A sound startled him from his all-engrossing occupation. It was the report of a rifle.
Instinctively he stopped; at the same time raising his eyes.
A horseman, just clearing himself from the cloud of smoke now falling, dispersed over the prairie came galloping on towards the spot where Zeb stood. It was the horseman without a head.
Going at full speed, he went past the trembling hunter, and the skirt of the serape, flouted up by the wind, displayed to Stumps optics a form well known to him. The horse, the saddle, the striped blanket, the sky-blue coat and trousers even the hat upon the head were all known to him. So, too, was the figure that stood almost upright in the stirrups. The head and face must belong to the same notwithstanding their unaccountable displacement.
The episode strange as unexpected seemed to call for a change in his plans. Should he continue along the trail he was already deciphering; or forsake it for that of the steed that had just swept by?
While thus absorbed, in considering what course he had best take, he had forgotten the puff of smoke, and the report heard far off over the prairie.
Only for a moment, however. They were things to be remembered; and he soon remembered them.
Turning his eyes to the quarter where the smoke had appeared, he saw a man on horseback a real horseman, with a head upon his shoulders. He was sitting stooped in the saddle, his breast bent down to the pommel, and his eyes actively engaged in reading the ground, over which he was guiding his horse.
There could be no difficulty in ascertaining his occupation. Zeb Stump guessed it at a glance. He was tracking the headless rider. He was soon within identifying distance. It was Captain Cassius Calhoun.
I might have known it would be him, muttered the backwoodsman; and if Im not mistaken about it, heres going to be another chapter out of the same book another link thatll help me to complete the chain of evidence Im in search for.
Still closely scrutinising the trail of the Headless Horseman, Calhoun trotted past.
If there was reason before for taking the trail of the Headless Horseman, it was redoubled now. With but short time spent in consideration, so Zeb concluded; and commenced making preparations for a stalk after Cassius Calhoun.
1) What was found in the hollow of a tree? What did it prove?
2) What did Zeb ask the major for? What did he need three days for?
3) Who was stalking the headless horseman? Why?
4) Who did Zeb see in the prairie? What did he decide to do?
Chapter Twenty-One
On the third day after Maurice Gerald became an inmate of the military prison the fever had forsaken him, and he no longer talked incoherently. On the fourth he was almost restored to his health and strength. The fifth was appointed for his trial!
The accused might require the services of a legal adviser.[55] There was no regular practitioner in the place. But a lawyer had appeared: a counsellor of distinction; who had come all the way from San Antonio, to conduct the case. As a volunteer he had presented himself!
It may have been generosity on the part of this gentleman, though it was said that gold, presented by fair fingers, had induced him to make the journey.
The day before that appointed for the trial of the mustanger, a second presented himself at Fort Inge, who put forward his claim to be upon the side of the prisoner.
This gentleman had made a still longer journey than he of San Antonio; a voyage, in fact: since he had crossed the great Atlantic, starting from the metropolis of Ireland. He had come for no other purpose than to hold communication with the man accused of having committed a murder!
The Dublin solicitor was no little astonished when, after making inquiry about Maurice Gerald, he was told that the young Irishman was shut up in the guard-house.
The Irish lawyer was made welcome to go in and out of the military prison as often as it seemed good to him. Some document he had laid before the eyes of the major-commandant, had procured him this privilege.
On the day after his arrival the trial was to take place; and during most of the interval he was either in the guard-house along with the prisoner, or closeted with the San Antonio counsel.
Only once had Zeb Stump been seen conferring with them. After that he was gone both from the guard-house and the settlement, as everybody supposed, about his ordinary business in search of deer, or gobbler.
It is true he was out upon a stalking expedition; but instead of birds or beasts, he was after an animal of neither sort; one that could not be classed with creatures either of the earth or the air a horseman without a head!
Cassius Calhoun was alone in his chamber.
Its no use crying over spilt milk. She loves him she loves him! Shes met the man, and theres an end of it. Shell never meet him again, and thats another end of it except she meet him in heaven. Well; that will depend upon herself. She shall never have him. A word from her, and hes a hanged man.
She shall speak it, if she doesnt say that other word, Ive twice asked her for. The third time will be the last. One more refusal, and I show my hand. Not only shall this Irish adventurer meet his doom; but she shall be his condemner; and the plantation, house, niggers, everything Ah! uncle Woodley; I wanted to see you.
