Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 143, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1911 — HAL O' THE HIGHWAY [ARTICLE]

HAL O' THE HIGHWAY

By George Bronson-Howard.

Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co. CHARTER V—Continued. "Perchance my clothes,” smiled Hal. The person came on, unconscious of the danger awaiting him. Presently a cloud of dust at the bend of the road showed in the half-light of t ,the late evening. Hal waited, still smiling. When the horseman had reached a place nearly opposite to where sat Hal Eager, that gentleman called out in deep tones, which were always assumed for the occasion. “Halt!” and he pointed the horsepistols. With astonishing alacrity the horse was pulled up, and the rider faced the masked man. “Who are you to say halt to me?” came in wrathful, choleric tones from the held-up one. “Know you that I have left my escort behind in order to make more speed to Annapolis? Know you who I am?” And the person glared at the highwayman. “I care very little as to your identity,” answered Hal pleasantly and still in assumed tones. “I want your clothes, my friend, your purse, your watch, and any other little valuables you may carry. Perchance you know who I am; may I present myself— Hal Eager at your service?” The other man exploded. “And I, sir, will have you hanged on the nearest gibbet if you dare molest me. lam Sir John Arundel, Lieu-tenant-Governor of Maryland by grace of His Majesty King George Second

“Ah, the fat German!” commented Hal. “Your servant, Sir John. But the clothes, your excellency, I must have. In exchange therefor you shall have mine. Quick now, get off with them of 'twill be the worse for you!” His tone had gotten quite brisk, and the cold muzzle of one of his pistols pressed near to Sir John’s temple. The highwayman’s hand rested on the reins of Sir John’s mount. But Sir John had been a fighter in his day, and was no mean antagonist. He flung himself upon Hal Eager, and the two rolled from their horses to the soft turf underneath. Sir John’s weight was in his favor, but was more than counterbalanced by the highwayman’s muscles. Hardly two minutes elapsed before Hal rolled him over on his back and sat upon his chest “A most honorable seat!” cried Hal, nearly choking with laughter. “Behold, I have sat me upon a governor—and a knight baronet. Odsflsh, this is a story to tell.” “Let me up!” came in strangled tones from the prostrate lieutenantgovernor. Hal grew serious. “On one condition, Sir John,” said he. “And that that you strip off your clothes and hand me them without more ado. Have I your knightly word?” Sir John Arundel swore large mouthfilling oaths. Hal gently pressed his gullet and checked the flow of profanity. There was a silence, which Sir John broke in a tone which was quiet —the quietness of a volcano before eruption. “I give you my word!” he said. Hal promptly got up, and Sir John Arundel also. Silently the lieutenantgovernor stripped off his raiment from lace-collar to riding boots, while Hal did likewise. Sir John tossed the heap of clothing at Hal’s feet; and Hal threw his to Sir John Arundel. Later there came sounds of tearing and creaking from Sir John, who was having some difficulty in getting into the highwayman’s attire, he being somewhat more corpulent than the lithe masker. As for Hal, Sir John’s clothes hung upon him in festoons. Neither spoke during the process, and it was only when Sir John handed his purse and watch-fob to Hal Eager that he vouchsafed more words: “rll have you hanged for this, my man,” said Sir John. “From now on, Maryland will be too hot to hold you, mark you that Once hands are laid on you, I’ll be your judge, and my sentence will take little time. You’ll be hanged to the nearest gibbet an hour after your capture.”

Hal bowed mockingly. “Such honor from Sir John does me honor!”—and he pocketed purse and watchfob, handing back the timepiece to the governor. "I bid you farewell, Sir John.” The lieutenant-governor led his horse forth on the road and delivered himself of more oaths. “You’ll be hanged before the month’s out, my popinjay!” he almost shouted and, straddling his horse, he dug spurs into its sides and disappeared down the road, a great patch of white underlinen showing where Hal's coat had split upon him. Leading his horse forth, Hal looked at himself in the half-light and laughed again. He cut somewhat of a sorry figure in Sir John’s vestments,

for they bung upon him baggily. The breeches seemed about to part company with him, and the coat slipped, while thd sleeves reached far beyond his hands. “ * “At any rate,” meditated Hal, tucking back the sleeves, “I have money to buy other clothes, and this attire will attract less attention.” He did not for an instant believe what Sir John Arundel had said as to his identity, for Hal was accustomed to having his victims lay claim to exalted rank and power with the faint hope of intimidating him. “And now for Annapolis!” said he. and urged his horse forward to a crossroad that he knew to be a short--cut to the provincial capital ten miles away.

Rut he did not know that he was yet to meet Mr. Pulvey Littleton, and thus be somewhat delayed. Nor did he know what far-reaching complications were to come out of the said meeting, else he would have allowed Mr. Littleton to go in peace. Pulvey ’Littleton himself had been on the road to Annapolis since the morning of that day, and had set forth with his ball-finery in a neat bag strapped to his saddle. His small-clothes were of a delicate gray, and his wig was powdered and curled with a fine taste. His coat was a marvel of fit and fashion. His pumps, his hat, his gloves, all were perfect from the haberdasher’s standpoint.

