The Woodwose of Cannock Chase — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

14 THE WOODWOSE OF CANNOCK CHASE {.snnsgnsenenep anaes gsm enn S SS lncen OO cccc came, Dalton took the lead. “Lord Hugh, Bellamy and I heard a shot and came to this field where we saw the boy with the shotgun and Lady Hannah already on the ground?’ Dalton’s voice was trembling with excitement. “The caitiff jumped down from his horse, walked over to our blessed child and shot her once more. When we attempted to apprehend him, he shot John Bellamy and I blasted him before he could do no more. There is the truth of the matter. What say you now, John Deane?” “T call foul-play, Sir!” said Deane, controlling his emotions. “You are undone, as is your accomplice here.” Lord Hunstone spoke with authority. “How so, John? What claim are you insinuating?” “T was out angle-fishing with young Dick not a fortnight ago? said Deane, “and he told me he had never once used a fowling piece — let alone a shotgun — in his life. Are we to believe since that time young Dick mastered the weapon and was able to use it to shoot moving targets, his fingers half frozen by frost?” Lord Hugh looked at Dalton who returned his gaze. With decisive action, Sir Richard Dalton turned and fired at John Deane, but Jessop’s handiwork had not been enough to mend Bellamy’s sodden weapon and it exploded in Dalton’s hands. Lord Hugh immediately saw what to do and he turned his own shotgun at John Deane but before he could pull the trigger he was thrown backward onto the frozen ground by a shot from Jessop’s own fowling piece. Lowe and Jessop went directly to Lord Hugh, removed his shotgun and inspected his injury which was mortal. Sir Richard Dalton lay on the ground, his lacerated hands covering his face which was also bloodied. “T am blinded!” cried Dalton, like a tearful child. “Who has a rope?” asked Deane, and one of Hunstone’s servants climbed down from his horse and brought over a coil to Deane who began to bind fast the struggling Dalton. Lord Hunstone was beside himself. He ran to Dalton and pushed Deane gently away so that he could place his face close to his old friend. “What did you do, Dalton? When did this plan hatch and | how were you able to accomplish it?” | Now blindfolded and tied firmly, Dalton had become as meek as a kitten. “It was the Woodwose? he kept repeating over and over between sobs, “it was the Woodwose.” Lord Hugh raised his voice even as he struggled for breath, “No, Dalton - it was us. Let us own it, for my life ends here in this bloody sod and until it was betrayed this morning I had always persevered to be a man of honour. Tell them the truth, Dalton, that you too might be cleansed before meeting your Maker !” Lord Hunstone watched Lord Hugh’s final exhalation leave him and so he turned once more to look into the bloodied features of Dalton. “I ask you one last time, Richard - you have nothing to gain by twisting the truth. What was your design on my daughters and how in God’s name were you able to butcher them in so callous as manner?” Dalton strained against the rope briefly and then sobbed. “It was the Woodwose took Lady Martha and Westonby. That is God’s truth and my final answer to you.” Lord Hunstone stood and looked at John Deane. “Methinks his mind has left him, John.” Jessop now spoke up. “Lord Hunstone, me cottage is but a short distance from ‘ere. Allow me to fetch carts and a strong horse.” “Take Lord Hugh’s horse, Jessop,’ said Deane, making a plan, “and you two men go with him to help? he added, looking at the servants. So saying, Jessop climbed onto Lord Hugh’s steed and led the way across the field followed by the pair of strong young men whose names were Rose and Parker. “Lowe, if you please, I wish you to remain here and watch Dalton? instructed Deane. “Dorkins, prepare the hounds. Lord Hunstone, can you lead us back to this stag’s cave? We must discover whether Westonby still lives and I should like to determine the circum- stance under which Lady Martha met her end.” Lord Hunstone nodded agreement. “T believe I know the way back.” And so, leaving Lowe the butler to watch over the prisoner, John Deane, Lord Hunstone and ken- nel-master Dorkins rode back to the miserable cave. CHAPTER 12. ONCE MORE INTO THE CAVE John Deane still held doubts as to whether or not a supposed Woodwose had been present at any of the disasters that had occurred that terrible day. He and Dorkins stood looking down the slope that led to the cave entrance. Lord Hunstone, his emotions having gotten the better of him, declined to descend back to the resting place of his elder daughter and he had stayed at the copse with the horses. Dorkins had left Lord Hunstone one of the dogs as a protection, and brought the other hound on a short leash. Once Deane had seen the body of Westonby in the blood-stained snow he had known that to bring the dog down there would be folly. “Stay here Dorkins, this is no place for a hound. Hold him tight — unless something comes at me from the cave !” Deane instructed. Dorkins nodded and tried to control the excited hound while he watched Deane begin to pick his way down the wet slope, now filled with trails from earlier excursions. Deane felt revulsion as he looked at Westonby’s face — his neck at an impossible angle — and looking around recognised in the other scattered jumble remnants of Lady Martha’s dress, some of which were yet full with flesh ! He stepped through the wet clutter and smelt a strong, sweet odour that almost made him faint. He raised his shotgun and entered the cave, disappearing into shadow. The dull grey daylight failed to penetrate the blackness and Deane could get no bearings. He peered into the gloom and thought he may have heard something scuttle about but could only see more bones — and worse — at his feet, the elusive recesses of the cave still a dim mystery. Behind him, Deane heard the hound’s constant whining become a ferocious bark and he thought he heard Dorkins say something before the bark became a yelping. Deane turned back to the daylight and squinted as OMIGDOO S,COun