran Giles with three or four other men who helped in the stable and on the farm. To these Saxby rapidly explained the situation, and leading the horse into his stable in a trice master and men armed themselves with a revolver on Dick's part, a pitchfork on that of Giles, and sundry other weapons snatched up by the rest. Seizing a lantern the little posse of selfmade constables hurried down the lane, but though they advanced warily and quickly, sending out skirmishers on either side, the enemy had fled and the lane was, clear. Not quite clear, however. For just before the spot where Bay Ronald had refused to proceed, and full in the middle of the lane, they found an unhinged gate laid fiat on the ground, and near at hand close inspection with the lantern revealed som,e drops of blood. Dick's* blow had taken sareeffec.

The motive of the miscreants was plain. They hoped that the horse would have plunged into the bars of the gate; if so, they would have been able to seize his rider at a disadvantage, who would probably have been unseated. It was one of Dlck'is own gates, and had been freshly painted white last summer. Tbanks to this instance of bis master's carefulness, Bay Ronald had been enabled -to see its outline, even although the lane just there seemed as black as pitch. Once they had returned to the farmyard, Dick' 3 first thought was to busy himself with the care of his hor.-e. Setting Giles and the other men to rub him dowD, Dick himself also lent a hand on Bay Ronald, and he did not cease his exertions till his favourite's glossy skin equalled ia bright ness the full dark eye turned expressively on his master. "You have saved my life, old chap," whispered Dick in the laUer's ears as he gently rubbed them — " you have, indeei, and I'll not forget it to you."