And thus Satan tempted Hal Eager, who was on his way with no thought of further alms by force of arms. Moreover, Pulvey was of Hal’s height, and though he lacked his muscular development, his clothes were, quite evidently, an excellent fit for the highwayman, who was beginning to feel the discomfort of Sir John’s ample attire, and to realize that he was cutting a sorry figure. For it was Hal who reined in and adjusted his mask the moment Satan tempted him with the glorious ball attire that Mr. Pulvey Littleton wore. Hal’s mouth watered. In such clothes he would be worthy to be near Mistress Anne. He could not hope to buy such clothes on short notice in Annapolis, nor so perfect a wig. Hal did not resist temptation. He pointed his pistol. '

“My friend,” he said to Pulvey Littleton, “you must yield me up those fine feathers you wear.” Pulvey, somewhat aghast; stared at the horse-pistol. “Eh?” he mumbled, then reached for his purse and tendered it. “Nay!” laughed Hal. “I want not your money. Rather I will myself pay money for your clothes. But your clothes I must have, fair sir.” As an afterthought he added: Folks know me hereabouts as Hurricane Hal!” Mr. Littleton, of Philadelphia, was not exactly a brave man, but the thought of being denuded of his finery and made to miss his engagement with Anne at the ball drove him desperately to resistance. “You jest!” he cried loudly. “And you jest poorly. My clothes? Nay, sir, you shall not have them. I journey to the ball and I have no others.” A pistol ball whistled very close to Mr. Littleton’s ear. So close indeed that there was a bit of a burn there which smarted and hurt. Mr. Littleton’s heart beat rapidly. He realized that, for the first time in his life, he had stood within an ace of being shot. It was not a pleasant sensation. Pulvey’s knees trembled He looked up and saw Hal calmly stick the used pistol in his belt and toy with the one still loaded.

“The next time,” said Hal, “I shall not miss. Do you prefer to yield me the clothes, or shall I strip them from your corpse?" He laughed. “I have little choice in the matter.” Now Hal lied, and he khew he lied Never in-all the course of his experiences as highwayman had he shot a man or injured him in any serious way. He would rather avoid the spoils than do so. But he saw the character of Mr. Littleton very plainly, and realized that intimidation was quite easily used in this case. “Come!" said Hal, in a peremptory tone. “Do you yield me the clothes?" Pulvey sought to moisten his parched tongue and to reply. But he seemed incapable of speaking. His eyes were glued on the pistol, and Mr. Pulvey Littleton was horribly afraid.

Hal deliberately aimed the pistol. Mr. Littleton’s hands clawed the.air wildly, and he seemed bursting with speeches and emotions. Finally one word was choked out “Yes, yes, yes!" he repeated frantic ally a number of times. And so, in the cold night-air, Hal changed his clothes again, Pulvej shivering in his under-linen, and wishing that he had not been born. He was not able to rid himself of the fear that the highwayman would kill him after he had gotten the clothes. For the while Pulvey forgot all about Anne and thought only of his own precious life, which might be of extremely short duration. With teeth chattering from cold and fear, he finally got into Sir John Arundel’s baggy breechdb, coat, and waistcoat Ha was a very ludicrous sight indeed.

As for Hal, he was quite a brave show, and he eyed himself witA considerable satisfaction. “I grieve,” he said, “that this was necessary. Here is your purse, man; I want it not. I will pay for your clothes if you will set a price upon them.” Pulvey shook his head miserably. “But as you are intending to go to the ball, I cannot take risks,, I shall take your horse along with me and tie him to a post about two miles from here You may follow on font and find him. Adieu, sir, and many thanks for the clothes!” Hal got astride his horse, took Littleton’s, by the bridle, and disappeared around a bend of the road in the direction of Annapolis. / » After awhile Pulvey remembered his engagement with Anne, and set himself warily forward to Walk into the capital. Sir John’s clothes sagged upon him and blew out lik< many balloons. But Pulvey knew he must go to the ball or lose Anne forever. On the whole, one whs inclined to feel very sorry for Pullfey, for he was a nice enough youtm | and clothes played a very important part in his make-up. He was especially femd of that very finery in which Hal hod arrayed himself, and had calculated on cutting somewhat x of a dash at the ball, to the discomfiture of the more provincially attired Marylanders. Also Le had imagined it might impress Anne in his favor, for the clothes set off to the utmost every cupvie in his form. Now he should vaty likely have to go in snuff-color, and also he would be late for the He should cut no dash at all, for such clothes as he might procure on short notice would hardly be the sort he fancied. looked down at thie sagging clothe.' he wore, and his gentle nature was aroused. He cursed the clothes loudHad he known how much travail those same clothes were to bring him, his curses would have been twice a - ? many, and of mote volume and impressiveness. For they were Blr John Arundel's clothes, you know. (To be continued.)