About a month after the marriage Captain James Armstrong was returning
one night on horseback from Dartmouth to the home of his wife's family,
where he was sojourning prior to setting off upon a long voyage, it
having been decided that the young couple should not set up in
housekeeping till his return from sea, so that the lady might have some
companionship during his absence.
He had been to the principal inn to dine with some officers whose
vessels had just touched there from Falmouth, and Humphrey, who had been
present, had felt some doubt about letting him go home alone.
"You've had too much punch, Jem," he said. "Sleep here to-night, and
don't let your young wife see you in that state."
"You're a fool," was the surly reply.
"You can get a good bed here, and ride home in the morning," said
Humphrey, quietly. "You had better stay."
"Mind your own business, upstart," cried the captain; and ordering his
horse he mounted and set off with a lurch, first on one side, and then
on the other, each threatening to send him out of the saddle.
"He'll be all right, Armstrong," said a jovial-looking officer,
watching. "Come, have another glass. By the time he is at the top of
the long hill he will be sober as a judge."
"Perhaps so," said Humphrey aloud. Then to himself, "I don't half like
it, though. The road's bad, and I shouldn't care for anything to happen
to him, even if it is to make me heir to the estate. I wish I had not
let him go."
He returned to the room where the officers had commenced a fresh bowl of
punch, for they had no longer journey before them than upstairs to their
rooms, and there were plenty of servants to see them safely into bed, as
was the custom in dealing with the topers of that day.
"I've done wrong," said Humphrey Armstrong, after partaking of one glass
of punch and smoking a single pipe of tobacco from a tiny bowl of Dutch
ware. "He was not fit to go home alone."
He said this to himself as an officer was trolling forth an anacreontic
song.
"It's a long walk, but I shall not feel comfortable unless I see whether
he has got home safely; and it will clear away the fumes of the liquor.
Here goes."
He slipped out of the room, and, taking a stout stick which was the
companion of his hat, he started forth into the cool night air, and
walked sturdily away in the direction of his cousin's home.
About half an hour later the drowsy groom, who was sitting up for the
captain's return, rose with a sigh of satisfaction, for he heard the
clattering of hoofs in the stable-yard.
"At last!" he cried; and, taking a lighted lantern, he hurried out, to
stand in dismay staring at the empty saddle, which had been dragged
round under the horse's belly, and at the trembling animal, breathing
hard and shaking its head.
"Why, she's all of a muck," muttered the man; "and the captain ar'n't on
her. He be fallen off, I'd zwear."
The man stood staring for a few minutes, while the horse pawed
impatiently, as if asking to be admitted to its stable. Then he opened
the door, the weary beast went in, and the man stood staring with true
Devon stolidity before he bethought him of the necessity for removing
the saddle from its awkward position.
This seen to, it suddenly occurred to him that something ought to be
done about the captain, and he roused up the coachman to spread the
alarm in the house.
"Nay, we'll only scare the poor ladies to death," said the Jehu of the
establishment, grey hairs having brought him wisdom. "Let's zee virst,
lad, if there be anything really bad. If he be droonk and valled off,
he won't thank us for telling his wife. Zaddle the dwo coach-horses,
Ridgard, and we'll ride to town and zee."
The horses were quickly saddled, and the two men-servants trotted along
the Dartmouth road till about half-way, where, in one of the gloomiest
parts, their horses began to snort and exhibit signs of fear, and as
they drew up a voice shouted--
"Here! Who's that! Help!"
"Why, it be Mr Humphrey," said the old coachman; and dismounting he
gave his rein to his companion, and ran forward. "What be wrong, zir?"
"The captain. Much hurt," was the reply.
"I thought zo, zir. His horse comed home without him. He's been
throwed--or pulled off," he added to himself.
"It's something worse, I'm afraid. Here, help me, and let's get him
home."
The old coachman lent his aid, and with some difficulty the captain was
placed across one of the horses, the lieutenant mounting to hold him on
and support him, while the two servants followed slowly behind.
"Pulled off?" whispered the groom.
"Mebbe," said the old coachman; and then to himself, "Looks bad for Mr
Humphrey; and if he died, what should I zay to them as asked how I found
'em?"
The old man walked slowly on for half an hour before he answered his
mental question, and his answer was--
"They'd make me tell 'em the truth, and it might bring Mr Humphrey to
the gallows; and if it did, it would be all through me."