Lorna Doone: Beginner Level Extended Reads

R.D. BLACKMORE

Lorna Doone Retold by John Escott

B E G I N N E R LEVEL

Series Editor: J o h n M i l n e

The Heinemann ELT Guided Readers provide a choice of enjoyable reading material for learners of English. The series is published at five levels - Starter, Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate and Upper. At Beginner Level, the control of content and language has the following main features: Information Control The stories are written in a fluent and pleasing style with straightforward plots and a restricted number of main characters. The cultural background is made explicit through both words and illustrations. Information which is vital to the story is clearly presented and repeated where necessary. Structure Control Special care is taken with sentence length. Most sentences contain only one clause, though compound sentences are used occasionally with the clauses joined by the conjunctions 'and', 'but', and 'or'. The use of these compound sentences gives the text balance and rhythm. The use of Past Simple and Past Continuous Tenses is permitted since these are the basic tenses used in narration and students must become familiar with these as they continue to extend and develop their reading ability. Vocabulary Control At Beginner Level there is a controlled vocabulary of approximately 600 basic words, so that students with a basic knowledge of English will be able to read with understanding and enjoyment. Help is also given in the form of vivid illustrations which are closely related to the text. For further information on the full selection of Readers at all five levels in the series, please refer to the Readers catalogue.

A Note About

the Author

A Note About This

1

Story

4 5

The People in This Story

6

My S t o r y B e g i n s

7

2 T h e Doones

11

3

Lorna

14

4

T h e Sign

20

5

T h e Message

26

6

Snow on the Moor

30

7 T h e Fight at the Farm

34

8

T h e Truth About Lorna

39

9

T o r n a H a s Forgotten Me !'

42

10 After t h e Battle

46

11 At Lord Brandir's H o u s e

50

12 We Attack the Doones

57

13 Lorna Comes H o m e

60

R.D.

(Richard Dodderidge)

Blackmore

was

born

in

Berkshire, England, on 7th June, 1825. His m o t h e r died a few m o n t h s l a t e r . In 1832, his father took Richard

to

the

county

of

Devon, in the south-west of England. He lived there until 1843. He studied at a school in Tiverton. After that, he studied at Oxford University. In 1852, Blackmore b e c a m e a lawyer in L o n d o n , a n d t h e n e x t year he married Lucy Macguire. Blackmore was n o t strong a n d he did n o t work as a l a w y e r for v e r y l o n g . H e b e c a m e a t e a c h e r . I n 1 8 5 7 , Blackmore's

uncle

died

and his

money

came

to

Richard. After that, Richard did n o t teach any more. H e l i v e d w i t h h i s wife i n a l a r g e h o u s e n e a r L o n d o n , and he wrote poems and novels. Lucy Blackmore died in 1888, a n d R i c h a r d died on 2 0 t h January, 1900. T h e Blackmores had no children. R . D . B l a c k m o r e w r o t e fifteen n o v e l s . S o m e o f t h e s e stories (1866),

are: The

Clara Maid

Vaughan

(1864),

Craddock

of

(1872)

and

Sker

Newell

Christowell

( 1 8 8 2 ) . H i s m o s t f a m o u s s t o r y w a s Lorna Doone ( 1 8 6 9 ) . It has b e c o m e one of the most popular stories in E n g l i s h . T h e r e a r e m a n y films o f t h i s story. 4

Time: 1673 to 1686. Place: Exmoor, in t h e south-west of E n g l a n d . In the seventeenth century, most people in Britain lived in small villages. T o w n s a n d cities w e r e small. T h e roads b e t w e e n t h e m were bad. Journeys from t h e south-west of England to London were long and difficult. T r a v e l l e r s h a d t o r i d e i n c o a c h e s , o r r i d e o n h o r s e s , for s e v e r a l d a y s . T h e r e was a lot of trouble in Britain in t h e 1680s. Most p e o p l e i n t h e c o u n t r y liked K i n g C h a r l e s II. B u t he died in 1685 a n d his brother, James, b e c a m e t h e new king. King James II was n o t popular. M a n y powerful people in Britain w a n t e d a different king. James Scott, Duke of M o n m o u t h , tried to b e c o m e king. His friends fought several b a t t l e s w i t h t h e soldiers of K i n g J a m e s . These

battles

are

now

called

the

Monmouth

Rebellion. T h e King's soldiers b e a t M o n m o u t h ' s m e n . They caught t h e D u k e of M o n m o u t h a n d they killed h i m . T h e k i n g s e n t a j u d g e - G e o r g e Jeffreys - t o t h e s o u t h - w e s t o f E n g l a n d . J u d g e Jeffreys w a s a c l e v e r a n d powerful m a n . H e k i l l e d a l l o f M o n m o u t h ' s f r i e n d s . Some of this story happens at the time of the M o n m o u t h R e b e l l i o n . I n t h e story, J o h n R i d d i s for K i n g James, b u t J o h n ' s c o u s i n , T o m Faggus, i s a g a i n s t t h e K i n g .

5

My n a m e is J o h n R i d d a n d I am a farmer. I live in t h e village of O a r e , in t h e c o u n t y of S o m e r s e t . O a r e is on Exmoor - a wild part of Somerset. T h e Ridds h a v e b e e n f a r m e r s h e r e for h u n d r e d s o f y e a r s . My story begins

in the

town of Tiverton,

in

November, 1673. I was twelve years old t h e n , a n d I was l i v i n g a t m y s c h o o l . I l i v e d a t t h e s c h o o l for m o s t o f t h e year, b u t I w e n t h o m e for t h e h o l i d a y s . I t was five o ' c l o c k o n t h e a f t e r n o o n o f t h e 2 9 t h N o v e m b e r . T h e r e w e r e n o m o r e lessons t h a t day. I was s t a n d i n g b y t h e s c h o o l d o o r . S u d d e n l y , I s a w J a n Fry. Jan worked on our farm at O a r e . But t h a t afternoon, he was w a i t i n g o u t s i d e t h e s c h o o l g a t e s . H e w a s s i t t i n g o n his h o r s e . A n d m y h o r s e w a s s t a n d i n g b e s i d e h i s h o r s e .

7

' W h y are you h e r e today, Jan?' I asked h i m . T h e s c h o o l h o l i d a y will b e g i n in t w o weeks' t i m e . ' T e s , I k n o w t h a t , M a s t e r J o h n , ' he said quietly. 'But you m u s t c o m e h o m e t o m o r r o w . I will stay here t o n i g h t . W e will start our j o u r n e y i n t h e m o r n i n g . ' ' B u t w h y h a v e y o u c o m e for m e , J a n ? ' I a s k e d h i m . 'My father always takes me h o m e from school at the b e g i n n i n g of t h e holiday. W h y isn't father here?' Jan did n o t look at me. 'He's - He's very busy today,' he replied. But I did n o t believe h i m .

T h e j o u r n e y from T i v e r t o n t o O a r e was difficult a n d long. At noon, we stopped at the town of Dulverton. W e h a d a m e a l t h e r e a n d o u r h o r s e s r e s t e d for a n h o u r . T h e n we c o n t i n u e d our journey. O u t s i d e D u l v e r t o n , we saw a fine c o a c h . Four horses w e r e p u l l i n g i t a n d t h r e e p e o p l e w e r e s i t t i n g i n s i d e it. O n e of these people was a w o m a n w i t h black hair and d a r k e y e s . N e x t t o h e r s a t a p r e t t y l i t t l e girl w i t h l o n g dark hair. T h e t h i r d p e r s o n in t h e c o a c h was a lady - a v e r y b e a u t i f u l lady. S h e w a s w e a r i n g f i n e c l o t h e s . ' W h o a r e t h o s e p e o p l e ? ' I a s k e d myself. 'Is t h e black-haired w o m a n a servant? A n d is t h e pretty little girl t h e beautiful lady's d a u g h t e r ? ' I n t h e a f t e r n o o n , t h i c k fog c a m e d o w n . W e c o u l d n o t see t h e r o a d clearly. E v e r y t h i n g was silent. But J a n a n d I rode on across t h e moor. After some time, Jan spoke. 8

' W e m u s t b e v e r y q u i e t n o w , M a s t e r J o h n , ' h e said. A n d I k n e w t h e r e a s o n for t h i s . W e w e r e n e a r o u r h o m e . But w e w e r e also n e a r D o o n e Valley. T h e D o o n e s w e r e t e r r i b l e p e o p l e ! T h e y w e r e a family of robbers a n d murderers. T h e y lived in a lonely valley on Exmoor. A n d their valley was a dangerous place! A f t e r a few m i n u t e s , J a n s p o k e a g a i n .

S u d d e n l y , t h e fog w e n t a w a y .

9

O n e r i d e r w a s h o l d i n g a c h i l d - a l i t t l e girl. S h e was w e a r i n g a fine dress. I c o u l d n o t see h e r face. But she was u n h a p p y . S h e was crying. S u d d e n l y , I w a s a n g r y . I s t o o d up a n d I s h o u t e d a t t h e riders. Two of t h e m e n t u r n e d a n d looked at me. O n e of t h e m pointed his gun at me. But the other m a n p u t h i s h a n d o n h i s f r i e n d ' s a r m . A n d after a m o m e n t , the m e n rode on. 'You w e r e very foolish, M a s t e r J o h n , ' J a n said. ' T h e D o o n e s are dangerous m e n ! '

W e r o d e o n t o o u r f a r m . W e g o t off o u r h o r s e s . B u t m y father did n o t c o m e out of the house. T h e n I heard my m o t h e r crying. A n d t h e n I k n e w everything. My father was dead!

10

T h e D o o n e s h a d m u r d e r e d m y father. T h a t evening, J a n Fry t o l d m e a b o u t it. Father h a d b e e n returning to O a r e from Porlock, w i t h six o t h e r f a r m e r s . E a r l y i n t h e m o r n i n g , t h e y w e r e riding t h r o u g h a forest. S u d d e n l y , a m a n r o d e o u t of the trees. He was o n e of t h e D o o n e s . ' G i v e m e all y o u r m o n e y ! ' t h e m a n s a i d t o t h e f a r m ers. T h e o t h e r farmers w e r e afraid o f t h e D o o n e s . T h e y quickly gave t h e m a n their money. But F a t h e r was n o t afraid. H e r o d e h i s h o r s e t o w a r d s t h e m a n a n d h e l i f t e d his stick. A t t h a t m o m e n t , t h e r e was a s h o u t , a n d twelve m o r e D o o n e s rode out of t h e trees. My father was a brave m a n a n d he tried to fight t h e Doones. But o n e of t h e m - C a r v e r D o o n e - h a d a gun. He shot my father and killed h i m .

