When the Century Was New; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897. Excerpt: ... Chapter IX The Mystery of Mark Watson "Murder will out: " 'tis but an idle tale; Unheard the victim's groan; unseen the blow, Though the wild shriek was borne upon the gale, And blood doth stain where lies the victim low. Though many pass the spot and come and go, Filled with a fevered wish to trace the deed To its foul source, yet he may overthrow Their cunning to the last, and check with speed The hound upon his path: no succor ask nor need. By common consent it was made a holiday, and everybody who was so disposed could join in the search for Mark Watson. Perhaps he had run away. Philip Flint insisted strongly upon it, and was conspicuously vehement in his assertions to that effect and disposed to be abusive of those who differed from him. The crowd looked upon his loquacity as the effect of rum, except Caesar Chesley, who eyed him closely and determined keeping him in view. There was no reason for Flint being so positive or interested particularly so far as any one knew, and Caesar became suspicious when he found that the man was perfectly sober, but unduly excited. Samuel Leake, the pompous lawyer from Trenton, had been at the Horse-Head and publicly announced that he was prepared--by whom authorized he did not say--to offer a reward of two hundred shillings for Mark Watson, dead or alive. How he rolled out the "two hundred" and mouthed the " shillings," making the reward seem as stupendous as it was ridiculous At all events, his announcement had its effect, and a curious crowd started leaderless, first to Mark's cabin and then to search through the intricacies of Bear Swamp. There were dogs, too, in abundance, and, although early in September, scarcely a man among them but was ready to forget the proper object of their search to shoot any rabbit or ...