4) What was Zeb Stumps suggestion?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Directed by the judge, the accused stands forward.
Judge, and gentlemen of the jury! says he; First, have I to say: that, notwithstanding the many circumstances mentioned during the course of this trial which to you appear inexplicable my story is simple enough; and will explain some of them.
Not all of the statements you have heard are true. Some of them are false as the lips from which they have fallen.
The speakers glance, directed upon Cassius Calhoun, causes the latter to quail.
It is true that I met Miss Poindexter, as stated. It is also true that our interview was interrupted by him who is not here to speak to what occurred after.
It is true that angry words passed between us, or rather from him to me: for they were all on his side.
But it is not true that the quarrel was afterwards renewed; and the man who has so sworn dared not say it, were I free to contradict him as he deserves.
On the contrary, continues he, the next meeting between Henry Poindexter and myself, was one of apology on his part, and friendship I might say affection on mine.
There was a reconciliation, then? asks the judge. Where did it take place?
About four hundred yards from the spot where the murder was committed.
It is the first time any one has spoken positively of the spot where the murder was committed; or even that a murder has been committed at all!
You mean the place where some blood was found? interrogates the judge.
I mean the place where Henry Poindexter was assassinated.
There is a fresh exhibition of astonishment in the Court expressed in muttered speeches and low exclamations. One louder than the rest is a groan. It is given by Woodley Poindexter; now for the first time made certain he has no longer a son!
You are sure he is dead, then? is the question put to the prisoner by the prosecuting counsel.
Quite sure, responds the accused.
Go on! says the judge. Let us hear all you have to say.
It has been made known to you how we parted Miss Poindexter, her brother, and myself.
On leaving them I went to the hotel. The house was still open, and the landlord behind his bar. I took it into my head to set out at once for the Alamo, and make the journey during the cool hours of the night.
I had sent my servant before, and intended to follow in the morning; but what happened at Casa del Corvo made me desirous of getting away as soon as possible.
I travelled slowly. I was in no mood for going to sleep that night; and it mattered little to me where I should spend it on the prairie, or under the roof of my jacale. I knew I could reach the Alamo before daybreak.
I never thought of looking behind me. I had no suspicion that any one was coming after; until I had got about half a mile into the chapparal.
Then I heard the stroke of a horses hoof, that appeared hurrying up behind.
It was more from habit by living in the neighbourhood of the Indians that I drew in among the trees, and waited until the stranger should show himself.
He did so shortly after.
You may judge of my surprise when, instead of a stranger, I saw the man from whom I had so lately parted in anger. When I say anger, I dont speak of myself only him.
Was he still in the same temper? Had he come after me to demand satisfaction for the injury he supposed his sister to have sustained?
I shall not deny, that this was the impression on my mind when I saw who it was.
I was determined there should be no concealment no cowardly shrinking on my part. I loved his sister with a pure honest passion, and with my whole heart. I am not afraid to confess it. In the same way I love her still!
Despite the sadness of her heart, a gleam of joy appears on Louise Poindexters face, as she listens to the daring declaration. It is but the echo of her own; and she makes no attempt to conceal it.
The prisoner continues his recital
On seeing who it was, I rode out from among the trees, and reined up before him.
Instead of the angry scene I expected, I was joyfully surprised by his reception of me. His first words were to ask if I would forgive him for what he had said to me at the same time holding out his hand in the most frank and friendly manner.
Need I tell you that I took that hand? I knew it to be a true one; more than that, I had a hope it might one day be the hand of a brother.
We rode together for a short distance; and then stopped under the shadow of a tree.
Cigars were exchanged, and smoked; and there was another exchange the more closely to cement the good understanding established between us. It consisted of our hats and cloaks.
It was a whim of the moment suggested by myself from a fashion I had been accustomed to among the Comanches. I gave Henry Poindexter my Mexican sombrero and striped blanket taking his cloak and Panama hat.
We then parted he riding away, myself remaining.
I no longer cared for going on to the Alamo that night. I was happy enough to stay under the tree; I dismounted; wrapped myself up in the cloak; and with the hat upon my head, lay down upon the grass.
In three seconds I was asleep.
I could not have been unconscious for more than two minutes, when a sound awoke me. It was the report of a gun.
