The Argosy, Volume XXIV — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

14 Gabriel’s Appointment. ‘What is it, old man?” Settler answered with a little whine, partly suggestive, partly inquiring ; and Martin in his turn listened, and perceived that the dog was right. ‘There was a sound he could not account for: and it. seemed to be somewhere zz the house, not outside. He opened the dining-room door: Settler rushed out barking, and when he had been called in and silenced, there was nothing else to be heard. Again did Martin patrol passage and room, halting ever and anon to listen ; he could detect no clue to the mystery, though more convinced than ever that his conjecture was correct. Some one must have the means of coming in upon him, all his defences notwithstanding. If only he could find out how! ‘““Makes one think of that time with the bushrangers, Settler,” he said, caressing the dog’s silky ears, as they sat again by the fire, and his memory went back to one of the fierce scenes of his boyhood— his father’s log-house giving shelter to two or three exhausted fugitives pursued by thieves—the preparation for defence, with such means ‘as lay within reach—the hours of watching and expectancy—his father’s stern, set firmness of feature, as he handled his loaded piece, and the bitter laugh with which, when the alarm proved to be unfounded, he laid aside the weapon, observing that they knew better than to molest ’ one of their own fraternity. What that meant, his son had never dared to ask, and for a time had forgotten it altogether ; but it seemed to come back now as if it had been yesterday ; and again he seemed to hear the deep, mournful voice in the stillness of the night, moan- ing out the words of that awful service: ‘‘ Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s land mark.” this wont do, Settler,”'he said at last, springing up from his seat, as if to shake off the sadness creeping over him ; “we will take one more good hunt, and then we ‘will go to bed. They shall not have to boast that we could not sleep for fear of them. Let us see what time it is by the big clock. JI must have a look at it to-morrow, and see if I can make it strike.” The clock thus referred to was a large old-fashioned piece of workmanship, in an oaken case, which had been let into the wall opposite the dining-room door. According to Mrs. Medland’s account, it never struck now, though no doubt it did once uponatime. It was wound up weekly, and set, when anybody took the trouble. On examining it now, Erasmus soon discovered whence the recent sound had proceeded, for the clock had run down. He rectified that small disaster, and was consulting his own watch—Gabriel’s eift—to set it correctly, when he was surprised to see Settler, who had followed at his heels, thrust his nose inquisitively into the case, and show a decided intention of rummaging at the back. On being spoken to, he gave a little whine, and presently growled, but all Martin’s search- ing for any visible cause was fruitless. There might be rats in the walls, for all he knew ; and, at any rate, he could press his investigations comicbooks.conm