Part 13 (1/2)
Hereupon, Davenport mentioned the names of the witnesses he wished subp[=oe]ned ”And now, Squire,” he added, ”that this matter is concluded between us, how co?”
Ketchuh his countenance expressed none, for it was only a short tione over the whole subject with his client, and the plan of operations had been agreed on between them He understood, however, the character of Davenport too well not to know that he had a reason of his own for asking, and not doubting it would come out in the course of the conversation, he replied very composedly that it would probably be reached the next ter of his case, Ketchu concluded what it pleased hi by way of farewell, he walked to the door, when suddenly turning, as if the thought had just struck him, he observed--”By the way, if anybody should happen to notice that I had called on you, I have no objections to your saying I had a talk with you about that case of Fanning's”
As soon as the door was closed, Ketchued in a low sarcastic laugh ”The old sinner,” he said, aloud; ”he is a cute one; sharp as a pin, but needles are sharper What a knack he has of whipping the devil round the stuood for preaching And he flatters hiet up earlier for that It is my opinion his only chance when his turn co his Satanic Majesty Well, practice h of it I do declare,” he added, after a pause, as if scruples of conscience were arising in his mind, ”I am almost sorry I undertook this business But all tradeshirand juror He found no difficulty in inducing hi first satisfied him that an offence had been committed which the law compelled him to notice officially
Squire Miller, however, seemed disposed, at first, to take a different view of the subject He said he had known Holden a good many years, and never heard harhty sorand juror insisted, of course he would issue the warrant
The minister of the law must have been inexorable, for the coned in due form and delivered to Basset to be executed
CHAPTER XII
_Esculus_--Come hither tohave you been in this place of constable?
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
We have seen that when the constable left the shop he felt some anxiety about the proper course to be pursued On the one hand were his duty and avarice, on the other his fears After some meditation he finally effected a co the resolution to wait until the fore, where, he thought he would be less likely, in open day, and surrounded by others, to resist, or, if he did, the assistance of the bystanders ht be commanded
Two or three days passed in thisthe five persons above- of the warrant The excitement had died away, and the little community supposed no notice would be taken of the occurrence, and, for the most part, were disposed that none should be Meanwhile, Basset, like a spider in the centre of his atched for his victim, ready to pounce upon him, as soon as the propitious moment should arrive It is curious how the desire to capture Holden increased with delay At first, and in the prospect of i relished, but as ti, and his an to assuan to fancy that if he could secure the Recluse, he should achieve for hie, which he was far, at present, froe his commission in the most prudent manner
But Holden did not appear Was it possible he could have obtained infor hiher; his courage mounted rapidly, and the terrible pirate dwindled into a suban to be i, and demanded of the constable the reason of the delay
The latter, unwilling to confess the true cause, put hiested, until he had exhausted his stock, and was obliged to apply hie of his duty He, therefore, er, but not to o alone, and accordingly looked round for somebody to assist him in the perilous enterprise
Now, the veteran Primus, by virtue of his exploits in the Revolutionary War, and the loss of one of his legs on the field of battle, enjoyed a high reputation for bravery Backed by the old warrior, or rather led by him, for Basset ht he should stand a reater chance of success He determined, therefore, to apply to Primus, secure his services, and take counsel with him on the best mode to apprehend Holden With this view, he betook himself to the bachelor quarters of the black--a hovel on the outskirts of the village, where we find him at this present moment
”I hab some interjection, Missa Basset,” said Primus, evidently in reply to a proposition of the constable ”Suppose you come to ketch er of that, Prio with a warrant after; and if it was your case, I shouldon, than be plotting how to git hold on ye You don't know your friends, Prime”
”Dey say 'tis a wise child dat know his own fader,” answered Primus
”Now, if a child dat see his fader ebery day, and been brung up in de same house, not know him, how is it possible dat I know you, Missa Basset, who neber before do me de honor ob a visit?”
”Why,” said the constable, who hardly knehat reply to make, ”you never come to see me, Prime”
”Dat is de trute,” said Prireat friends, arter all But,” added he, observing the other's embarrassment, ”dat is needer here nor dere I always suspect you bery e you Tell us, now, 'xactly, what you wantwith me to be there when I take him, that's all The island's three or four miles off, and I shall want you to help row the boat”
”O, if dat is all, I is 'greeable,” exclai, Missa Basset?”
”I ain't justI want to talk about When will he be o in the , or wait till afternoon”
”Dat inquire some deflexum Let me see: I don't know about de day, at all If he see you co, he make off, probuht is de best tiuess, to ketch dis kind ob fish”
But this opinion did not suit the notions of the constable