I sprang to my feet, and stood listening. But as I could hear nothing more, and the mustang soon quieted down, I came to the conclusion that I had been mistaken.
I again lay down along the grass; and once more fell asleep.
This time I was not awakened until the raw air of the morning began to chill me through the cloak.
I was about to continue my journey.
But the shot seemed still ringing in my ears. It appeared, too, to be in the direction in which Henry Poindexter had gone.
Fancy or no fancy, I could not help connecting it with him; nor yet resist the temptation to go back that way and seek for an explanation of it.
I did not go far till I found it. Oh, Heavens! What a sight! I saw
The Headless Horseman! exclaims a voice from the outer circle of the spectators, causing one and all to turn suddenly in that direction.
It is the Headless Horseman himself seen out upon the open plain, in all his fearful shape!
Hes making straight for the Fort!
Hes making straight for the Fort!
As if to contradict that assertion, the strange equestrian makes a sudden pause upon the prairie, and stands observing the crowd gathered around the tree.
Then, apparently not liking the looks of what is before him, the horse gives utterance to his dislike with a loud snort, followed by a still louder neighing.
Three-fourths of the spectators forsake the spot, and rush towards their horses.
The chase leads straight across the prairie towards the tract of chapparal, ten miles distant. But few get within sight of the thicket; and only two enter it, in anything like close proximity to the escaping horseman.
The two men are Cassius Calhoun and Zeb Stump.
In a short time both are lost to the eyes of those riding less resolutely behind.
On through the thicket rush the three horsemen.
Curse the damned thing! cries Calhoun, with a gesture of chagrin. Its going to escape me again! Not so much matter, if there were nobody after it but myself. But there is this time. That old hounds coming on through the thicket.
Calhoun rides forward fast as the track will allow him.
Two hundred paces further on, and he again comes to a halt surprise and pleasure simultaneously lighting up his countenance.
The Headless Horseman is standing among some low trees. The horse has become engaged in a sort of struggle with his head half buried among the bushes. Calhoun sees that it is held there, and it has become entangled around the stem of a tree!
Caught at last! Thank God thank God!
In another instant, he is by the side of the Headless Horseman!
Calhoun clutches at the bridle. The horse tries to avoid him, but cannot. The rider pays no attention, nor makes any attempt to avoid the capture; but sits stiff and mute in the saddle.
Suddenly the captor draws his knife from its sheath; clutches a corner of the serape; raises it above the breast of the Headless rider; and then bends towards him, as if intending to plunge the blade into his heart!
But the blow is stayed by a shout sent forth from the chapparal by the edge of which Zeb Stump has just made his appearance.
Stop that game! cries the hunter, riding out from the underwood and advancing rapidly through the low bushes; stop it!
Forsaken by two-thirds of its spectators abandoned, by one-half of the jury the trial taking place under the tree is of necessity interrupted.
Everyone hopes that the Headless Horseman will be captured. They believe that his capture will not only supply a clue to the mystery of his being, but will also throw light on that of the murder.
There is one among them who could explain the first though ignorant of the last. The accused could do this; and will, when called upon to continue his confession.
After a while the pursuers return. It is soon discovered that two who started in the chase have not reappeared. They are the old hunter and the ex-captain of volunteers. The latter has been last seen heading the field, the former following not far behind him.
An hour elapses, and there is no sign of them either with or without the captive.
It is decided to go on with the trial as much of it as can be got through without the witness who is absent. He may be back before the time comes for calling him.
1) Who overtook Maurice? What did he want?
2) What did Maurice and Henry do after their reconciliation?
3) Who interrupted Maurices account?
4) Who managed to overtake the headless horseman? What was Calhoun about to do when Zeb appeared?
Chapter Twenty-Four
You were about to tell us what you saw, proceeds the counsel for the accused, addressing himself to his client. Go on, and complete your statement. What was it you saw?
A man lying at full length upon the grass.
Asleep?
Yes; in the sleep of death. On bending over him, I saw that he had been beheaded!
What! His head cut off?
Just so. He was upon his face with the head in its natural position. Even the hat was still on it!
As I stooped low to look at it, I perceived the salt smell that proceeds from human blood. I no longer doubted that it was a dead body I was bending over; and I set about examining it.