The Woodwose of Cannock Chase — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

THE WOODWOSE OF CANNOCK CHASE 13 Ve a a remains with you until your last day on this earth? answered Jessop. Lord Hunstone nodded. “My friends and I fancied we saw one this morning before the tragedy unfolded. It was on the cusp of ending Dalton’s life, but our shotguns scared it away.” Jessop’s eyes gleamed. “Then this isn’t no | ordinary ‘wose, Lord Hunstone. Attacking two | innocents in one day? This be devil’s business and no’s mistake.” The two men suddenly looked across the field as they both heard the howl of a hound. They could now hear the low thunder of horse hooves and then, through the tall bracken opposite them, came the | two dogs and John Deane’s party of riders. “Deane!” cried Lord Hunstone in relief, “Over here!” Deane’s riders slowed their pace and drew their horses to a panting halt in front of the scene. Dorkins leapt down from his saddle and reined in the hounds who were trying to get to Lady | Hannah’s corpse. Lowe, Lord Hunstone’s butler, | immediately went to his master and slipped him a small flask, whilst also gazing with horrified fascination around him. Deane jumped down from his steed and went to Lord Hunstone, all the time taking in the carnage on the white carpeted furrows. | “My Lord Hunstone, whatever has happened?” CHAPTER Il. MORE DECEIT Before Lord Hunstone could speak, a shout from behind them made everyone turn. It was Sir Richard Dalton, his face scratched, his clothes torn and his manner desperate as he stumbled from the tree-line onto the field. Dalton ran toward them, breathless and staggering and it was old Jessop who moved to help him stay on his feet and catch his breath. Lord Hunstone spoke first: “Dalton! Pray, what has happened to you and where is Westonby?” “The Woodwose - ” said Dalton and had to stop again to recover his breathing, but at the same time taking the shotgun from Jessop. Jessop looked meaningfully at Lord Hunstone. “It has done for Westonby at the stag’s cave, and was giving chase to me all the way here} gasped Dalton, looking back the way he had come, and cocking the shotgun. “Have your shotguns cocked, my fine fellows!” he shouted and those men who had weapons now hurriedly drew and prepared them while looking all about them. John Deane, ever the practical level-headed leader, took umbrage at Dalton’s authority over the men he himself had been leading for the past half of an hour. Deane approached Dalton, who now gently pushed Jessop away, being able to stand on his own as his breath returned. “Perhaps you can explain what exactly has befallen these poor wretches who lie still in the snow?” asked Deane. But before Dalton could make answer, Lord Hunstone addressed Deane as he had not done so before. “John,” began Lord Hunstone, “there is terrible news for you to bear and I only ask that you steel | yourself before your hear it.” | Deane turned away from Dalton and looked at nn nen nnrnerernnnen enn ee Lord Hunstone with curiosity. “It is Lady Hannah who lies at our feet on this cursed earth? began Lord Hunstone, looking at his deceased child, but he got no further. “Aye!” shouted Dalton, “shot in cold blood by this wretched stable boy who mistook her for a Woodwose and who then came at me with his knife causing me to end his miserable life.” Deane’s eyes shone with this intelligence. “And the gentleman over there — Mr. James Bellamy I believe — how did he meet his end?” “Why, the boy shot him down before assaulting me!” said Dalton and he pulled open his torn coat to show the dried blood stain, though with clothes so soiled, it was somewhat hard to discern. “There’s more, John.” said Lord Hunstone. Deane looked back at Lord Hunstone, and fear crept into him now. “There cannot be more” said Deane quietly. “Dear Martha has also left us? said Lord Hunstone gently, for he knew of the affection his daughters had for Deane and he in turn for them. “Aye!” cried out Dalton, “devoured by the Woodwose and her remains strewn all about that stag’s cave!” The man servants from Brockton Hall stared at each other in disbelief and Lowe took a large gulp from the flask he had retrieved from his master. “It is not believable” said Deane quietly. Dalton strode up to Deane and grabbed him by his collars. “You were not here, Deane. We all saw it with our own eyes.” Deane removed Dalton’s hands and turned to Lord Hunstone. “Lord Hunstone, did you witness any of these tragedies for yourself?” Lord Hunstone turned his face from the ground and looked at Deane. “No, John? began Lord Hunstone, “but what other possible — ” Lord Hunstone stopped as he followed the others? gaze to see a man arriving on a horse. “Hugh!” cried Lord Hunstone, “what tidings you?” Lord Hugh drew his horse to halt and looked around at the assembled men. “J reached Brockton as intended but Mr. Deane here had taken all the horses and men and so I was unable to procure a cart” said Lord Hugh. “Where ig ‘Westonby?” he asked suddenly. “The same foul Woodwose that came at me hag taken Westonby’s life, Hugh.” said Dalton. Lord Hugh stared at Dalton as if to interrogate the truth of the previous statement. “With the exception of Sir Richard here? said Deane, addressing everyone at once, “Has anyone here seen this phantom Woodwose creature attack any of the victims struck down to-day?” Lord Hunstone spoke, a deep frown on his features: “We did not, John.” Deane now continued on the path he had set out on. “And who espied young Dick here shoot Lady Hannah?” There was silence, and Dalton’s face grew red with anger. “T did? said Lord Hugh unexpectedly. “You?” said Deane. “Pray, tell us exactly what you saw.” Lord Hugh glanced at Dalton but before any words from ( © (0) MiGdoo S,COun a RE > an a io ee