After m y father's funeral, m y m o t h e r w e n t t o D o o n e Valley. T h e r e w a s a h i g h w a l l a t t h e e n d o f t h e v a l l e y . A n d there was a gate in t h e wall - t h e D o o n e G a t e . Two m e n always g u a r d e d t h e g a t e . M y m o t h e r s p o k e t o the guards. T a k e m e t o Sir E n s o r D o o n e , ' s h e said. O n e of t h e guards took my m o t h e r to Sir Ensor's house in t h e valley.

11

S i r E n s o r D o o n e w a s t h e h e a d o f t h e D o o n e family. He was a very old m a n . ' W h y h a v e you c o m e h e r e , Mrs Ridd?' Sir Ensor asked my mother. ' O n e of your m e n killed my h u s b a n d , ' my m o t h e r replied. ' D o you k n o w a b o u t this?' ' M y m e n are s o m e t i m e s wild,' Sir E n s o r said. 'But t h e y d o n ' t kill p e o p l e . I d o n ' t b e l i e v e y o u r story.'

T h e old m a n w e n t to the door of the house, and he shouted to someone. After a minute, another person c a m e in. He was a grey-haired m a n w i t h a long beard. ' L i s t e n to t h i s w o m a n ' s story,' Sir E n s o r said. M o t h e r told t h e story again. ' T h a t story is n o t true,' said t h e grey-haired m a n . 'Four of our young m e n w e n t to Porlock t h a t day o n l y four! S o m e farmers a t t a c k e d t h e m i n t h e forest. O n e of t h e farmers - a big, strong m a n - k n o c k e d t h r e e o f our m e n t o t h e g r o u n d . H e was going t o kill t h e m ! T h e n C a r v e r used his gun. H e h a d t o kill t h e farmer.' 12

Sir E n s o r D o o n e b e l i e v e d t h e m a n ' s story. M y m o t h e r r e t u r n e d h o m e sadly. After my father's d e a t h , I did n o t go b a c k to school. I lived on t h e farm w i t h my m o t h e r a n d my sister, A n n i e . But I t o o k my father's g u n a n d I used it every day. A f t e r a few w e e k s , I c o u l d s h o o t w e l l . Everybody was frightened of t h e D o o n e s . C a r v e r D o o n e h a d killed m y father, b u t n o b o d y h a d p u n i s h e d him. ' O n e day, I w i l l k i l l h i m , ' I s a i d t o myself.

M a n y years later, I h e a r d m o r e a b o u t t h e D o o n e s . Sir E n s o r D o o n e h a d c o m e t o E x m o o r from S c o t l a n d in 1640. Before t h a t , Sir Ensor a n d his cousin, Lord Dugal, h a d o w n e d a lot of l a n d in S c o t l a n d . But t h e two m e n were n o t friends. T h e y argued a b o u t t h e land. They w e n t to t h e law courts in L o n d o n . T h e r e was a trial, a n d S i r E n s o r l o s t all h i s l a n d . After t h e trial, Sir Ensor a n d his family c a m e to Exmoor. T h e y built t h e i r h o u s e s in a lonely valley. A t first, t h e r e w e r e o n l y t w e l v e D o o n e s . A n d a t first, the farmers of E x m o o r were t h e i r friends. T h e farmers t o o k t h e m f o o d . T h e y t r i e d t o h e l p t h e family. B u t s o o n , Sir Ensor's s o n s g r e w b i g a n d s t r o n g . T h e n t h e y b e g a n t o steal f r o m t h e f a r m e r s . T h e y s t o l e t h e i r a n i m a l s . A n d sometimes they stole t h e farmers' daughters too. T h e y t o o k t h e girls a n d m a r r i e d t h e m . Soon, everybody on Exmoor hated the Doones!

13

In February 1676, I was fourteen years old. A n d o n e s u n n y February afternoon, I w e n t fishing. T h e L y n n River passed n e a r our farm. A n d t w o miles from t h e farm, Bagworthy W a t e r a n d t h e Lynn River j o i n e d t o g e t h e r . T h a t w a s a g o o d p l a c e for f i s h i n g . I often c a u g h t l o a c h t h e r e . L o a c h are small, delicious fish. W e all l i k e d t o e a t t h e m . T h a t February afternoon, I w e n t to my fishing-place a n d I sat on t h e river b a n k . B u t I was n o t lucky. After t w o h o u r s , I h a d n o t c a u g h t a n y fish. I got up, a n d I b e g a n to walk along t h e b a n k of t h e L y n n River. I was w a l k i n g t o w a r d s D o o n e Valley. After a mile, t h e banks of t h e river were very steep. T h e n I h a d to walk in t h e water. T h e water was very cold u n d e r t h e d a r k t r e e s . B u t s o o n , I c a u g h t a few l o a c h . A f t e r t h a t , I w a l k e d on again, a l o n g t h e river. After a n o t h e r mile, I c a m e to a large p o o l in t h e river. On o n e side of t h e p o o l t h e r e was a h i g h rock. A s t r e a m o f c l e a r w a t e r fell f r o m t h e t o p o f t h e r o c k d o w n into t h e pool. A n d suddenly, I w a n t e d to climb to the top of that rock! I started climbing. T h e rock was steep a n d wet. O n c e , I fell b a c k i n t o t h e d e e p p o o l . I h a d t o s t a r t c l i m b i n g a g a i n . A t last, I got to t h e t o p of t h e rock, a n d I was in a beautiful g r e e n valley. B u t I h a d injured

14

m y f o o t a n d I w a s v e r y t i r e d . I l a y o n t h e grass a n d I shut my eyes. W h e n I o p e n e d my eyes a g a i n , I saw a y o u n g girl beside m e . S h e was a b o u t e i g h t years old. 'What's your n a m e ? ' she asked. ' H o w did you get into t h e valley?' S h e h a d a sweet voice, a n d beautiful dark eyes a n d d a r k hair.

'My n a m e is J o h n Ridd,' I replied. 'I've b e e n fishing in the river.' ' O h , y o u ' v e injured your foot!' t h e girl said. 'It's b l e e d i n g . I'll t i e s o m e c l o t h r o u n d i t . ' 'It's all r i g h t , ' I s a i d . ' P l e a s e d o n ' t w o r r y a b o u t m y foot. B u t p l e a s e t e l l m e y o u r n a m e . ' 'My n a m e is L o r n a - L o r n a D o o n e , ' she replied. ' D i d n ' t y o u k n o w t h a t ? ' S u d d e n l y , t h e girl's v o i c e w a s u n h a p p y . T h e n s h e b e g a n t o cry. 15

I w a n t e d t o kiss h e r . A f t e r a m o m e n t , I d i d kiss h e r . T h e b e a u t i f u l l i t t l e girl s t o p p e d c r y i n g . T h e D o o n e s m u s t n o t find you h e r e , ' she said. Y o u m u s t go. O n e o f t h e m e n will see you. T h e n they'll kill b o t h of us!' T h e y ' l l k i l l us? W h y , L o r n a ? ' I a s k e d . T h i s i s t h e D o o n e s ' valley,' she said. ' A n d n o w you've found o n e of t h e secret entrances.' T h e n she smiled. 'I like you, J o h n R i d d , ' she said. ' G o now. C o m e h e r e a g a i n o n e day. B u t p l e a s e , b e c a r e f u l ! ' 'I l i k e you, L o r n a , ' I s a i d . 'I l i k e y o u as m u c h as my sister, A n n i e . ' S u d d e n l y , w e h e a r d s o m e b o d y s h o u t i n g . Lorna's face became pale. ' T h e m e n a r e l o o k i n g for m e , J o h n ! ' s h e s a i d . 'You must go. But you can't climb back d o w n t h e rock.' T h e n s h e p o i n t e d t o a p l a c e o n t h e side o f t h e valley. ' D o you see t h a t h o l e in t h e rocks, over there?' she s a i d . 'You c a n g e t o u t o f t h e v a l l e y t h r o u g h t h a t h o l e . Goodbye, John!' I h i d b e h i n d s o m e t r e e s . L o r n a lay d o w n o n t h e grass, a n d s h e closed h e r eyes. S o o n , t w e l v e m e n c a m e d o w n t h e valley towards her. 'Carver!

Here's our little girl!' o n e of the m e n

s h o u t e d . 'She's asleep o n t h e grass!' C a r v e r D o o n e w a l k e d up to L o r n a . He was a big m a n . H e l i f t e d t h e b e a u t i f u l l i t t l e girl i n h i s a r m s , a n d h e carried h e r away. 16

A f t e r a few m i n u t e s , I r a n t o t h e h o l e i n t h e r o c k s . I c l i m b e d t h r o u g h it. T h e n I r a n all t h e w a y t o m y h o m e .

Seven years passed. I grew bigger a n d stronger t h a n a n y man on Exmoor. I often t h o u g h t about Lorna, but I did not go to D o o n e Valley. I w o r k e d h a r d every day. I did n o t leave t h e farm very o f t e n . B u t w e o f t e n h a d v i s i t o r s a t o u r h o u s e . S o m e t i m e s , T o m Faggus visited us. T o m was my mother's cousin. I liked h i m very m u c h . Tom was a good m a n . He h a d b e e n a farmer o n c e , but some rich m e n h a d t a k e n his farm from h i m . After that, he b e c a m e a robber. He b e c a m e a h i g h w a y m a n . He stopped people on the roads and he took their money. H e t o o k t h e i r m o n e y , b u t h e n e v e r h u r t t h e m . A n d he gave most of t h e m o n e y to poor people.

17

T o m visited u s every m o n t h . M y sister, A n n i e , w a t c h e d h i m carefully, a n d s h e l i s t e n e d t o all o f his s t o r i e s . T o m fell i n l o v e w i t h h e r , a n d s h e fell i n l o v e with him.

O n e d a y - i t w a s N e w Year's D a y , 1 6 8 3 - T o m a n d I were riding on the hills together. Suddenly, Tom stopped his horse. ' L o o k d o w n t h e r e , J o h n ! ' h e said. In a m o m e n t , we were b o t h looking through a hole i n t h e rocks. W e were looking d o w n i n t o D o o n e Valley!

I s t a r t e d t o t h i n k a b o u t L o r n a . I r e m e m b e r e d h e r soft voice a n d h e r sweet smile. I r e m e m b e r e d h e r beautiful d a r k eyes. A n d I r e m e m b e r e d h e r sadness. T h e n T o m was speaking to me, but I wasn't listening. I h a d s e e n s o m e t h i n g in t h e valley. S o m e t h i n g w h i t e w a s m o v i n g q u i c k l y a l o n g t h e valley. I t w a s L o r n a !