She shall speak it, if she doesnt say that other word, Ive twice asked her for. The third time will be the last. One more refusal, and I show my hand. Not only shall this Irish adventurer meet his doom; but she shall be his condemner; and the plantation, house, niggers, everything Ah! uncle Woodley; I wanted to see you.
The soliloquy was interrupted by Woodley Poindexter. Sad and silent, he had entered the apartment usually occupied by his nephew more by chance than from any purpose.
Want me! For what, nephew?
There was a tone of humility, almost obeisance, in the speech of the broken man.
I want to talk to you about Loo, was the rejoinder of Calhoun.
It was the very subject Woodley Poindexter would have shunned. It was something he dreaded to think about.
If I understand you aright, nephew, you mean marriage! Surely it is not the time to talk of it now while death is in our house!
It was evident the planter did not relish the proposed alliance.
This may seem strange. Up to a late period, he had been its advocate in his own mind and more than once, delicately, in the ear of his daughter.
It was only after the move into Texas, that the planter had a better opportunity of becoming acquainted with the true character of his nephew; and almost every day; since their arrival at Casa del Corvo, had this been developing itself to his discredit.
You mistake me, uncle. I do not mean marriage that is, not now. Only something that will secure it when the proper time arrives. What I want to say is this. Ive made up my mind to get married. Im now close upon thirty as you know; and I dont intend to keep single any longer. Im willing to have Loo for my wife. There need be no hurry about it. All I want now is her promise; signed and sealed, that there may be no uncertainty.
Well, nephew; you have certainly spoken plain enough. But I know not my daughters disposition towards you. You say you are willing to have her for your wife. Is she willing to have you? I suppose there is a question about that?
I think, uncle, it will depend a good deal upon yourself. You are her father. Surely you can convince her?
Im not so sure of that. Shes not of the kind to be convinced against her will. You, Cash, know that as well as I.
Well, I only know that Id like Loo for the mistress of Casa del Corvo, better than any other woman in the Settlement in all Texas, for that matter.
Woodley Poindexter recoiled at the ungracious speech. It was the first time he had been told, that he was not the master of Casa del Corvo! Indirectly as the information had been conveyed, he understood it.
It was the third time Calhoun had been flatly refused; and the answer told it would be the last. It was a simple No, emphatically followed by the equally simple Never!
Calhoun listened to his rejection, without much show of surprise. Possibly in all probability he expected it.
But his features remained firm.
Youre not in earnest, Loo?
I am, sir. Have I spoken like one who jests?
Youve spoken like one, who hasnt taken pains to reflect.
Upon what?
Many things.
Name them!
Well, for one the way I love you.
She made no rejoinder.
A love, he continued, in a tone half explanatory, half pleading; a love, Loo, that no man can feel for a woman, and survive it. It is no use my telling you its history. It began on the same day the same hour I first saw you.
On my first visit to your fathers house now six years ago you asked me to take a walk with you round the garden while dinner was being got ready.
You were a woman in beauty as beautiful as you are at this moment.
No doubt you little thought, as you took me by the hand, and led me along the gravelled walk, that the touch of your fingers was sending a thrill into my soul; your pretty prattle making an impression upon my heart, that neither time, nor distance, has been able to efface.
Words so eloquent, so earnest, so full of sweet flattery, could scarce fail to have effect upon a woman. Still did the Creole keep silence.
Calhoun continued
From the hour you first caught hold of my hand I can remember no change, no degrees, in the fervour of my affection; except when jealousy has made me hate Ive been so jealous with you at times, that it was a task to control myself.
Alas, cousin, I cannot help what has happened. I never gave you cause, to think-
I know what you are going to say. Ill say it for you: `to think that you ever loved me. Those were the words upon your lips.
I dont say you did, he continued, with deepening despair: I dont accuse you of tempting me. Something did. God, who gave you such beauty; or the Devil, who led me to look upon it.
I must be frank with you, Cassius. I do not I cannot, love you.
You will not marry me then?
That, at least, is an idle question. Ive said I do not love you. Surely that is sufficient.
And Ive said I love you. I gave it as one reason why I wish you for my wife: but there are others. Are you desirous of hearing them?
State them! What have I to fear?
I wont say what you have; but what your father has.