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Updated: May 24, 2025
For we are very quiet folk, not prating our own virtues 'Enough, good John, enough! Knowest thou not that modesty is the maidenhood of virtue, lost even by her own approval? Now hast thou ever heard or thought that De Whichehalse is in league with the Doones of Bagworthy?
And by this time there was no man, at least in our parish, but knew for the Parson himself had told us so that it was the devil groaning because the Doones were too many for him. Marwood de Whichehalse was not so alarmed but what he saw a fine opportunity. I hope he did not, because that to me would seem not the deed of a gentleman, and he was of good old family.
For now as the winter passed, the Doones were not keeping themselves at home, as in honour they were bound to do. Nevertheless, it was not so; they had made complaint about something too much ewe-mutton, I think it was and in spite of all the pledges given, they had ridden forth, and carried away two maidens of our neighbourhood. And who would have her two girls now, clever as they were and good?
Stupid as I always have been, and must ever be no doubt, I could well have told Uncle Reuben that his journey was no wiser than that of the men of Gotham; that he never would get from Hugh de Whichehalse a warrant against the Doones; moreover, that if he did get one, his own wig would be singed with it.
'Hould thee tongue, lad, he said sharply; 'us be naigh the Doone-track now, two maile from Dunkery Beacon hill, the haighest place of Hexmoor. So happen they be abroad to-naight, us must crawl on our belly-places, boy. I knew at once what he meant those bloody Doones of Bagworthy, the awe of all Devon and Somerset, outlaws, traitors, murderers.
'How say you then, John Ridd, he cried, stretching out one hand, like Elijah; 'is this a thing of the sort you love? Is this what you are used to? 'So please your worship, I answered; 'no kind of violence can surprise us, since first came Doones upon Exmoor. Up to that time none heard of harm; except of taking a purse, maybe, or cutting a strange sheep's throat.
'No, you dear. I must rid you of these things. I see that you are bigoted. The Doones are firing Dunkery beacon, to celebrate their new captain. 'But how could they bring it here through the snow? If they have sledges, I can do nothing. 'They brought it before the snow began.
"At sight of my men, although we were but five in all, the robbers fled, thinking the regiment was there; but it is God's truth that I thought little of anyone's peril compared with thine. But there need be no fear for John Ridd; the Doones are mighty afraid of him since he cast their culverin through their door." "Was that the John Ridd I have heard so much of?
And Margery Badcock came, and wept, and hung upon her poor husband; and died, that summer, of heart-disease. I like not to tell of slaughter, though it might be of wolves and tigers; and that was a night of fire and slaughter, and of very long-harboured revenge. Enough that ere the daylight broke upon that wan March morning, the only Doones still left alive were the Counsellor and Carver.
What noble family but springs from a captain among robbers? Trade alone can spoil our blood; robbery purifies it. The robbery of one age is the chivalry of the next. We may start anew, and vie with even the nobility of France, if we can once enrol but half the Doones upon our lineage."
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