18

T h a t s p r i n g , I d r e a m t a b o u t L o r n a o f t e n . A n d o n e day, I walked along t h e river to t h e h i g h rock by t h e pool. I was a t a l l , s t r o n g y o u n g m a n . T h i s t i m e , I c l i m b e d t o t h e t o p o f t h e r o c k easily. I n t h e g r e e n valley, birds were s i n g i n g . I lay d o w n a n d I c l o s e d my eyes. T h e grass w a s soft u n d e r m y h e a d . I h e a r d L o r n a ' s s w e e t v o i c e a few m i n u t e s l a t e r . S h e was c o m i n g t o w a r d s m e a n d s h e was s i n g i n g . S h e stopped n e a r m e , a n d I o p e n e d my eyes. T h e r e were flowers in Lorna's hair. S h e was very beautiful! 'Lorna D o o n e ! ' I said. She r e m e m b e r e d me - I k n e w that. But she smiled and she asked me a strange question. 'How do you k n o w my name?' she asked. 'I'm J o h n Ridd,' I replied. ' W e m e t h e r e s e v e n years ago. You w e r e v e r y k i n d t o m e . D o n ' t y o u r e m e m b e r ? ' 'Yes!

I

remember,'

L o r n a said.

'But don't

you

remember s o m e t h i n g , J o h n Ridd? T h i s is a dangerous place for y o u . ' L o r n a was afraid. I l o o k e d at h e r big, d a r k eyes. A n d s u d d e n l y , I l o v e d h e r . I l o v e d h e r v e r y m u c h ! A t last I spoke. 'Yes, it's a d a n g e r o u s p l a c e for m e , ' I s a i d . ' A n d y o u are afraid. P l e a s e , d o n ' t b e a f r a i d , L o r n a . I'll g o n o w . But I will c o m e b a c k a n o t h e r d a y . ' Lorna smiled and I touched her white h a n d . T h e n we said g o o d b y e .

19

Two weeks later, I saw L o r n a again. I w e n t i n t o t h e valley, a n d she t o o k me to a secret cave n e a r t h e pool. S h e t o l d m e m o r e a b o u t herself. ' O n l y t w o p e o p l e t a l k to me,' she said. ' O n e is my grandfather, Sir Ensor D o o n e . T h e o t h e r is my servant, G w e n n y . My father was Sir Ensor's eldest son. But I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r my m o t h e r or my father.' ' I ' m n o t h a p p y h e r e , J o h n , ' said L o r n a . ' T h e valley i s b e a u t i f u l . A n d S i r E n s o r o f t e n says, " O n e day, t h i s valley will b e l o n g to you." But I d o n ' t w a n t to live w i t h t h e D o o n e s . A l l a r o u n d me are robbers a n d murderers. I often c o m e to this cave. I c a n be alone here.' ' C a r v e r w a n t s t o m a r r y m e , J o h n , ' L o r n a said. 'He's strong a n d brave. But he's a cruel m a n ! ' S h e b e g a n t o cry. 'You m u s t g o n o w , J o h n , ' s h e s a i d . ' B u t I w a n t t o s e e you again soon. Please m a k e me a promise. C o m e to t h e v a l l e y o f t e n . T r y t o c o m e e v e r y day. S o m e t i m e s , I'll put a black coat over the white stone outside the cave. You'll see t h e c o a t from t h e hill a b o v e t h e valley. T h e n y o u m u s t c o m e t o t h e c a v e . I'll b e w a i t i n g for y o u . T h e c o a t will be our secret sign.' I was very busy during t h e n e x t two weeks. I worked v e r y h a r d o n t h e f a r m . E a c h day, I w e n t t o t h e h i l l a b o v e D o o n e Valley. A n d e a c h day, I l o o k e d for L o r n a ' s s i g n .

20

But I d i d n o t see it. After t w o weeks, I h a d a visitor. O n e a f t e r n o o n , a m a n r o d e u p t o t h e f a r m . H e g o t off h i s h o r s e . I'm

l o o k i n g for J o h n R i d d , ' h e s a i d t o m e .

'You've found h i m , ' I replied. 'I'm J o h n Ridd.' 'My n a m e i s J e r e m y Stickles,' t h e m a n said. ' I ' m o n e of t h e King's messengers. You m u s t c o m e w i t h me to London, Mr Ridd.'

21

T h e m e s s e n g e r gave me a letter. I o p e n e d it a n d I read it quickly. T h e letter was an order from o n e of t h e King's judges. I h a d to go to L o n d o n . I h a d to tell t h e King's judge a b o u t t h e D o o n e s . I was n o t happy about this. I did n o t w a n t to leave my m o t h e r a n d sister at t h e farm. But I h a d to go. I a s k e d J a n Fry t o t a k e c a r e o f t h e f a r m . It was a long and dangerous journey to L o n d o n . J e r e m y S t i c k l e s a n d I t r a v e l l e d for m a n y d a y s . B u t Jeremy told me m a n y stories. Soon, we were good friends. A t last, w e arrived i n L o n d o n . I w a s g o i n g t o t a l k t o J u d g e Jeffreys. B u t t h e j u d g e w a s a v e r y b u s y m a n . I h a d t o w a i t i n L o n d o n for t w o m o n t h s . A n d I d i d n o t l i k e t h e city. A t l a s t , t h e j u d g e s e n t for m e . I w e n t t o h i s h o u s e . ' W h o a r e y o u ? ' J u d g e Jeffreys a s k e d m e . I'm

J o h n R i d d , sir,' I r e p l i e d . ' I c a m e f r o m E x m o o r

two m o n t h s ago. I came with Jeremy Stickles, the King's messenger.'

22

' Y o u ' v e c o m e f r o m E x m o o r . Y e s ! ' s a i d J u d g e Jeffreys. 'Your n e i g h b o u r s a r e a f a m i l y o f r o b b e r s . A m I r i g h t ? ' 'Yes, sir,' I s a i d . ' M y n e i g h b o u r s a r e t h e D o o n e s . T h e y are r o b b e r s a n d m u r d e r e r s ! T h e r e are a b o u t forty of t h e m . ' 'Forty! W h y a r e n ' t t h e s e D o o n e s i n prison?' asked Judge Jeffreys. 'Is t h e j u d g e i n T i v e r t o n a l s o a D o o n e ? ' I was surprised by t h i s q u e s t i o n a n d I d i d n o t reply. ' N o , ' s a i d J u d g e Jeffreys. ' T h e j u d g e i n T i v e r t o n i s not a D o o n e . I c a n see t h e a n s w e r in y o u r face. N o w , John Ridd, tell me a n o t h e r thing. Do you k n o w any highwaymen? D o you k n o w T o m Faggus?' 'Yes, sir,' I r e p l i e d . ' T o m is my c o u s i n . ' T h e judge smiled. 'Faggus i s a g o o d m a n , ' h e s a i d . ' H e h a s m a d e m i s takes, b u t h e l o v e s K i n g C h a r l e s . J o h n R i d d , d o y o u and your friends love t h e King?' ' W e d o n ' t k n o w m u c h a b o u t h i m , sir,' I s a i d . ' B u t w e w a n t h i m t o b e a good k i n g . ' 'Have you heard about any enemies of t h e King in S o m e r s e t , J o h n ? ' a s k e d J u d g e Jeffreys. ' N o , sir,' I r e p l i e d . A g a i n I w a s s u r p r i s e d . ' I like y o u , J o h n R i d d , ' s a i d t h e j u d g e . ' Y o u a r e a n honest m a n . Stay away from t h e King's e n e m i e s . A n d st a y a w a y f r o m t h e D o o n e s . I ' l l s e n d s o m e o n e t o Exmoor soon. H e will tell m e a b o u t t h e King's e n e m i e s there. A n d h e will find o u t m o r e a b o u t t h e D o o n e s . T h e n w e will p u t t h e m i n p r i s o n . N o w g o h o m e , J o h n . '

23

A w e e k later, I was at h o m e again. My m o t h e r a n d my sister w e r e happy. I was h a p p y t o o . B u t soon, I w a n t e d to see L o r n a . I w e n t to t h e hill a b o v e D o o n e Valley. I looked at t h e w h i t e rock. A n d there was Lorna's black c o a t ! S h e h a d left m e a s i g n . B u t w h e n h a d s h e left i t there? I went to the cave. Lorna heard me coming. She was waiting by t h e e n t r a n c e . 'I saw y o u r sign,' I said. ' A r e you in danger?' 'Yes!' s h e s a i d . ' I h a v e p u t t h e c o a t t h e r e e v e r y d a y for t w o m o n t h s . Y o u d i d n o t c o m e , J o h n . ' ' I ' m sorry, L o r n a , ' I s a i d . ' I ' v e b e e n i n L o n d o n . ' ' C o m e i n t o t h e c a v e , J o h n , ' L o r n a s a i d . ' P e o p l e are watching me every day now. We must n o t stand here.' W e w e n t i n t o t h e c a v e . I h a d t o ask L o r n a a q u e s t i o n . ' D o you love m e , Lorna?' I asked her. 'I like you very m u c h , J o h n , ' she replied. 'But t h e D o o n e s w a n t me to marry Carver. Sir Ensor w a n t s m e to marry Carver. G r a n d f a t h e r saw o n e of t h e o t h e r m e n l o o k i n g a t m e , a n d h e w a s a n g r y . "You m u s t m a r r y C a r v e r , " h e s a i d t o m e . " I h a v e c h o s e n h i m for y o u . B u t you are young. He must wait." But C a r v e r doesn't w a n t t o w a i t . A n d n o w h e w a t c h e s m e all t h e t i m e . A n d o n e day, G r a n d f a t h e r w i l l d i e . N o b o d y w i l l h e l p m e t h e n ! ' 'Does anybody h e l p you now?' I asked. 'Gwenny, my servant helps me,' Lorna replied. 'She knows about you, J o h n . I told her about you. She knows about our meetings.' After that, I told Lorna about my journey to London. 24

I t o l d h e r a b o u t J u d g e Jeffreys a n d h i s p l a n s . 'I w o n ' t leave you again, L o r n a , ' I said. T h e n I g a v e h e r a l i t t l e p r e s e n t . I h a d b o u g h t i t for her in L o n d o n . It was a ring w i t h a blue s t o n e . L o r n a cried for a m i n u t e . B u t I p u t t h e r i n g o n h e r f i n g e r a n d she s t o p p e d crying. S h e s m i l e d a n d s h e kissed m e . T h e n s h e t o o k t h e r i n g off h e r f i n g e r . ' I c a n ' t w e a r t h i s n o w , J o h n , ' s h e s a i d . ' B u t o n e day, I will w e a r i t for y o u . P l e a s e t a k e c a r e o f i t for m e . A n d now, g o h o m e , J o h n . S t a y a w a y f r o m t h i s p l a c e . I w i l l send a m e s s a g e t o y o u s o o n . '

25

T w o m o n t h s passed. It was a u t u m n . I t h o u g h t about L o r n a e v e r y day, b u t s h e d i d n o t s e n d m e a n y m e s s a g e s . O n e morning, I w e n t to our secret meeting-place in t h e v a l l e y . I w a i t e d t h e r e a l l day. In t h e afternoon, I saw a big m a n walking in t h e valley. He was w e a r i n g a wide h a t a n d h e a v y boots. He was carrying a g u n . He c a m e n e a r e r a n d I saw his cruel f a c e . I t w a s C a r v e r D o o n e . W a s h e l o o k i n g for m e ? I w a i t e d till e v e n i n g , b u t L o r n a did n o t c o m e . I w e n t b a c k t o t h e v a l l e y e v e r y e v e n i n g for t h e n e x t two weeks. T h e n one evening, G w e n n y brought me a message from Lorna.

