Cruel As The Grave

Joe led the saddle horses close behind, and so they went on.

"Joe," said Mr. Berners, "I hope that all things go on well at home."

"As well as can be, sir, marser and missus being away. Capping Pendulum,

he shows his powerful 'torney, and tends to the 'state. And Missus

Winterose and her darters minds the house. Only they's in constant

terrors all along o' that band o' bugglers."

"Band of burglars, Joe?"

"Yes, sir, and highway robbers as well."

"Indeed! Joe, I have twice lately heard this band spoken of. Does such

a one really exist?"

"Well, sir, it do. The neighborhood never was so mislested with

robbers since a neighborhood it has been. Why, sir, Mr. Morgan's new

store, at Blackville was broke open and robbed of about twelve hundred

dollars' worth of goods in one night."

"And none of it recovered!"

"No, sir. And, sir, Capping Pendulum's own house was entered and robbed

of jewelry and plate to the tune of about two thousand dollars."

"I am very sorry for that! And no clue to the robbers?"

"Not the leastest in the world, sir! And no later'n last night, Judge

Beresford was riding home from the village, where he had been at the

tavern, playing cards with a lot of gentlemen, and had won a deal of

money, which he had about him, when, in the middle of the long woods

below his own house, he was stopped by two men; one who seized his

bridle, and one who pinted a pistol at his head, and gave him his choice

of his money or his life. The Judge he choose his life, and handed over

his winnins."

"I'm not sorry for him! A man who gains money in that way deserves to

lose it. But I am astounded at all that you have told me."

"Yes, sir! and the old ladies in charge of Black Hall is more 'stounded

than you are, sir; being 'stounded to that degree that they sleep with

the dogs in the room; long of 'em."

"This should be seen to. There should be a vigilance committee. But here

we are at the path, Joe, and my wife is still in a deep sleep; and I do

not wish to wake her; nor can we drive the cart through the thicket.

Hold! I'll tell you what we can do. We can take the mattress by its four

corners, and carry her on it to the chapel. If we are careful, we need

not even wake her," said Mr. Berners, as he stopped the cart and got

down from his seat.

Joe tied the two saddle horses to one of the trees, and came around to

the cart to help his master.

Between them they cautiously lifted the mattress, and bore it along

towards the opening of the path.