Thresher
Autumn Fall
by
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Chapter 4 – Caught in the Gleys.
Katherine`s parents were away from Copley on business. Her passion for riding and curiosity persuaded her to order the ostler to saddle Pixie. Her father’s land extended west of the Jones` and Gomers’ farms apart from a short spur below the southwest boundary of Wychcombe Farm. She decided to ride south then east along a road parallel to the spur. It was early afternoon.
“I’ll return for tea,” she told Smith the ostler and spurred Pixie along a bridle path that ran south before joining the southern Bridport-Dorchester track below Copley and Wychcombe farmlands.
The high hedge hid her from Copley’s harvesters. A clear blue September sky backdropped golden sunshine irradiating sparkling autumn air. Adonis blue butterflies fluttered over the hedge flowers and a stray brown hare darted away from Pixie’s path. Horse and rider proceeded east, passing beyond the Copley spur and continued parallel to the southern boundary of Gomer land.
Muddy surface water seeped under a hedge and across the bridle path, flowing towards the Bredey. A rotting five-barred gate secured by a frayed rope to a mouldy, half-toppled post marked an entrance to Wychcombe land.
Katherine reined in then dismounted Pixie, loosed the rope and pulled on the gate, which proved too heavy for her to move. Should she proceed east then north along the bridle path towards Wychcombe Farm or try to approach the farm through this field unobserved? She viewed the height of the gate, mounted Pixie and rode her off the path onto scrubland about twenty yards away. Turning the mare, she tightened her grip on the reins and jabbed her heels into Pixie’s flanks.
As Pixie surged forward and galloped towards the gate, Katherine snuggled close to the mare’s withers. A yard or so from the gate, she looped the reins and slapped Pixie’s neck; the mare soared, her hind legs easily clearing the topmost bar. Pixie’s front hooves, then her hind legs disappeared up to knees and hocks into viscous blue mud, throwing Katherine bodily into the swamp. Screaming, she tried to rise but her legs were firmly gripped. Bubbles of gas burst, releasing a foul stench which made her retch. Both horse and rider began to sink. Panic punched a hole through her stomach.
“Help us!” she shouted at the top of her voice to no response.
“HELP!” she shrieked.
Pixie flung his head upwards and the reins hit Katherine. She twisted neck and back muscles to face Pixie and grabbed the reins. Katherine shortened them and, holding them tightly, slapped them hard against Pixie’s muzzle. Stung, the mare reared up again, lifting Katherine out of the bog; she fell backwards onto firmer ground, whilst Pixie threshed frantically as the gley swamp again closed in on her.
“Come on, Pixie!” Katherine shouted, heaving on the reins.
“What‘re you doing on our land?” growled a masculine voice.
Katherine turned around. A horseman’s cold blue eyes surveyed her.
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About the Book
Arson, machine destruction, a ruinous gambling debt, grand theft and forced land seizure, violent rivalry between neighbours, livestock mutilation, a secret love affair and a landowning family`s unknown enemy conspire to destroy the peace and stability of a West Dorset rural community. The family must unmask their evil adversary before they lose their livelihood and ultimately their lives. Set in early nineteenth century England against the recent end of the Napoleonic Wars, THRESHER presages the future upheavals heralded by that turbulent era.
About the Author
Noel Allsup, born and raised in Lancashire, England, studied (and also enjoyed athletics, cross country running and soccer) then graduated as a veterinary surgeon at Edinburgh University, working initially in general mixed animal practice in Southern England, then specialising in the prevention and treatment of diseases of large domesticated animals. His busy career took him to three continents including government assignments in Brazil and India and accompanied flights with animals to European, Middle Eastern and African countries. A motivation to write fiction led to a BA(Hons.) degree at Birmingham University, then, assisted by his daughter Caroline, a graphic designer, published THE TUMP, a childrens` story book in 2008. He is married to Olive, a wool sculptress, they have have four grown-up daughters and reside in Worcestershire, England. His interests include serious country walking, classical music and, of course, reading and writing.