26

I went to our meeting-place the next morning, and L o r n a w a s w a i t i n g for m e . ' O h , J o h n ; ' s h e said. 'I am a p r i s o n e r in t h e h o u s e now. C a r v e r w a t c h e s m e all t h e t i m e . ' 'Lorna, do you love me?' I asked. 'I love you, Lorna, and I w a n t to marry you.' 'I do love you, J o h n , ' L o r n a said. 'But we c a n n e v e r get m a r r i e d . '

We met in the cave the next morning, and the next. But after t h a t , L o r n a d i d n o t c o m e t o o u r s e c r e t p l a c e . W h a t h a d h a p p e n e d to her? I did n o t know, b u t I was very w o r r i e d a b o u t h e r . O n e day, I m a d e a p l a n . 'I will go to h e r h o u s e t o n i g h t , ' I t h o u g h t . 'I will go into the valley t h r o u g h t h e D o o n e G a t e . ' T h e D o o n e G a t e was a t t h e e n d o f t h e valley. I t was not

one

of the

secret

entrances

to

the

valley.

Sometimes, p e o p l e from E x m o o r h a d to visit o n e of t h e Doones' houses. T h e y w e n t into t h e valley t h r o u g h t h e Doone G a t e . But it was a dangerous place. T h e r e were always t w o g u a r d s w i t h g u n s o u t s i d e t h e g a t e . T h a t n i g h t , I was lucky. I w e n t to t h e gate after dark. T h e t w o g u a r d s w e r e d r i n k i n g b r a n d y a n d t h e y were a r g u i n g . A n d s o o n , t h e y b e g a n t o f i g h t . I d i d n o t have to speak to t h e m . I m o v e d quickly past t h e m in the darkness, a n d t h e y did n o t see m e . I found Sir Ensor's h o u s e . L o r n a lived t h e r e - I knew that. But w h i c h was t h e w i n d o w of h e r room? I did n o t k n o w . I w a s a f r a i d a n d I d i d n o t c a l l h e r n a m e . 27

I waited in the dark, near the house. After an hour, Lorna suddenly opened a window. She put her head out of the window and she

looked sadly at the

m o o n . W a s she t h i n k i n g of me? I called to her quietly and she looked d o w n at me. ' J o h n ! ' she said. ' A r e you mad?' 'I w a n t e d to see you,' I said. ' W h y are you a prisoner here, Lorna?' 'My grandfather is very ill,' she replied. ' H e will die very soon. I can't leave

the house.

G w e n n y can't leave the house.

The

men watch

us. My g r a n d f a t h e r will die. T h e n I will h a v e to marry

Carver.

I'm

in

d a n g e r h e r e , J o h n . You must help me!'

28

' W h a t shall I do?' I asked. ' T h e r e is a very tall tree b e h i n d you,' L o r n a said. ' D o y o u s e e it? Y o u w i l l b e a b l e t o s e e i t f r o m t h e h i l l , o u t s i d e t h e v a l l e y . L o o k a t i t e v e r y day. T h e r e a r e some birds' n e s t s i n it. T h e r e are s e v e n o f t h e m . O n e day, G w e n n y w i l l c l i m b t h e t r e e a n d t a k e away o n e o f t h e n e s t s . T h e n y o u m u s t c o m e immediately. I will be in v e r y g r e a t d a n g e r ! '

The next morning, I told my m o t h e r about Lorna. 'Yes, m y s o n , ' s h e s a i d . ' O n e d a y s o o n , S i r E n s o r w i l l die. L o r n a w i l l b e i n g r e a t d a n g e r . B u t s h e m u s t n o t marry C a r v e r D o o n e . H e i s a m u r d e r e r . Y o u m u s t b r i n g Lorna h e r e , J o h n . We will t a k e care of her.' A n d every day after t h a t , I w e n t t o t h e h i l l a b o v e D o o n e V a l l e y . I l o o k e d a t t h e t a l l t r e e . O n e day, t h e r e were o n l y six n e s t s i n it! I went home and I waited until the evening. T h e n I went up o n t o t h e hill again. Suddenly, I saw s o m e b o d y coming towards m e . It was Lorna's servant, G w e n n y . 'Sir E n s o r D o o n e i s d y i n g , M r R i d d , ' s h e s a i d . ' H e wants to talk to you.'

29

I followed G w e n n y d o w n the hill and t h r o u g h D o o n e Valley. W e arrived at Sir Ensor D o o n e ' s h o u s e . L o r n a w a s w a i t i n g for m e . I p u t m y a r m s a r o u n d h e r . T h e n s h e t o o k m e i n t o a l a r g e r o o m a n d s h e left m e t h e r e . A very old m a n w i t h w h i t e h a i r a n d b l a c k eyes was sitting i n a b i g c h a i r . H e l o o k e d a t m e carefully. 'Are you J o h n Ridd?' he asked. 'Yes, sir,' I r e p l i e d . ' A r e y o u f e e l i n g b e t t e r , sir?' 'John Ridd, why do you m e e t Lorna?' the old m a n asked. ' I l o v e h e r , sir,' I r e p l i e d . ' I ' m a f a r m e r , a n d L o r n a c o m e s f r o m a r i c h family. I k n o w t h a t . B u t t h e R i d d s h a v e b e e n h o n e s t m e n for h u n d r e d s o f y e a r s . A n d t h e D o o n e s h a v e b e e n r o b b e r s a n d m u r d e r e r s for forty y e a r s ! ' I h a d s p o k e n foolishly! 'Sir Ensor will be angry w i t h me now,' I thought. But my words were true! A n d the o l d m a n w a s n o t a n g r y . H e s p o k e q u i e t l y a n d sadly. 'You m u s t m a k e m e a p r o m i s e , J o h n R i d d , ' h e said. 'You m u s t n e v e r m e e t L o r n a again. A n d you must never speak to her again. Now, bring her here to me!' I found L o r n a a n d I t o o k h e r b a c k to Sir Ensor. T h e old m a n saw m y a r m a r o u n d h e r s h o u l d e r s . H e saw h e r hand in my hand. 'You y o u n g fools!' he said. ' W e ' l l b e h a p p y fools t o g e t h e r , sir,' I s a i d .

30

Lorna kissed m e . T h e n she said,

'I

love him,

Grandfather.' T h e n b e fools t o g e t h e r ! ' t h e o l d m a n s a i d . ' I c a n n o t help you.' His voice was very tired. I said g o o d b y e t o L o r n a a n d I left t h e h o u s e . A few w e e k s l a t e r , S i r E n s o r D o o n e d i e d .

A l o t o f s n o w fell o n E x m o o r t h a t w i n t e r . T h e s n o w was v e r y d e e p , a n d e v e r y t h i n g o n t h e m o o r w a s w h i t e . I worried a b o u t L o r n a . W a s s h e w a r m a n d dry? D i d s h e have e n o u g h food? I w a n t e d to go to her. T h e D o o n e s will n o t travel in this weather,' I thought. 'I will go to t h e valley today. N o b o d y will see m e . I will be safe.' T h a t evening, I t o o k our sledge a n d I pulled it over t h e frozen g r o u n d . I p u l l e d i t d o w n i n t o D o o n e V a l l e y . I went through t h e hole in t h e rocks.

31

I t w a s a d i f f i c u l t j o u r n e y i n t h e s n o w . B u t a t last, I was s t a n d i n g in front of Lorna's house. I k n o c k e d on t h e d o o r a n d G w e n n y o p e n e d it. Inside t h e house, Lorna was lying in a chair. H e r face was p a l e a n d s h e was very w e a k . ' J o h n . You've c o m e to see m e , ' s h e said quietly. 'I'm in trouble, John. Grandfather died and Carver wanted to marry me immediately. I said n o . N o w t h e m e n w o n ' t give us a n y food. W e ' r e prisoners h e r e ! ' ' Y o u m u s t b o t h c o m e h o m e w i t h m e , ' I s a i d . 'You m u s t c o m e n o w ! M o t h e r , A n n i e a n d I will t a k e care of you both.' I lifted L o r n a i n m y a r m s , a n d G w e n n y f o l l o w e d u s o u t s i d e t o t h e s l e d g e . L o r n a lay o n t h e s l e d g e a n d s o o n , we began our journey through the night. I pulled the sledge a n d G w e n n y walked beside m e .

32

After t w o hours, we arrived at my farm. My m o t h e r a n d sister m e t u s n e a r t h e h o u s e , a n d w e c a r r i e d L o r n a inside. W e g a v e h e r a n d G w e n n y s o m e g o o d , h o t food. My mother looked at Lorna. ' S w e e t c h i l d , ' s h e s a i d . 'You a r e w e l c o m e h e r e , '

Lorna smiled. ' T h a n k y o u , ' s h e s a i d . ' Y o u h a v e s a v e d m y life.'

M o r e s n o w fell d u r i n g t h e n e x t few d a y s . ' T h e w e a t h e r will be b e t t e r s o o n , ' I told my m o t h e r . ' T h e n t h e D o o n e s w i l l s e a r c h for L o r n a . T h e y w i l l c o m e h e r e . W e m u s t b e r e a d y for t h e m . ' But after t h e s n o w , t h e r e w a s h e a v y r a i n . I t fell for many days. T h e s n o w t u r n e d t o water, a n d t h e L y n n River r a n fast t h r o u g h D o o n e V a l l e y . H o r s e s c o u l d n o t cross t h e r i v e r . N o b o d y c o u l d l e a v e t h e v a l l e y . N o b o d y could c o m e for L o r n a . 33

O n e r a i n y day, T o m Faggus a r r i v e d a t o u r farm. H e w a n t e d t o see A n n i e . A n d h e b r o u g h t s o m e g o o d n e w s with him. 'I've b o u g h t a farm,' he said to A n n i e . 'I'm going to be an h o n e s t m a n from today.' T h e n he looked at my mother. ' A n d I want to marry A n n i e , Mrs Ridd,' he said to her. ' W e will be h a p p y together.'

