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Show 230 RICHARD HUHDIS. lains gathered together in that nocturnal interview: Hurd ish is soul divided between triumph and horror-eager to learn the particulars of the l1orrid crime wh ich his regent had horribly executed, yet dreading the very recital to wh ich lJC gan~ nil ears; Pickett - burdened with the consciousness of unprofitable guilt, and of its exposure to the dogging bloodhoun_d at his heels; and he, the emissary, like a keen hunter, hangwg llpon the flanks of both, pricking them forward when they faltered, and now by sa rcasm, and now by threats, qucllit1g their spirits and commanding all their secrets. Secure of l1is game, he smiled in his security at the feeble efforts wl1ich be beheld them make, and the futile hopes which he saw they entertained of being able to baffle his pursuit, and throw out his unerring nostril from the scent ·which l1e had so fortunately followed. 1'he struggle was, indeed, no less pitiful than painful, and well might the utter villain smile with contempt at the partial chnractcr which the two brought to bear upon their designs of evil. \Vithout virtue, and radically vicious, they were alike deficient in that bold a11d daring insolence which can defy the laws which it offends, and by a. comnge, of however doubtful merit, at least elevate its offences above the level of sneaking and insidious vice. His game was that of the cunning angler, who kno.ws that his hook is keenly fixed in the jaws of his prey, and who plays with his 'hopes only to make his fears more oppressive, and his compliance the more unreserved and unqualified. Hurdis was awaiting his companion in the place appointed. "What have we here 1-who is this 1" he exclaimed in surprise, as he beheld the stranger with Pickett. "It is a friend,'' replied the latter, with a subdued and dis-couraging voice. "A friend!" said Hurdis. u What friend 1-who 1-we want no friend; why have you brought him 1" 41 You mistake," said the stranger, boldly. "You do want a friend, though you may not tl1ink so; ancl I am the very mnn for you. But go aside with Pickett; he'11 tell you all about it." Having thus spoken, the emissary coolly seated himself upon a log, and John Hurdis, completely confounded by his impudence, turned, as he wns bidden, for explanation to his agent. DO~liNO! -THE GAME BLOCKED. 231 They went aside together, and in a confused and awkward manner, Pickett went through the bitter narration, which it almost paralyzed the other to hear. "Great God! Ben Pickett, what have you done 1 'Ve are ruined-lost for ever!" 'fhc cold sweat rolled from the forehead of Ilurdis, and his knees tremblecl beneath him. His companion tried to console him. "No; there's no sort of danger. Ilear his story of his business, and we know much more against him, than he knows against us." "And what is that to us 1 What is it to me that I can prove him a villain or a murderer, Ben Pickett 1 Will it help our defence to prove another as worthy of punishment, as ourselves 1 -~Nill it give us security 1" "'vVe must make the best of it now. It's too late to grieve about it," said the other. "Ay, we must make the best of it," said Hurdis, becoming suddenly bold, yet speaking in tones that were suppressed to a whisper-" and there is but one way. Hear me, Ben Pickett; docs this fellow come alone 1" "He docs." "lla! that is fortunate; then we have him. His companions are-where, did you say 1" "All about-on the high roads - everywhere-from Augusta to l\[ontgomery, to Mobile, to Tuscaloosa-from the Muscle Shoals to Jackson-from Tuscaloosa to Chochuma. Everywhere, according to his account of it." " "\Vhich is probably exaggerated. They may be everywhere, but they certainly arc not here - not in this neighborhood." "We don't know that, 'squire. God! there's no telling. To think that the fellow should track me so, makes me afraid of everything." "You were careless, Pickett-frightened, perhaps-" "No, I wasn't. I was just as cool us I wished to be, and I cleared every stell in the road afore I jumped it." "It needs not to talk of this. We must be more careful in future. We must match his cunning with greater cunning, or |
