It cost us some trouble and a great deal of money
to bring the sturdy Cornishman into this deceitful
part; and perhaps he never would have consented but
for his obligation to me, and the wrongs (as he said)
of his daughter. However, as he was the man for
the task, both from his coolness and courage, and
being known to have charge of the mine, I pressed
him, until he undertook to tell all the lies we required.
And right well he did it too, having once made up his
mind to it; and perceiving that his own interests
called for the total destruction of the robbers.
[Illustration: 664.jpg Tailpiece]
A LONG ACCOUNT SETTLED
[Illustration: 665.jpg Illustrated Capital]
Having resolved on a night-assault (as our undisciplined
men, three-fourths of whom had never been shot at,
could not fairly be expected to march up to visible
musket-mouths), we cared not much about drilling our
forces, only to teach them to hold a musket, so far
as we could supply that weapon to those with the cleverest
eyes; and to give them familiarity with the noise
it made in exploding. And we fixed upon Friday
night for our venture, because the moon would be at
the full; and our powder was coming from Dulverton
on the Friday afternoon.
Uncle Reuben did not mean to expose himself to shooting,
his time of life for risk of life being now well over
and the residue too valuable. But his counsels,
and his influence, and above all his warehousemen,
well practised in beating carpets, were of true service
to us. His miners also did great wonders, having
a grudge against the Doones; as indeed who had not
for thirty miles round their valley?
It was settled that the yeomen, having good horses
under them, should give account (with the miners’
help) of as many Doones as might be despatched to
plunder the pretended gold. And as soon as we
knew that this party of robbers, be it more or less,
was out of hearing from the valley, we were to fall
to, ostensibly at the Doone-gate (which was impregnable
now), but in reality upon their rear, by means of my
old water-slide. For I had chosen twenty young
fellows, partly miners, and partly warehousemen, and
sheep farmers, and some of other vocations, but all
to be relied upon for spirit and power of climbing.
And with proper tools to aid us, and myself to lead
the way, I felt no doubt whatever but that we could
all attain the crest where first I had met with Lorna.
Upon the whole, I rejoiced that Lorna was not present
now. It must have been irksome to her feelings
to have all her kindred and old associates (much as
she kept aloof from them) put to death without ceremony,
or else putting all of us to death. For all of
us were resolved this time to have no more shilly-shallying;
but to go through with a nasty business, in the style
of honest Englishmen, when the question comes to “Your
life or mine.”
