Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

WHITE HEATHER WEATHER. and Samson Integrity felt as if the four horses beneath him were destined to carry him into the world of which his life had been the dream without any reality. Now a door closed in the tavern, and Samson saw the three figures crossing the courtyard, the coachman with one of the ladies on either arm. He turned his face to the front as stiffly as a sentinel on guard and then heard the creaking and the slight give of the coach as the ladies entered the body of the vehicle. Am instant later the coachman sprang up beside him, He was in the greatest good humor, this broad hat cocked on one side of his head, and his dark eyes sparkling. “Ready, Tom!” he called, and tossed a coin that glinted as it whirled. “ Ready, sir,” answered Tom, and stepped away from the horses’ heads. “ Softly!” cautioned a voice from the in- terior of the coach. .“ We will be heard!” “ And why should we not be heard?” challenged the coachman without lowering his voice. ‘“‘ Gad ’a’ mercy, madam, are we not on the king’s highway. MHal-looo!” And his hunting cry echoed and re- echoed from the stern face of Jerry-on-the- Hill. The horses started together at the sudden shout and burst into a full gallop down the slope; at which a muffled scream came again from within, but the strong arm of Samson Integrity pulled the team quickly to a trot. He turned to his companion, “ Master Coachman,” he said grimly, “ if you adventure such foolery a second time, I shall take you by the collar and pitch you into the road.” The other was not in the least perturbed. ‘‘A fair warning,” he said, ‘ breaks no bones. I thank you from my heart, noble Samson Integrity. But what, a God’s name, is that creature stalking us through the woods yonder?”’ Following his gesture, Samson saw a shadowy form running through the near-by copse and keeping equal pace with them, though he could not distinguish any feature of the animal. “Tt should not be a wolf,” said Samson thoughtfully, ‘ yet sometimes they range-as far down as this, and what else would be running the forest on such a time?” 30 suggested the “For if the fat woman hears “Lower your voice,” coachman. us, she'll pipe up and raise the countryside. The beast may be crazed with hunger and attack the horses. I’ve heard of such things in this damned wilderness of a shire.” “Take the reins,” said Samson quietly, “if you can manage them with your one hand, and lend me that pistol at your belt.” “Tut, tut!” chuckled the coachman. “You would not have me think you could hit such a fantom of a target as that by this light and at such a distance?” ‘Tf it shoots never so true,” answered Samson Inegrity with confidence, “I will put a bullet into yonder night-ranger. For aught I know, that may be the very cause that Mother Walker has lost so many geese lately.” The coachman made no further objec- ‘tion, but took the reins and surrendered the pistol. Samson raised the heavy weapon to draw a sight. “Tf you hit that wolf from such a jolting place as this seat,” said the coachman, lean- ing over to watch, “you shall have a broad. guinea, my fine fellow.” “You may keep your guineas,” respond- ed Samson coldly, “ but harder marks than ithat have been struck from the back of a running horse.” The coachman favored his companion with a quick, straight, probing glance, and fell into a sudden silence. At the same time the animal among the trees swerved sud- denly toward them, and as it reached the clear Samson half rose from the seat and leveled his weapon; but he did not fire, and after a moment lowered the pistol, ex- claiming, “‘ It is Geoffrey!” ‘A hound and a right noble one!” cried ‘the coachman. “ He has never left his kennel before at night saving when the followed my father on some dangerous trip,”’ said Samson with emotion. ‘ He has never even followed be- fore except when he was summoned. I can< not understand it!” ' The deer-hound was now running at the side of the road, his head turned toward his master, “Back, Geoffrey!” * Back to the house!” called Samson, cComiclool (©