M o t h e r a n d I were n o t surprised. T o m loved A n n i e a n d s h e l o v e d h i m . W e k n e w t h a t . W e w e r e all h a p p y t h a t d a y . T h e n I t o l d T o m a b o u t m y l o v e for L o r n a . A n d I t o l d h i m a b o u t S i r E n s o r D o o n e a n d h i s family. ' L o r n a a n d G w e n n y live w i t h us now,' I said. ' T h e y must never go back to the Doones.'

34

T o m left u s t h e n e x t m o r n i n g . A n d t h e n e x t e v e n i n g , Jeremy Stickles arrived at our farm w i t h s o m e soldiers. He had returned to Somerset some weeks before. He told u s a b o u t h i s w o r k o n E x m o o r . ' J u d g e Jeffreys s e n t m e h e r e , ' h e s a i d . ' I a m l o o k i n g for e n e m i e s o f t h e K i n g . A n d I a m f i n d i n g o u t m o r e about t h e D o o n e s . B u t last n i g h t , t h r e e o f t h e D o o n e s attacked us. T h e y s h o t o n e of my soldiers.' T h e King's messenger a n d his soldiers rested at t h e farm. W e g a v e t h e m s o m e f o o d . T h e n I t o l d J e r e m y about Lorna. 'You h a v e d o n e w e l l , J o h n , ' J e r e m y s a i d . ' B u t t h e Doones are evil people. C a r v e r D o o n e a n d his m e n will c o m e for L o r n a s o o n . T h e y w i l l t r y t o t a k e h e r a n d t h e y will t r y t o k i l l y o u . Y o u w i l l h a v e t o f i g h t t h e m . I m u s t l e a v e t o m o r r o w , b u t six o f m y s o l d i e r s w i l l s t a y here with you.'

A few d a y s l a t e r , I a r r i v e d h o m e l a t e in t h e e v e n i n g . I h a d b e e n w o r k i n g i n m y fields all day. T h e d o o r s a n d w i n d o w s o f t h e h o u s e w e r e l o c k e d . I c a l l e d J a n Fry a n d h e let m e i n . T h e w o m e n w e r e v e r y f r i g h t e n e d . 'What's happened?' I asked t h e m . 'This afternoon, I w e n t into the garden,' Lorna replied. ' S u d d e n l y , I s a w C a r v e r D o o n e s t a n d i n g n e a r the trees. He was w a t c h i n g m e , a n d he was h o l d i n g a gun. I was afraid. F o r a m i n u t e , I c o u l d n ' t m o v e . T h e n C a r v e r lifted h i s g u n . H e s h o t a t t h e g r o u n d n e a r m y feet. H e w a n t e d t o f r i g h t e n m e . ' 35

T h e n h e s h o u t e d a message,' L o r n a said. ' H e shouted, "You m u s t c o m e b a c k t o u s t o m o r r o w ! W e are g o i n g to kill J o h n R i d d ! You m u s t h e l p us!" I r a n back to the house and we locked the door and the windows.' C a r v e r w a s n o t g o i n g t o w a i t u n t i l t h e n e x t day. I k n e w that. T h e Doones were going to come that night. I h a d a p l a n . I t o l d t h e s o l d i e r s a b o u t it. T h e n I spoke to the w o m e n . ' M o t h e r , A n n i e a n d L o r n a m u s t stay i n t h e h o u s e w i t h t h e soldiers,' I said. ' G w e n n y , c o m e w i t h m e ! ' G w e n n y and I went into the garden. I hid behind a wall in t h e garden a n d G w e n n y climbed a tree near the river. I c o u l d see h e r from my h i d i n g - p l a c e . G w e n n y w a t c h e d for t h e D o o n e s . A f t e r a n h o u r , s h e saw t h e m . S h e c l i m b e d d o w n t h e tree a n d c a m e t o m e . ' T e n m e n a r e c r o s s i n g t h e r i v e r n o w , ' s h e said quietly. 'Carver is leading t h e m . ' ' G o i n t o t h e h o u s e n o w , ' I said. 'Tell t h e soldiers a b o u t t h e D o o n e s . T h e n stay inside t h e h o u s e ! ' I w a t c h e d t h e g a t e i n o u r g a r d e n w a l l . A f t e r a few m i n u t e s t h e D o o n e s c a m e . T h e y broke d o w n t h e gate, t h e n they rode into the garden. 'Kill every m a n in t h e h o u s e , ' said t h e voice of Carver Doone. ' T h e n burn the house. Burn it to the ground!

But r e m e m b e r this - Lorna belongs to me.

N o b o d y must touch her!' I lifted my g u n . 'I c a n kill C a r v e r n o w , ' I t h o u g h t . But C a r v e r could n o t see m e . A n d I h a d never k i l l e d a m a n . I c o u l d n o t d o it. I w a i t e d . 36

37

T h e n t h e soldiers started shooting at t h e Doones. T w o m o r e D o o n e s fell t o t h e g r o u n d , a n d t h e o t h e r s s t o o d still. T h e y p u t t h e i r h a n d s a b o v e t h e i r h e a d s . I w a l k e d towards Carver. Two of t h e soldiers were p o i n t i n g t h e i r g u n s a t h i m . S u d d e n l y , h e t r i e d t o lift his o w n gun. But I pushed h i m d o w n o n t o the ground a n d I t o o k his g u n from h i m . T h e o t h e r D o o n e s saw this a n d t h e y started t o run away. T w o o f t h e m got t o t h e i r horses. B u t t h e soldiers killed t h r e e m o r e o f t h e m . C a r v e r got u p a n d r a n t o his o w n h o r s e . H e r o d e after t h e o t h e r m e n . H e s h o u t e d a t t h e m . He w a n t e d t h e m to attack us again. At t h a t m o m e n t , Jeremy arrived at t h e farm. I told h i m a b o u t t h e f i g h t . I w a n t e d t o r i d e after t h e D o o n e s . ' N o , J o h n ! ' J e r e m y said. 'You will b e i n danger. T h e r e are m o r e D o o n e s o n t h e o t h e r side o f t h e river.' We did n o t chase Carver and his men. But the D o o n e s h a d lost a fight. T h a t was s o m e t h i n g n e w !

38

A few d a y s l a t e r , J e r e m y S t i c k l e s t o l d m e a s t r a n g e story. I t w a s l a t e i n t h e e v e n i n g . T h e w o m e n h a d g o n e to b e d . 'John, I m u s t tell you s o m e t h i n g , ' J e r e m y said. 'You w o n ' t l i k e it. B u t y o u m u s t h e a r i t ! ' 'Tell m e , J e r e m y , ' I s a i d . 'Yesterday, I was riding b a c k from D u l v e r t o n , ' Jeremy said. 'It was late in t h e a f t e r n o o n , a n d I was tired. I w a n t e d to rest a n d I w a n t e d s o m e food. I stopped a t a n i n n , n e a r t h e sea. T h e o w n e r o f t h e i n n was a w o m a n - a w o m a n w i t h b l a c k h a i r a n d d a r k e y e s . She told me her n a m e . It was Benita. S h e was an I t a l i a n . A n d s h e t o l d m e t h e s t o r y o f h e r life.' ' M a n y y e a r s a g o , B e n i t a w o r k e d for a n E n g l i s h m a n ' s family,' J e r e m y s a i d . ' T h e f a m i l y - a m a n , h i s wife a n d his y o u n g d a u g h t e r - l i v e d i n R o m e . B e n i t a w a s t h e family's s e r v a n t . T h e y w e r e a r i c h family. T h e y o w n e d a lot o f l a n d i n S c o t l a n d . T h e r e h a d b e e n a n a r g u m e n t about some of t h e l a n d - an a r g u m e n t b e t w e e n t h e man and his cousin. T h e r e h a d b e e n a trial, a n d t h e c o u s i n h a d l o s t all h i s l a n d . ' 'Benita often travelled through Europe with this family,' J e r e m y s a i d . ' B u t o n e day, t h e m a n fell f r o m h i s h o r s e a n d h e d i e d . T h i s h a p p e n e d i n F r a n c e . F o r six m o n t h s after t h a t , t h e m a n ' s wife s t a y e d i n F r a n c e . '

39

' B u t at last, she b r o u g h t t h e little girl b a c k to E n g l a n d , ' said Jeremy. ' A n d B e n i t a c a m e w i t h t h e m . T h e family o w n e d a h o u s e in W a t c h e t . T h e t h r e e of t h e m were going to live there.' ' O n e N o v e m b e r afternoon, they were travelling in t h e i r c o a c h , ' said Jeremy. ' T h e y were on t h e road to W a t c h e t . T h e y w e r e n e a r t h e sea. S u d d e n l y , t h e driver o f t h e c o a c h saw s o m e m e n o n horses. T h e y were waiting n e x t to a big rock. T h e y h a d guns. T h e y were going to attack the coach. T h e driver drove the coach onto t h e s a n d a n d t o w a r d s t h e s e a . H e t r i e d t o e s c a p e from t h e robbers. But t h e robbers followed on their horses. T h e wheels of the heavy coach went deep into the sand. T h e c o a c h could n o t m o v e quickly.'

' T h e lady i n t h e c o a c h saw a n old m a n riding with t h e r o b b e r s . S h e s p o k e t o B e n i t a . S h e said, " I k n o w that man!

