“Surely, there are not a group of Highland warriors roaming through the forest poaching my deer. I think we would have heard of such a thing in the village before now were it so.” Frederick could not imagine such a thing so far south of the Scottish border.
“No, I do not believe that they are H96ighlanders, but perhaps they are veterans who have acquired the same skills through service abroad.”
“Out of all the possibilities, yours does seem the most probable,” Frederick agreed.
“It is the only explanation I have to offer.” Lt. Buckworth shrugged his shoulders apologetically.
“Have we heard back from Mr. Smythe?”
“Not as of yet, Your Lordship. Should we be concerned?”
“I am not certain. He will need some time to speak with the appropriate people. It is too early to say.”
“Yes, My Lord, patience is often the key to such things.”
“As is the case here, I fear.” Frederick frowned, studying the landscape. “This outcropping would provide a wonderful hiding place to set up a trap. If they travel the same general path each time, then perhaps they would pass by here again.”
“I will see to it, My Lord.” The lieutenant bowed and went to inspect the most strategic position from which to view the forest. He climbed atop the rock and crawled on his belly to the edge. He gazed down at Frederick and nodded. “This should do nicely, My Lord.”
“I will inform Mr. Hanson. Otherwise, let us keep this to ourselves. I cannot discount the possibility that there might be a traitor in our midst feeding the poachers information on our whereabouts. We will start tonight. I will ride out as if I am returning to Chescrown and circle back around to meet you here.”
“Yes, My Lord. I will be here.”
Frederick bid the lieutenant farewell and went back to the manor house to speak with Mr. Hanson. Come evening, the two of them put on a great show that Frederick was returning to Chescrown for his dear mother’s health and was leaving all matters concerning the poachers to Mr. Hanson’s care.
Frederick mounted his horse and took the road he would normally have taken home. He could almost feel the eyes watching him on the back of his neck. The sensation was intolerable and sent shivers down his spine. All it would take was one good shot, and he could be dead upon the road with no one to aid him. The only thing that brought him comfort throughout the entire ordeal was if the men had wanted him dead, they would have shot him in the forest.
In fact, it was quite evident they had gone out of their way to ensure that he would not be present at the time of their hunting excursions, even if that meant doing so more than one night in a row. When darkness fell, Frederick maneuvered his horse off the road and into the forest. He made his way by moonlight to the rock outcropping and hooted like an owl to let the lieutenant know it was he before climbing up to the top of the rock.
The two men nodded to one another, then lay there quietly waiting to see if their ploy had worked. They took turns keeping watch and sleeping. Frederick let the lieutenant rest first as he had been out in the forest longest. The sounds of the forest echoed through the night, casting a simultaneously intriguing yet eerie cast to the darkness. Animals skittered about below, including a lovely red fox.
Frederick had gone fox hunting with his father as a boy, but he had not cared for it. The ride was wonderful exercise, of course, and he had greatly enjoyed the horses, but there was something about frightening another creature for no reason other than one’s enjoyment that had turned him away from the sport. His father thought him soft to care about such a frivolous detail when the strictures of society found it to be a perfectly acceptable pastime, but Frederick had stood firm. No more fox hunts.
Time passed, and Frederick grew restless. He began to doubt that his plan would result in anything.Where are you?He whispered silently into the night.Show yourselves.
As if summoned by magic, Frederick had no sooner thought the words than he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head ever so slowly so as not to reveal his position. Lo and behold, there they were, riding through the darkness as smoothly as if it were day. Their faces were covered, and they rode in a single file line through the trees, each man looking from side to side to ensure they were not seen. Frederick pitied anyone that got in their way.
There were six of them altogether. Frederick had never seen their like before as they silently glided through the forest, leaving little to no trace that they had been there. Each was armed with a rifle, pistol, and hunting knife that he could see from where he lay. He silently nudged Lt. Buckworth awake and gestured for him to remain quiet. They both watched from above as the poachers passed below.
There are too many of them for us to take them on alone. If only I knew who the traitor was within my household, I could have brought more men with me.As it was, Frederick was not sure what to do.Perhaps we can follow them back when they return to their homes. That would give us the identities of the men without compromising our safety. Then we could report them to the magistrate and have them arrested individually.
They waited for the poachers to pass before they spoke. “I am certain of it now. There is a traitor at Pentford Manor,” Frederick whispered.
“I fear so, My Lord. Shall we follow them?”
“Let us wait here and see if they come back through, then we will follow them home and learn their identities,” Frederick instructed. The pair of them fell silent once more and waited for the gang of poachers to return. Not long after they passed, another lone rider came along. He did not carry himself the same as the others, nor did he wear a mask. When the rider passed through a patch of moonlight, Frederick saw that it was Mr. Smythe.
What is Mr. Smythe doing here? Has he betrayed me as well, or has he discovered the identity of the poachers and is following them just as we planned to do?
Lt. Buckworth held up his hand in a motion that stated he wished Frederick to wait where he was. The lieutenant silently descended the outcropping and came up beside Mr. Smythe before he had a chance to know what had happened. The lieutenant dragged the man off of his horse and silenced him by placing the barrel of his pistol to Mr. Smythe’s head. The soldier led Mr. Smythe and his horse out of sight and emerged with Mr. Smythe. Frederick turned and moved back away from the rock’s edge.
“What are you doing here?” Frederick demanded to know with a hiss.
“I am following the poachers you asked me about. What are you doing here? Your grandfather would never have approved of you risking yourself in such a fashion,” Mr. Smythe hissed back.
“You know who the men are?” Frederick asked, getting excited.
“Yes, now all we need do is catch them in the act. I have the magistrate and his men not far behind.”
