The Myster of the West Country

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20639, 30 January 1937, Page 13

The Myster of the West Country

By

Ruth Hertslet

CHAPTER VIII THE UNKNOWN PASS Mary watched In consternation as the strange horseman approached the tree in which Jocelyn was hiding. She saw him dismount and fondle the dog. Then to her horror she saw Jocelyn slide down the tree and stand before him. Her heart thrilled as Jocelyn mounted the beautiful horse, only to sink again. She saw the horse turn quietly to its owner, saw the man swing himself into the saddle, and man and girl and horse disappeared from sight. With a heavy heart she realised that it would be useless to attempt to follow them, i There would be no hoofmarks on this grassy country. Then she realised that the dog had rounded up the sheep and started them off again. At best she could follow him and discover where the sheep were being taken. For many weary miles she followed up hill and down dale. Once she saw quite closgly, a wild boar, and trembled with fear. She caught sight of a stag, splendidly silhouetted on the skyline; she heard bell-birds and tuis, but was too tired and anxious to appreciate the beauty of their songs. At last the dog turned the sheep Into a steep and narrow gorge, which wound between the hills for a couple of miles, then opened broadly into flat, undulating country. Mary held her breath! This was the East Country! She was on the other side of the Parka Range! The dog had driven the sheep through an unknown pass that connected the West Country with the East! No wonder they were never found! No wonder the sheep stealers remained undiscovered. They could be seen in any township they wished, or in any shepherd's hut, providing a perfect alibi, while the yellow collie cleverly drove the sheep literally through the mountains. Down a tussocky gully the sheep were driven, and into a small paddock, well hidden from the eye of any casual passer-by. The dog settled himself comfortably at the open gate, and prepared to enjoy a well earned rest. Mary too, was tired and sleepy; so she found a comfortable spot amongst the high tussocks, determined to rest before starting on her homeward journey. What news she would have to impart! Ax yellow collie driving sheep, unaided, through an unknown pass! A strange horseman kidnapping Jocelyn! Jocelyn! Mary sat up suddenly! After all she must not rest! She must return at once and tell of the strange horseman who had ridden off with Jocelyn. She was very tired and footsore, but resolutely she squared her shoulders. She would start on her homeward journey Immediately. Wearily she rose, then crouched suddenly, eyes and ears alert. The sound of galloping feet, and once more the strange horseman with his beautiful horse came into sight. But he was alone! Jocelyn was nowhere to be seen. Crouching in the tussocks, Mary waited further developments. The collie Jumped up and ran Joyfully to his master, who fondled him for about live minutes. Then Mary saw the sheep once more rounded up, driven out of the small paddock, up the gully, across the hill, and down into the next valley. This time it was the man who drove them, (for the dog had swiftly disappeared) and the sheep, tired as they were, were bustled along at a great rate. Mary watched them climb wearily up the steep side of the gully, saw them bustled over the top, and disappear from sight, followed by the horse-man. She was about to stand up and follow them, when she became aware of a strange fact. Sheep and horse and man had gone down into the next gully— but the man had come back! He. was lying on the top of the hill, peering intently in her direction. Mary lay very still! Had she been detected? The man also lay still, continuing his vigil. "At all events," thought Mary, “IH be forced to have a rest, now.” For some hours she lay, tired but kept awake by the excitement of the adventure. How glad she was of the dates and chocolates she had put in her pocket. " ‘Be Prepared’ is an excellent motto,” she smiled to herself. Suddenly her muscles grew taut! More developments! more galloping . hoofs! Another horseman swung into view Judge Cowper! She stared in amazement. What on earth was he doing here? She watched him gallop down the gully, saw him glance angrily at the empty paddock, saw him consult his watch impatiently! Then her heart trembled with fear. Up the hill he rode and dismounted within a chain of where she lay hidden among the tall tussock. He strode a few paces restlessly, glancing continuously at his watch. "Blast the man,” she heard him say. "He should have been here hours ago! Shrewd work on my part.” he chuckled. "Lone Star Bill would give a great deal to know that the paper that would prove his innocence is even now in my hip pocket!—but he won’t find it. He’ll serve my ends for some time yet—-he and his wonder dog. 10,000 sheep this season! Not a bad record for a Judge!” and he smiled evilly. “This his last trip indeed! Lone Star Bill will dance to my tune for many months yet!—or—or—he’ll know I am Judge Cowper!" For an hour or more he waited im-

patiently, then, ’scowling darkly, mounted his horse.