He is Sir Ensor D o o n e - my husband's

c o u s i n . H e i s o u r family's e n e m y ! " T h e n s h e asked t h e d r i v e r t o g o faster. A f t e r a m o m e n t , t h e c o a c h w a s i n t h e sea. B u t t h e w a v e s o f t h e sea t u r n e d t h e c o a c h o n t o its s i d e . A n d t h e n , s o m e t h i n g h i t B e n i t a ' s h e a d . ' 40

'Later, B e n i t a o p e n e d h e r eyes,' J e r e m y said. ' S h e was v e r y c o l d . S h e w a s l y i n g o n t h e s a n d a n d t h e r i c h lady was s i t t i n g o n a r o c k n e a r b y . T h e D o o n e s h a d g o n e . A n d t h e l i t t l e girl h a d g o n e t o o ! ' 'Benita a n d t h e c o a c h driver t o o k t h e lady to h e r house i n W a t c h e t , ' said Jeremy. ' B u t s h e s o o n d i e d , ' ' W h a t h a p p e n e d to t h e little girl?' I asked. ' A n d why did B e n i t a stay in S o m e r s e t ? ' 'The Doones took everything from the c o a c h , ' Jeremy answered. 'Benita h a d n o m o n e y . S h e c o u l d n o t go b a c k to Italy. S h e stayed h e r e a n d s h e m a r r i e d a m a n from D u l v e r t o n . ' ' W h a t h a p p e n e d t o t h e l i t t l e girl?' I a s k e d a g a i n . ' C a n ' t you guess t h a t , J o h n ? ' J e r e m y said. ' T h e little girl w a s L o r n a ! ' T h e n I r e m e m b e r e d t h e day after m y father's d e a t h - N o v e m b e r 2 9 t h , 1 6 7 3 . J a n Fry h a d t a k e n m e h o m e from s c h o o l t h a t day. W e h a d s e e n a c o a c h n e a r Dulverton. I r e m e m b e r e d t h e p e o p l e in t h e fine c o a c h - t h e lady, h e r s e r v a n t a n d t h e p r e t t y l i t t l e g i r l . A n d I remembered another thing. T h a t night, I had seen the Doones riding on the moor. O n e of t h e m h a d b e e n holding a child on his horse. ' W h o were Lorna's parents?' I asked. 'Their names were Lord and Lady Dugal,' Jeremy answered. ' T h e Dugals were o n e of t h e richest families in England. J o h n , you m u s t tell L o r n a t h e t r u t h a b o u t her family. S h e is n o t a D o o n e . S h e is L a d y L o r n a Dugal!' 41

I h a d t o t e l l L o r n a a b o u t h e r family. B u t I w a s afraid. ' T h e Dugals are a rich a n d i m p o r t a n t family,' I t h o u g h t . 'Will Lorna w a n t to marry a farmer now?' T h e n e x t m o r n i n g , L o r n a was sitting i n t h e garden. S h e was r e a d i n g a b o o k . I sat d o w n beside her.

'I h a v e to tell you s o m e t h i n g , L o r n a , ' I said. ' S o o n , y o u ' l l k n o w t h e t r u t h a b o u t y o u r family. W i l l y o u say, " G o away, J o h n R i d d ! " W i l l you forget a b o u t me?' Lorna laughed. S h e s a i d , ' O r w i l l I say, " J o h n R i d d , I l o v e y o u ! " W h a t d o you w a n t t o tell m e , J o h n ? ' 'I w a n t to tell you a b o u t your m o t h e r a n d your father,' I said. 'Lorna, you are n o t a D o o n e . Your father was n o t Sir Ensor's son. Your father was Lord Dugal. H e d i e d i n F r a n c e . You w e r e very y o u n g , L o r n a . '

42

T o u r m o t h e r d i e d s o o n after y o u r f a t h e r , ' I said. ' B u t she died i n S o m e r s e t . T h e D o o n e s a t t a c k e d her. T h e y took you away from her.' L o r n a ' s f a c e b e c a m e p a l e . I t o l d h e r J e r e m y ' s story. For a few m i n u t e s , s h e c r i e d for h e r d e a d p a r e n t s . T h e n she p u t h e r a r m s a r o u n d m e a n d s h e kissed m e . 'My d e a r J o h n , ' she said. 'I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r my parents. I h a v e you, a n d I w a n t only you. I love you!' I l o o k e d at Lorna's clear, b r i g h t eyes. I w a n t e d to b e l i e v e h e r , b u t I w a s afraid. I w a s afraid, b u t a t last I u n d e r s t o o d C a r v e r D o o n e ' s plan. T h e D o o n e s w e r e t h e e n e m i e s o f L o r n a ' s family. They h a d t a k e n Lorna from h e r mother. T h e y k n e w about her parents. But they h a d n o t told her about t h e m . Yes, C a r v e r w a n t e d t o m a r r y L o r n a , b u t h e d i d not love her. H e w a n t e d h e r land a n d h e r money. H e wanted the Doones to have the Dugals' land again.

S o o n after t h a t day, T o m F a g g u s a n d m y sister, A n n i e , got m a r r i e d . T h e y l i v e d a t T o m ' s f a r m a n d t h e y w e r e very h a p p y t o g e t h e r . I w a n t e d to marry Lorna. I d r e a m t of h a p p i n e s s w i t h her. B u t t h e n s o m e t h i n g t e r r i b l e h a p p e n e d . I c a m e home one evening, and Lorna had gone! My mother told m e t h e n e w s . S h e w a s a n g r y . 'Lady L o r n a Dugal a n d G w e n n y h a v e g o n e t o L o n d o n , ' s h e s a i d . ' L o r n a left a l e t t e r for y o u . ' I ran to Lorna's r o o m a n d I found t h e letter.

43

I read those words, a n d I w a n t e d to believe them. B u t I w a s v e r y u n h a p p y . ' I s h a l l n e v e r see L o r n a a g a i n ! ' I thought.

44

In January 1685, Mother and I heard some news. T h e King's soldiers w e r e g o i n g t o t a k e t h e D o o n e s t o t h e j u d g e s . A t last, t h e j u d g e s w e r e g o i n g t o p u n i s h t h e m ! But t h e soldiers did n o t c o m e . In February, King Charles died. Immediately, there was trouble in t h e country. Prince James, t h e dead king's brother, b e c a m e the next king. But many people in England did n o t like h i m . F i g h t i n g s t a r t e d i n m a n y p a r t s o f t h e c o u n t r y . Many people in Somerset were enemies of the new king. Suddenly, t h e r e were m a n y soldiers on Exmoor. But they were fighting K i n g J a m e s ' e n e m i e s . T h e y could n o t fight t h e D o o n e s t o o .

I w a i t e d for n e w s f r o m L o r n a , b u t n o l e t t e r s c a m e from h e r . S o l d i e r s f r o m L o n d o n o f t e n c a m e t o o u r farm. S o m e t i m e s , t h e y t a l k e d a b o u t L o r n a . 'She is a famous lady now,' t h e y said. ' M a n y r i c h young m e n w a n t to marry her.' ' L o r n a h a s f o r g o t t e n m e ! ' I t h o u g h t sadly. 45

O n e day, A n n i e c a m e t o t h e f a r m . S h e a n d T o m F a g g u s h a d b e e n m a r r i e d for m o r e t h a n a y e a r . T h e y h a d a b a b y b o y . T h a t day, A n n i e b r o u g h t t h e c h i l d w i t h h e r to o u r farm. My sister was crying. ' O h , J o h n , ' she said. ' T o m h a s g o n e away. He is g o i n g t o fight a g a i n s t K i n g J a m e s ' soldiers. You m u s t f i n d h i m for m e . Y o u m u s t b r i n g h i m b a c k t o u s ! ' 'I c a n ' t l e a v e t h e farm,' I said. ' T h e D o o n e s will a t t a c k it. C a r v e r a n d h i s m e n w i l l b u r n i t d o w n . I m u s t stay h e r e . I m u s t take care of M o t h e r . ' B u t I l o v e d my sister a n d I w a n t e d to h e l p her. A n d I d i d n o t w a n t T o m t o d i e . E a r l y t h e n e x t m o r n i n g , I left t h e f a r m . I t r a v e l l e d for f o u r d a y s . I n e a c h t o w n , I a s k e d p e o p l e for n e w s o f T o m . O n t h e fifth day, I a r r i v e d i n t h e t o w n of Bridgwater. It was a S u n d a y e v e n i n g - the d a t e w a s t h e 4 t h o r 5 t h o f July. T h e t o w n w a s full o f angry m e n . A l l o f t h e m w a n t e d t o fight K i n g James' soldiers. A n d t h e soldiers were nearby. I w a s t i r e d . I w e n t t o a n i n n for t h e n i g h t . B u t v e r y early in t h e m o r n i n g , I w o k e up. T h e sound of guns w o k e m e . T h e r e w a s a b a t t l e , a n d i t w a s n o t far a w a y ! W a s T o m Faggus fighting there? It was a b o u t four o'clock. I p u t on my c l o t h e s a n d I w e n t to t h e stable. I got o n t o my horse and I rode out of the town, towards the sounds of the battle.

46

S o o n I c a m e to a small village. T h e King's soldiers h a d left t h e v i l l a g e , b u t t h e i r c o o k i n g fires w e r e s t i l l b u r n i n g . I r o d e o n , a n d after a few m i n u t e s , I c a m e t o t h e battle. T h e noise from t h e guns was terrible. T h e screams of dying m e n were terrible too! M e n w i t h blood a n d dirt o n t h e i r faces w e r e r u n n i n g a w a y f r o m t h e b a t t l e f i e l d . B u t m a n y lay o n t h e g r o u n d . M o s t o f t h e m w e r e d e a d . T h e King's soldiers h a d w o n t h e b a t t l e . I g o t off my h o r s e a n d I h e l p e d a d y i n g m a n . I g a v e h i m some water. T h e n a strange thing happened. A horse w i t h o u t a rider c a m e t o w a r d s m e . I t p u s h e d its h e a d against my neck. horse.

She

was

I knew that Tom's

horse,

Winnie! She looked down at me. T h e n s h e t u r n e d a n d b e g a n t o w a l k a w a y slowly. ' W i n n i e w a n t s me to follow her,' I t h o u g h t . So I got back o n t o my horse a n d I followed her. S h e led me to an old building on a farm. I w e n t inside t h e building. T o m F a g g u s w a s l y i n g o n t h e floor. H i s s h o u l d e r w a s badly injured. T h e r e was b l o o d on his c l o t h e s . I quickly cut a piece of c l o t h from my c o a t a n d I tied it r o u n d Tom's injured shoulder. T h e n I gave h i m s o m e water. H e d r a n k i t slowly. 'Is W i n n i e i n j u r e d ? ' T o m a s k e d m e . ' N o , she isn't injured, Tom,' I replied. ' P l e a s e lift m e o n t o h e r b a c k , J o h n , ' s a i d T o m . ' S h e ' s a fast h o r s e . S h e ' l l t a k e m e h o m e safely.' 47

I t o o k T o m o u t s i d e , a n d I lifted h i m c a r e f u l l y o n t o Winnie's back. ' I ' l l b e safe n o w , ' T o m s a i d . ' N o h o r s e c a n r u n a s fast as W i n n i e ! ' I w a t c h e d W i n n i e t a k i n g T o m away. T h e n I lay d o w n i n t h e o l d b u i l d i n g a n d I s l e p t for m a n y h o u r s .

