“Mr. Redgrave, I see there’s no time to lose. You shall have old Scamper, he’s the best horse we’ve got, and never mind about the sheep; a fellow applied this morning, and he’s still at the huts. I shall be at my place in an hour, or less; you come up, and you shall have the horse and your wages, John Smith,” he added with a laugh.
Jack laughed too, and started off as fast as he could go to find the old shepherd.
On his way his thoughts went back to Forestall whom he had never forgiven for his treachery; but death does away with offences, and he only felt pity towards the man who had supplanted him, and who had not even entered into possession of his ill-gotten lands.
“Puir fellow,” said old Jock, when he heard the story, “I expect it was the same black varmints that gave Meester Waldron his death. There’s naething in the way of fichting so deevilish as thae wee pisoned arrows, but I wadna hae ye too much set up. The land may be sold, ye ken.”
“True, but there is a chance, and luck may be in my favour this time.”
“Dinna talk o’ luck, laddie; the Lord has seen fit to chastise your pride, for weel ye wot ye were high-minded ance, and sin’ ye’ve taken your punishment doucely I’m fain to believe that He may see fit to reward you; and,” continued the old man, solemnly lifting his hands, “wherever ye gang, and whatever happens, may the Lord bless ye, and hae ye in His holy keepin’.”
“Good-bye, old fellow,” said Jack, wringing his hand, while his eyes glistened with unwonted dew. “If I succeed you shall hear of me, and you must come to me, and bring the dogs with you.”
Mounted on Scamper, which Jack had bought of Mr. Hazeham, he made the best of his way to the town. His first proceeding was to call at the office of the Minister for Lands: it was possible they might be able to direct him to the agents of Mr. Forestall. Jack was fortunate enough to see the minister himself, who remembered him directly, for he had felt much sympathy with Jack, and had been indignant at the way he had been treated.
“I suppose you are come about that land, Mr. Redgrave?”
“Yes, I am,” said Jack, with a beating heart, and a desperate attempt to speak calmly. “I hope I am not too late. Will you tell me, sir, whether the transfer was quite completed?”