The Woodwose of Cannock Chase — page 11: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SS eUE—————KX__—ee 6 THE WOODWOSE OF CANNOCK CHASE past the copse and headed toward a further tree line. As they emerged from the trees, the four men had a clear view below them of the cave chosen so long ago by an exhausted stag to be its final place of refuge. They could see that in front of the cave entrance were objects scattered on the snow. Many tracks difficult to name, made curling lines all about. The cave itself was black to look at and gave no secrets away. “IT will go on down to the entrance? said Westonby. “Stay here and watch closely.” So saying, Westonby carefully took a step onto the snow-covered slope that led down to the cave. Lord Hunstone, Lord Hugh and Bellamy raised their shotguns and stood ready to fire if anything should emerge suddenly from the black hole. Hs * * * * Dalton waited for Dick to tell him what he already held in suspicion. “Naught but sleeping bats, Sir? said Dick as he reappeared out of the fifth cave they had examined. “So be it? said Dalton, “we shall ride back toward Brockton and see if Lord Hunstone fared better.” They drove their horses up a bank and through a thin wood before finding the track they had lately rode on. At once, the riders kicked their horses and the caves and the hopes of finding Lady Martha and Lady Hannah in them were left behind in the silent snow. Hs * * 2 * James Bellamy stood at the rear watching the progress of Westonby as he made his way to the large cave entrance. Bellamy was alert to the fact that he had both a vulnerability and responsibility being stationed as he was at the group’s back. Thus thinking, he had turned away from the others and watched back along the track they had taken. Two times he had started when he heard noises, but had faith that it was the sound of their horses, tied not so far away by the copse. The third time he heard a noise, his doubts were sorely tested and he made a half turn back to his neighbour. “T say Hugh? whispered Bellamy, “did you hear something?” Lord Hugh turned in Bellamy’s direction and peered back toward the copse. “Nay? said Lord Hugh, “itll be the horses methinks.” But then both men heard a low growl that no equine could produce, lest it were a horse born in hell! Bellamy and Lord Hugh looked at each other and both took a step forward. “Where is it?” breathed Bellamy sharply. They both waited for further sound and they were not kept long waiting! The sound of a neighing horse can pierce the silent cloth of any night, but on such a silent winter’s day as this that sound is like the trumpet of the devil! But the sound that all the men now shuddered to hear was far worse! It was the sound of many horses neighing and snorting, greatly disturbed by something unseen. “It’s attacking the horses!” cried Bellamy and he and Lord Hugh both moved to return to the copse. Lord Hunstone was at that moment torn! Should he follow Lord Hugh and Bellamy back to the horseg or stay to support and watch over Westonby who was now on the threshold of the cave? He turned back to look at Westonby who had heard the commotion and was looking up expectantly at Lord Hunstone. Without a word crossing his lips, Lord Hunstone gestured with his shotgun for Westonby to continue into the stag’s cave and Westonby knew that he meant to stand firm and watch the venture. It took but a minute for Bellamy and Lord Hugh to get back to the horses and they both caught sight of a dark figure moving at speed away from the frightened beasts. “It is he” cried Bellamy, “it’s the Woodwose!” Lord Hunstone heard the cry, but was determined to offer protection to his old friend Westonby. Lord Hunstone cursed under his breath. “I dare not leave Westonby until we know the cave here be innocent.” At the copse, Lord Hugh and Bellamy were trying to calm the horses and mount them in order to give chase. They soon achieved this and were away on the trail despite their steeds’ reluctance. CHAPTER 5. A TRAGIC END Sir Richard Dalton and young Dick were picking their way along the edge of a large field. Where the snow had part thawed the earth showed through and from a distance, these patterns could be mistaken for tracks. Thrice Dalton believed he had found boot imprints, but Dick had disappointed him by soon explaining they were the confused marks of deer. Cocked and alert as they were, they both jumped in their saddles when they heard a gunshot. The shot echoed in that winter landscape and both men looked about them trying to divine the origin. At the stag’s cave, the shot transformed the mind of Lord Hunstone. “Westonby!” shouted Lord Hunstone, “we must leave now! Bellamy must have something, and nothing stirs in your cave!” “No!” hissed Westonby, “there is something here, I sense it.” “We must see what Bellamy is about, Westonby?” said Lord Hunstone. “IT require you to stay here, Hunstone? said ‘Westonby. Lord Hunstone made his decision. He raised his loaded shotgun and began to edge down the slope toward the cave and Westonby. “Wait no more Westonby? said Lord Hunstone, “let us enter the darkness together.” a * * 2 * Bellamy and Lord Hugh were riding as fast as their steeds could manage, but the going was slow as thick bush and low branches tripped and grabbed at them. Bellamy had indeed caught sight of a distant, dark, shambling figure and had let go a shot praying for luck. But none was to be had, and so they pushed their horses onward until they almost tumbled out of the woods onto a large field, in size perhaps five hectares or more. The two men looked sharply about them. comicloo