Suddenly, I woke up. T h e r e were m e n standing round m e . T h e y were t h e King's soldiers. ' S t a n d u p ! ' o n e o f t h e m said. H e p o i n t e d his g u n a t m e . 'You are o n e o f t h e King's e n e m i e s ! ' ' N o , I'm n o t o n e of t h e King's e n e m i e s , ' I said. 'I love t h e King.' But t h e soldiers did n o t believe m e . 'Take h i m outside a n d s h o o t h i m , ' a n o t h e r soldier said. ' T h e King's e n e m i e s m u s t die. T h a t is t h e law!' T h e soldiers p u t a rope r o u n d my h a n d s a n d arms, and they pushed me out of the building. T h e y threw me o n t o the ground. T h e y were going to shoot me.

48

I t h o u g h t about Lorna a n d about my mother. I loved t h e m very m u c h . T h e soldiers lifted t h e i r g u n s . But suddenly, a m a n on a horse rode b e t w e e n me and t h e soldiers' guns. It was Jeremy Stickles! 'Wait!' Jeremy shouted to the soldiers.

'Don't

shoot!' T h e n h e spoke t o m e . ' J o h n R i d d ! You are m y prisoner now,' he said. Jeremy took t h e rope from my arms a n d we b o t h got onto our horses. We rode away from t h e farm. ' T h a n k y o u , J e r e m y , ' I s a i d . ' Y o u s a v e d m y life.' ' T h e D o o n e s a t t a c k e d my soldiers at y o u r farm,' said Jeremy. 'You h e l p e d m y m e n t h a t day. A n d n o w I've helped you. But you are in danger, J o h n . T h e soldiers will t e l l t h e j u d g e s a b o u t y o u . Y o u m u s t g o t o J u d g e Jeffreys i n L o n d o n . Y o u m u s t t e l l h i m y o u r s t o r y . '

49

I w a s i n L o n d o n for t w o m o n t h s . D u r i n g t h a t t i m e , I m e t J u d g e Jeffreys a g a i n . T h e J u d g e r e m e m b e r e d m e . H e l i s t e n e d t o m y s t o r y a n d h e b e l i e v e d m e . A n d after five w e e k s , I s a w L o r n a ! L o r n a was living at t h e h o m e of h e r uncle - Lord Brandir. Lord Brandir was t h e b r o t h e r of Lorna's dead m o t h e r . He was an old m a n a n d he was a friend of King James. He lived in a large h o u s e in K e n s i n g t o n , near London, with many servants. I w a n t e d to see L o r n a very m u c h . ' D o e s s h e r e m e m b e r m e ? ' I a s k e d myself. ' D o e s s h e still l o v e m e ? ' M a n y people talked about t h e beautiful Lady Lorna Dugal. I learnt m a n y things about her. M a n y rich and i m p o r t a n t young m e n w a n t e d to marry her.

And

Q u e e n Mary liked her very m u c h . T h e two w o m e n often m e t a n d talked together. A n d on Sundays, they w e n t to a c h u r c h in L o n d o n together. O n e S u n d a y , I w e n t to t h e c h u r c h . I sat in a corner o f t h e c h u r c h a n d I w a i t e d for L o r n a . A f t e r s o m e m i n utes, King James a n d Q u e e n Mary entered t h e church. M a n y great lords a n d ladies followed t h e m . A n d t h e n L o r n a c a m e in. S h e was wearing a white dress. S h e was very beautiful. I loved h e r m o r e t h a n ever.

50

Suddenly, L o r n a t u r n e d h e r h e a d a n d she saw m e . She smiled. T h e n she sat d o w n n e x t t o t h e Q u e e n . ' S h e was o n c e my friend, L o r n a D o o n e , ' I t h o u g h t . 'But n o w she's t h e Q u e e n ' s friend, Lady L o r n a D u g a l . ' A few m i n u t e s later, a t h i n y o u n g m a n w i t h y e l l o w hair w a l k e d t o w a r d s m e . H e said n o t h i n g , b u t h e gave me a piece of folded paper. T h e n he w e n t away. I o p e n e d t h e p a p e r a n d I r e a d t h e w o r d s o n it. T h e y w e r e words o f l o v e - a n d t h e y w e r e f r o m m y d e a r L o r n a . I ran out of t h e c h u r c h . I was a h a p p y m a n again!

The next evening, I w e n t to Kensington. I w e n t to Lord Brandir's h o u s e . Lorna's s e r v a n t , G w e n n y , o p e n e d t h e door to m e . S h e was angry w i t h m e . I did n o t k n o w why. G w e n n y took me to a little room. 'Please w a i t h e r e , ' she said.

51

L o r n a a r r i v e d a few m i n u t e s l a t e r . S h e h e l d o u t h e r h a n d a n d I k i s s e d it. ' M y d e a r J o h n , ' she said quietly. ' M y d e a r L o r n a , ' I said. 'I love you very m u c h . W h y didn't you write to me?' ' W h a t d o you m e a n , J o h n ? ' said L o r n a . ' I did write to you! I gave t h e letters to G w e n n y and —' L o r n a s t o p p e d s p e a k i n g . A m o m e n t later, she called G w e n n y into the room. L o r n a asked t h e servant some questions. A n d soon, G w e n n y was c r y i n g sadly. B u t w e l e a r n e d t h e t r u t h about t h e letters. G w e n n y h a d n o t sent t h e m to me. S h e did n o t w a n t L o r n a to marry a farmer from Exmoor. S h e w a n t e d h e r mistress to marry a rich m a n from L o n d o n . S h e h a d h i d d e n t h e letters. L o r n a was very angry. S h e s e n t t h e s e r v a n t away. ' B u t i s G w e n n y r i g h t ? ' I a s k e d L o r n a . ' P e o p l e will say, " L o r n a D u g a l i s f o o l i s h ! S h e w a n t s t o m a r r y a f a r m e r ! " D o y o u w a n t t o m a r r y m e , L o r n a ? You will b e h a p p y a t t h e f a r m . Y o u w i l l h a v e n i c e c l o t h e s . A n d I'll a l w a y s l o v e y o u . B u t y o u w o n ' t b e a n i m p o r t a n t lady.' 'John, I t h o u g h t about this a long time ago,' Lorna answered. 'I w a n t you to be my h u s b a n d . I've lived in L o n d o n for a y e a r n o w a n d I h a t e it! T h e w o m e n d o n ' t like m e . T h e m e n are only interested i n m y m o n e y and m y l a n d . O n e day, I will b e t w e n t y - o n e , J o h n . A n d t h e n I'll m a r r y y o u . I'll m a r r y y o u a n d w e ' l l l i v e o n t h e farm at O a r e . Please visit me often until t h e n . '

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Late o n e e v e n i n g in September, I was leaving Lord Brandir's h o u s e . I saw t h r e e m e n s t a n d i n g n e a r s o m e trees. T h e y were l o o k i n g a t t h e h o u s e . O n e o f t h e m was c a r r y i n g s o m e r o p e . ' W h y a r e t h e y h e r e ? ' I a s k e d myself. ' W h a t a r e t h e i r plans? A r e t h e y robbers?' I watched the men until midnight. At midnight, the street was very dark, a n d no lamps were b u r n i n g in Lord Brandir's h o u s e . S u d d e n l y , I h e a r d s o m e b o d y c a l l i n g softly to t h e three m e n . T h e n they walked quietly up to the house. S o m e b o d y inside t h e house o p e n e d a w i n d o w n e a r the street. T h e three m e n entered t h e house t h r o u g h the window. I m o v e d quickly and I followed t h e m into the house. Inside t h e h o u s e I saw a s e r v a n t girl. S h e was carrying a l a m p a n d s h e w a s l e a d i n g t h e t h r e e m e n u p t h e stairs. I w a i t e d for a m o m e n t , t h e n I w e n t u p s t a i r s t o o . T h e three m e n were standing outside Lord Brandir's b e d r o o m . T h e y did n o t see m e . O n e of t h e m e n tried to o p e n t h e b e d r o o m door, but i t was l o c k e d . T h e m a n q u i c k l y b r o k e t h e lock. H e m a d e s o m e n o i s e , a n d t h e s e r v a n t girl r a n a w a y . T h e n the three m e n w e n t into Lord Brandir's b e d r o o m . After a m o m e n t , I followed t h e m to t h e d o o r a n d I stood o u t s i d e it. I l o o k e d i n t o t h e b e d r o o m . L o r d Brandir was sitting up in his bed. O n e of t h e robbers had a gun. He was p o i n t i n g it at Lord Brandir. T h e other t w o m e n were trying to o p e n a large m e t a l b o x . 53

54

55

A n h o u r later, four soldiers c a m e t o t h e h o u s e . T h e y t o o k t h e robbers away. S o o n , t h e soldiers found o u t about the three men. T h e y were enemies of Lord Brandir. A n d they were enemies of King James.

T h e next morning, Lord Brandir told the King my story. A n d t h a t a f t e r n o o n , t h e K i n g s e n t for m e . I w e n t to his palace a n d a servant took me to a beautiful room. T h e King and Q u e e n were there. T h e y smiled at me. 'You are t h e g r e a t J o h n R i d d ! ' said Q u e e n Mary. 'Lady L o r n a Dugal has told me about you.' ' J o h n R i d d , ' said t h e King. 'I t h a n k you. You've d o n e a g r e a t t h i n g for m e a n d for y o u r c o u n t r y . A n d y o u ' v e d o n e a g r e a t t h i n g for m y f r i e n d , L o r d B r a n d i r . ' T h e n K i n g J a m e s lifted a s w o r d a n d h e t o u c h e d m y s h o u l d e r w i t h it. 'From this m o m e n t , your n a m e will be Sir J o h n R i d d , ' h e said.

56

I left L o n d o n after t w o m o n t h s . I d i d n o t w a n t t o l e a v e Lorna t h e r e . But I was worried a b o u t t h e farm. I w a n t e d t o g o h o m e . I w a n t e d t o s e e m y m o t h e r a n d J a n Fry. A n d I w a n t e d t o see A n n i e , T o m a n d t h e i r son.

