United States or San Marino ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Mallalieu, who was plainly amazed by this strange conduct, glared at Stoner. "You want a word or two with me?" he exclaimed. "For why, pray? and why here?" "Here's a convenient spot," said Stoner, with a nasty laugh. "We're all alone. Not a soul near us. You wouldn't like anybody to overhear what I've got to say." Mallalieu stared at the clerk during a full minute's silence.
In the following modest words he records the event in his autobiography: "I remained with my family on the Clinch river until the sixth of June, 1774, when I, and one Michael Stoner, were solicited by Governor Dunmore of Virginia, to go to the Falls of the Ohio to conduct into the settlements a number of surveyors that had been sent thither by him some months before, this country having about this time drawn the attention of many adventurers.
And as he threw it up, and as the heavy blow fell, the old, rotten railing against which Stoner had leant so nonchalantly, gave way, and he fell back through it, and across the brow of the quarry and without a sound. Mallalieu heard the crash of his stick on his victim's temples; he heard the rending and crackling of the railings but he heard neither cry, nor sigh, nor groan from Stoner.
If anybody had looked over Stoner's shoulder they would have seen him gazing at a mass of figures. The half-sheet of foolscap was covered with figures: the figuring extended to the reverse side. And what a looker-on might not have known, but what Stoner knew very well the figures were all of Cotherstone's making clear, plain, well-formed figures.
Who, then, struck the blow which killed Stoner, or, if it did not actually kill him, caused his death by bringing about the fall which broke his neck? Was it Mallalieu? or was it Cotherstone? That one or other, or both, were guilty of Kitely's murder, and possibly of Stoner's, Brereton was by that time absolutely certain.
If Gray cherished any lingering doubts as to the loyalty of Mallow, erstwhile victim of his ruthlessness, or of McWade and Stoner, the wildcat promoters, those doubts vanished during the next day or two. As a matter of fact, the readiness, nay, the enthusiasm with which they fell in with his schemes convinced him that he had acted wisely in yielding to an impulse to trust them.
Murphy follows me.... And I think we should be on our way," he added, impatiently. We walked back to the house, where old man Stoner and his two big boys stood with our riflemen, drinking flip. "Elerson," I said, "ride my mare and lead the other horses back to Varicks'. Murphy, you will pilot us to Beacraft's. Jack, go forward with Murphy."
After we pass there, we won't see another for five miles, and when we do it will be Windburne. There, you can catch a glimpse of the place now." "Couldn't we stop and get warm?" asked Elizabeth, her teeth chattering. "My feet are numb!" "Yes; perhaps it would be better. We'll get Mrs. Stoner to heat bricks for our feet. She's very hospitable, and will make us comfortable."
And he went on thinking for a long time after his head had sought his pillow. "Well, it's Saturday tomorrow, anyway!" he mused at last. "Which is lucky." Next day being Saturday and half-holiday Stoner attired himself in his best garments, and, in the middle of the afternoon, took train for Darlington.
"And what brings you here, anyway? Business?" "Just a bit of business," answered Stoner. "Nothing much, though only a call to make, later on. I'm stopping the night, though." "Wish we could ha' put you up here, old sport!" said Myler, ruefully. "But we don't live in a castle, yet. All full here! unless you'd like a shakedown on the kitchen table, or in the wood-shed.
Word Of The Day