“If he’s double-crossed me, he’ll pay for it,” he muttered savagely. “I’ll spy him out in his mountain eyrie!” So saying, he turned his horse and rode out of sight. (to be continued). THE WILY HEDGEHOG Mr Hedgehog stood at the front door of his little house one bright Sunday morning. "I think I’ll take a walk, my dear,” he called to his wife, who was busy bathing the children (she always bathed them on Sundays). “I’ll be back in time for breakfast.” So off he went, stumbling along on his turned-in feet, and presently he met Herbie Hare, very slick and dandified. “Where away, where away, Mr Hedgehog?” Inquired the hare in tones so lofty as to be positively insulting. "Just taking a walk,” replied the hedgehog peaceably. “Walking! On what?” jeered the hare rudely. “Those bandy legs?” Now, Mr Hedgehog, like most of his family, was sensitive about the shape of his legs. He knew they were a little peculiar, but he preferred to be allowed to forget about them. "I can move as well on my legs as you can on yours,” Mr Hedgehog declared stoutly. “Well, prove it then, prove it,” demanded the hare. “I challenge you to a race. What will you wager that I cannot move faster and better than you?” “Well,” said Hedgehdg most unwillingly, "I’ll wager ninepence”—which was indeed all he possessed. “Ninepence!” repeated Hare scornfully. “I wouldn’t stretch my legs for ninepence. We’ll make it four silver crowns.” Now, the hare knew perfectly well that the hedgehog had never possessed so much money in his life, and he was a trifle surprised when suddenly the hedgehog smiled cheerfully, and agreed. "There’s no time like the present," said the hare. "No,” agreed the hedgehog, “but I haven’t had my breakfast yet, and no hedgehog runs well on an empty stomach.” "As well on a stomach as on those legs,” said the hare, trying to be funny, but the hedgehog appeared not to hear, and the two agreed to meet again in half an hour. Off went the hare to practice a few runs in the paddock, and Mr Hedgehog stumbled away as fast as he could toward his home. He was quite breathless when he burst In the front door. “My dear,” he panted, "My dear, come at once. Leave the children to dry themselves, leave everything and come with me.” Mrs Hedgehog dried her hands on her apron and followed her husband, wondering what on earth it was all about. Mr Hedgehog led her into a newly ploughed field near by, and walked her right along one of the big furrows. The furrow was so deep that Mrs Hedgehog thought it was just like walking in a ditch. When they got to the far end Mr Hedgehog bade his wife sit herself down and prepare for a long wait. “I’m going back now,” said he, "and I shall persuade the hare to use these furrows for race tracks. I’ll arrange to run along this one, and he .shall run along the next. But I sha’n’t really run at all. As soon as he says ’Go’ I shall toddle forward a few Inches, and then return to the starting point. When the hare arrives up here you must be puffing and panting, and must say, ‘So here you are at last! My, you’re slow!’ or something like that. Do you see?” Mrs Hedgehog nodded her head, and certainly the pair were so alike that it wasn’t in the least likely that Mr Hare would guess that Mrs Hedgehog was not her husband. So back hurried the hedgehog and met the hare. “Good gracious, I thought you’d never stop eating,” complained the latter. “Come on now, let’s start.” .“Not so fast, my friend,” said Mr Hedgehog. “I’ve seen you and your brothers run before. You tear round in circles, and seem to have no idea of keeping straight. “Let's run along those furrows, and then we must keep straight, and it’ll be a proper race.” “All right,” said the hare. “I don’t care where we run, but let’s get on With it.” “I’ll take this one and you take the one next,” said Mr Hedgehog. “Ready, set, GO!” bellowed Mr Hare and away they went. At least, Mr Hare did; his wily companion only stumbled along for a foot or so and then turned back. Very soon Mr Hare arrived at the other end, and was astonished to see the hedgehog sitting there resting. “Goodness! I thought you’d never get here,” panted the prickly backed little creature. “A short run like that is no test for the speed of a fellow like me,” said the hare. “Let’s do it again.” “Certainly!" said the hedgehog. And the hare flashed down his furrow like a streak of lightning. But fast as he ran, there was the hedgehog before . him, panting a bit as he exclaimed: "Well, well, you take your time, don’t you?” “Again!” demanded the hare. And off he went again. Back and to he ran, always to find the hedgehog waiting

for him with some tormenting remark. At last he fell on his back puffing, exhausted, completely beaten and humbled—and the hedgehogs collected the four silver crowns; enough, they decided, to educate all their children at the very best school. News of the remarkable race spread far and wide, and all the creatures came to shake Mr Hedgehog by the paw.

“Congratulations on winning the race!” they said. “How lucky I was to choose a wife so like myself,” said Mr Hedgehog under his breath. "What a pretty pickle I’d have been in if I’d married a tortoise or a tiger or a toad!”