In December, I was at h o m e on t h e farm. My family was h a p p y a n d I w a s h a p p y t o o . A n d I w r o t e t o L o r n a very o f t e n . B u t t h a t w i n t e r , t h e r e w a s m o r e t r o u b l e o n Exmoor. T h e D o o n e s were m a k i n g t h e trouble. C h r i s t o p h e r Badcock was o n e of our neighbours. He was a f a r m e r a n d he w a s a g o o d m a n . O n e d a y in February, s o m e t h i n g terrible h a p p e n e d t o his family. Carver and some of the other Doones went to the Badcocks' house. C h r i s t o p h e r was n o t there. He was w o r k i n g i n h i s f ields. B u t C h r i s t o p h e r ' s wife w a s i n t h e house w i t h h e r y o u n g baby. C a r v e r D o o n e pulled t h e b a b y f r o m h e r a r m s a n d h e t h r e w i t o n t o t h e h a r d floor. T h e b a b y d i e d i m m e d i a t e l y . T h e n t h e D o o n e s t o o k all the food a n d t h e m o n e y from t h e h o u s e . A n d t h e y t o o k C h r i s t o p h e r ' s wife a w a y w i t h t h e m . T h e m e n from t h e farms a n d villages o n t h e m o o r were very angry. S o m e of t h e m c a m e to my farm. ' W e m u s t stop this r o b b i n g a n d killing,' t h e y said. 'We are going t o a t t a c k t h e D o o n e s . W e w a n t you t o lead us, J o h n . '

57

T o m Faggus j o i n e d us. He h a d a p l a n . ' T h e D o o n e s like gold,' he said. ' T h e y like it very m u c h ! W e ' l l tell t h e m a story a b o u t s o m e gold. We'll say, " T h e r e ' s a l o t o f g o l d i n t h e m i n e a t W i z a r d ' s C a v e . Four m e n are going to t a k e it across E x m o o r on Friday n i g h t . " T h e D o o n e s will w a n t t h a t gold. S o m e o f t h e m will g o t o t h e m i n e late o n Friday afternoon. A n d some o f o u r m e n w i l l b e w a i t i n g for t h e m . ' ' T h e n I a n d s o m e of t h e o t h e r farmers will a t t a c k t h e D o o n e G a t e , ' said T o m . ' T h e r e w o n ' t b e m a n y D o o n e s i n t h e h o u s e s i n t h e valley. M o s t o f t h e m will b e a t t h e m i n e . B u t s o m e o f t h e m e n i n t h e h o u s e s will r u n to t h e D o o n e G a t e . T h e y will try to h e l p the guards t h e r e . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , J o h n a n d t h e rest o f o u r m e n will a t t a c k t h e h o u s e s i n t h e valley.' 'You m u s t a t t a c k t h e valley from t h e H i g h R o c k , J o h n , ' T o m s a i d . 'You k n o w t h a t p l a c e . T h e w a t e r falls i n t o t h e p o o l t h e r e . Y o u first m e t L o r n a t h e r e . Y o u r m e n m u s t b u r n all t h e D o o n e s ' h o u s e s . T h e D o o n e s m u s t l e a v e E x m o o r for e v e r - a l i v e o r d e a d ! ' It was a good plan.

We started to tell people about

t h e g o l d . A n d s o o n , t h e D o o n e s h a d h e a r d a b o u t it!

O n F r i d a y n i g h t , J a n Fry t o o k h i s g u n a n d h e w e n t t o t h e h i l l a b o v e D o o n e V a l l e y . H e w a s l i s t e n i n g for t h e sound of the fighting at D o o n e G a t e . Soon, he heard it. T h e n h e fired h i s g u n . I w a s w i t h s o m e o f o u r n e i g h bours a t t h e b o t t o m o f t h e H i g h R o c k . W e h e a r d Jan's gun and we started to climb the rock. 58

W e m o v e d quickly forward i n t o t h e valley. W e r a n b e t w e e n t h e trees, a n d t h e D o o n e s did n o t see u s c o m ing. T h e m e n i n t h e h o u s e s t r i e d t o f i g h t u s , b u t w e quickly killed t h e m . T h e n w e t o o k all t h e w o m e n a n d children outside and we burnt the houses.

S o o n t h e v a l l e y w a s full o f s m o k e a n d fire. S o m e o f the Doones were fighting our m e n at t h e D o o n e G a t e . T h e y saw t h e flames a n d t h e y r a n b a c k t o w a r d s t h e i r houses. My m e n b e g a n s h o o t i n g at t h e m . T h e r e was a long a n d terrible fight, b u t we killed t h e m all. Later, I h e a r d t h e story of t h e b a t t l e at Wizard's Cave. C a r v e r D o o n e was there w i t h some of his m e n . O u r m e n killed all t h e o t h e r s , b u t C a r v e r h i d i n t h e mine. T h e n he rode away on his horse. In the three battles of that night, t h e D o o n e s killed t e n o f o u r m e n . B u t m o r e t h a n forty D o o n e s died. I n the m o r n i n g , C a r v e r was t h e only o n e of t h e D o o n e m e n alive. 59

In t h e spring, L o r n a r e t u r n e d to Exmoor. S h e was happy, a n d I was h a p p y too. A n d Lorna h a d some news for u s . L o r d B r a n d i r h a d d i e d . J u d g e Jeffreys w a s t a k i n g care of her. A n d t h e judge h a d m a d e a decision. ' L o r n a m u s t marry Sir J o h n Ridd,' t h e judge h a d said. T h e y will b e m a r r i e d i m m e d i a t e l y ! ' T h e h a p p y day c a m e . I was going to marry Lorna at Oare Church. S h e c a m e i n t o t h e c h u r c h in a beautiful w h i t e dress. I h a d a l w a y s l o v e d L o r n a . A n d o n t h a t day, I l o v e d h e r m o r e t h a n m y life!

60

I looked i n t o Lorna's dark eyes. S h e smiled at m e . W e m a d e o u r m a r r i a g e p r o m i s e s , a n d a t last, L o r n a was m y wife. S h e w a s n o t L o r n a D o o n e , a n d s h e w a s n o t Lady L o r n a D u g a l . S h e w a s L a d y L o r n a R i d d . I t o o k h e r in my arms a n d I kissed her. B u t a t t h a t m o m e n t , s o m e b o d y fired a g u n . L o r n a fell d o w n a t m y f e e t a n d h e r r e d b l o o d r a n a c r o s s t h e floor. S h e t r i e d t o s p e a k . T h e n s h e w a s s i l e n t . I ran out of t h e c h u r c h . I was m a d w i t h anger. ' S o m e b o d y h a s killed my d e a r wife!' I s h o u t e d . ' A n d that person is going to die too!' My horse was outside t h e c h u r c h . I j u m p e d o n t o it and I rode o n t o t h e moor. I was going to find t h e murderer. W h o was he? I k n e w t h e truth. I was looking for C a r v e r D o o n e ! I r o d e fast, a n d s o o n I s a w C a r v e r o n h i s b i g b l a c k horse. H e was riding t o w a r d s t h e sea. B u t his h o r s e was tired. I p u l l e d a h e a v y b r a n c h from a t r e e a n d I r o d e on after h i m . Soon, Carver turned his horse and he rode into a little valley. 'There's no way o u t of t h e r e , ' I t h o u g h t . ' T h e r e is a bog at t h e e n d of t h a t valley. I will c a t c h h i m n o w ! ' I followed C a r v e r i n t o t h e valley, a n d s u d d e n l y he saw t h e b o g i n front o f h i m . H e s t o p p e d h i s h o r s e . T h e n h e t u r n e d a n d h e fired h i s g u n a t m e . T h e b u l l e t hit me, but it did n o t stop me. I rode straight towards Carver and I hit his horse with the branch. T h e horse a n d its r i d e r fell t o t h e g r o u n d . 61

I j u m p e d off m y h o r s e . C a r v e r g o t u p f r o m t h e g r o u n d . I h i t h i m across t h e face. He j u m p e d forward a n d he p u t his arms a r o u n d my body. He was very strong, b u t I was stronger. I p u t my h a n d s r o u n d his n e c k a n d I t h r e w h i m a w a y f r o m m e . H e fell t o t h e ground again. 'You a r e a m u r d e r e r ! ' I s h o u t e d . 'You k i l l e d my f a t h e r a n d n o w y o u h a v e k i l l e d m y wife. T h e k i l l i n g m u s t s t o p ! I'm n o t going to kill you, C a r v e r D o o n e . But you must leave E x m o o r today, a n d you must n e v e r c o m e back!' C a r v e r tried t o s t a n d u p , b u t his feet w e r e i n t h e b l a c k b o g . T h e soft g r o u n d b e g a n t o p u l l h i m d o w n .

62

C a r v e r fell o n t o h i s b a c k . I c o u l d n o t h e l p h i m . I could n o t save h i m . I w a t c h e d t h e t h i c k black bog pulling h i m down. After a m i n u t e , he h a d gone.

I r o d e b a c k t o t h e c h u r c h . M y m o t h e r w a s w a i t i n g for me. 'He's dead,' I told my mother. 'Carver killed Father and he killed Lorna. N o w C a r v e r is dead too. A n d n o w I w a n t to see my d e a r wife. S h e is d e a d , b u t s h e b e l o n g s to me.' ' J o h n , ' my m o t h e r said. ' L o r n a isn't dead. S h e is very badly injured. W i l l she die or will she live? I d o n ' t know. But you m u s t n o t see h e r n o w . S h e m u s t rest. She must n o t speak. But there's blood on your clothes, my son. A r e you injured too?' I looked d o w n at my c o a t a n d I saw t h e b l o o d . I r e m e m b e r e d Carver's bullet. Suddenly, I was w e a k a n d ill. A m o m e n t l a t e r , I fell t o t h e g r o u n d .

L o r n a w a s c l o s e t o d e a t h for m a n y d a y s . A n d for m a n y days, I lay ill in my b e d . But then, one beautiful morning, my dear Lorna walked i n t o m y r o o m . S h e kissed m e . A t t h a t m o m e n t , I was h a p p y a n d strong again. A n d t h e w o r l d was g o o d !

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Macmillan Heinemann English Language Teaching, Oxford Between Towns Road, Oxford A division of Macmillan Publishers Limited of Brunei Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS, United Kingdom Companies and representatives throughout the world ISBN 0 333 75225 2 This retold version for Heinemann ELT Guided Readers Text © J o h n Escott 1999 Design and illustration © Macmillan Publishers Limited 1999 H e i n e m a n n is a registered trademark of Reed Educational & Professional Publishing Limited

All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers. Acknowledgements: The publishers would like to thank Hulton Getty for permission to reproduce the picture on page 4. Illustrated by Kay Dixey Map on page 3 by Peter Harper Typography by Adrian Hodgkins Designed by Sue Vaudin Cover by Simon Marsden and Marketplace Design Typeset in 12/16pt Goudy Printed and bound in Spain by Mateu Cromo SA

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