BY THE CALLING OF THE WHAUPS
BY JOHN IRVING Clarke
If you conspire with the devil himself, then all you can do afterwards is run. These were the words that pounded through my head. Run, run, run. And that’s what I’d do. I’d leave Black Scaur Farm, take Bess, and with the darkness before dawn masking our flight, together we’d cross the border into England.
It would’ve been too easy to track me to Edinburgh, it had to be England, but not Newcastle where an English army was stationed. Where then? The pale disc moon which now dragged me to and fro, was leading me to Carlisle, where the Jacobites, if not my conscience, could be given the slip.
Bess was a good horse, she would be my only company for a full day’s ride across a land still shrouded in lawlessness, a land which held portents around every corner. Unseen dogs barked at our approach, whaups skittered across fields trilling their ridicule before stopping to point their long, curved beaks in accusation. In the high trees, hoodies croaked out a list of charges to be laid against me: embezzler, horse thief and worse, charges which could lead to the end of a rope. Incrimination hung in the air, the long road lay ahead and the sky darkened.
Early year snow had turned to dirty slush and Carlisle was a forlorn city. Fear hung like the grey smoke over the rooftops. For all my planning, the Jacobites, daunting Highlanders who were commandeering more by their reputation than action, had arrived and taken over without any opposition. Tales of their un-Christian deeds were said to infect the teller but not being able to speak from any peak of virtue anyway, my silence was assured. Bess took me up the city gate with a slow tread.
“Are you looking to serve?”
An ill-dressed sentry had stepped forward from a huddle of bored looking men. I barely understood what he said but I had no wish to prolong our conversation. “I have business at the castle.”
In truth, I had little desire to go the castle, it had the most dismal appearance of this God-forsaken city, but I was banking on the castle having stables and horses and somewhere I could find shelter and rest for Bess. But now the other men were picking up their slovenly postures, gathering like hungry dogs at the prospect of food.
“And what business would that be?”
“The business to which I have to attend.”
“And our business is to keep an eye open for spies.” He turned and smirked to his mates. “Are you a spy? Are you armed?”
“I’m not a spy.” I could be adamant in my denial on that score, but I carried my dirk in amongst the pleats of my plaid.
“Get down off the horse. We need to do a search.”
The men were closing in now, sensing at least a bit of late in the day fun but I could not consent to a search.
“I shall do no such thing.”
“Well, in that case we’ll have to get you down.”
I tugged sharply on Bess’s reins and made her rear. The men retreated but it only bought me a little time as they circled again keeping a wary eye on Bess’s hooves. Their ill-assortment of weapons was raised and the leading man made a grab for Bess’s halter. I leaned forward and swung as forceful a blow as I could muster, a wild swipe which missed its target. Unbalanced, I had no defence against a great clout which struck me on the shoulder from my blind side and dumped me on the slush-covered stone kerb. I gasped with the impact of landing but I knew I had to regain my feet quickly despite the pain that racked my ribcage. But my chief adversary pinned me back down on the kerb, his stinking breath reeking over my face. I was surely lost, for in that moment he knew. Confusion turned to realisation as the truth dawned and he was about to announce it to everyone else.
“Hey!”
But he could say no more.
“What is the meaning of this?” The sudden shout took us all by surprise. Without any of us noticing, a gentleman had appeared from the city side of the gate. “This is an outrage, and no way to treat a guest of mine!” And his next words
brought about immediate compliance. “If I have a mind to tell the Duke of Perth, or indeed the Prince himself, you will have to bear the burden of these actions.”
I rose to my feet reaching painfully for Bess’s reins but I knew that the well-dressed gentleman who had arrived out of nowhere, summoning indignation on my behalf, had been my saviour. The men slunk back against the wall of the gateway fearful of what they had brought upon themselves but the gentleman was now more concerned about my welfare. He offered his arm to me for assistance and together we led Bess to an inglorious entry into the city.
Having restored some order to myself and settled down Bess, I was obliged to tell my story, although it was a neatly filleted tale that I told. My gentleman saviour listened with intent and not a little amusement. There I was looking for stabling for Bess and a place to work when everyone else had long since fled.
“But I can see that you’re good with horses. Get yourself along to Highmore House. It’s kept by Mr Highmore himself. He won’t see you this late in the day, but go to the stables and ask for Thomas. He’s a good lad, not much older than yourself, I’m thinking, but he’ll look after you. Take good care to tell him that you arrive with my recommendation: Dr James Stratton.”
“Now then, Joe. So, you think you can deal with horses eh? And Dr Stratton gives you a recommendation?” Thomas looked at me as though doubtful. “Well I reckon that’s good enough for me.” I knew I should have been grateful but I also knew he was still sizing me up. “There’s not much meat on those bones though, is there?”
“I’m planning to lead the horses, not carry them.”
“That so? Well, I tell you what, there’s a spare stall for your horse, settle her down and give her some feed, then report back here. There’s a couple of horses I want you to look at.”
He was sizing me up and he was about to test me out. I’d spent most of the day riding, I’d had an encounter with some unruly Jacobites on sentry duty, I ached everywhere and I was done in for the day, but if Thomas Graham wanted to test me, then so be it. He had a lively air about him, a likeability, and he strode around those stables with the confidence of a man who knew his place. His business was horses and that suited me, let him test me as much as he wanted, I would meet any such challenge.
When I reported back to him, I knew he’d been watching me all along, unsaddling Bess, brushing her down, placing a blanket over her and then supplying the water and feed she’d earned that day. “Well done, Bess. Well done. You’ve done us both proud today.”
The two horses he wanted me to see were in a separate stable. He led me into the darkened stalls and pointed them out. One was a magnificent grey, although some would describe her as white, and the other was a skittish dun.
“So, what do you reckon to these two, Joe?”
They were both impressive animals although totally opposed in temperament.
“Let them out, can you? Walk the grey around the yard.”
If Thomas thought I was being a little forward, he didn’t object. He untied the horse and led her out of the stall, walked her around the yard two or three times and then
returned her to the stall.
“And now the dun.”
“Oh no, I’ve taken my turn. You lead her.”
This then, was the challenge being laid down. Before I got anywhere near to untying her, she was whinnying and stamping. She was trying to lay down the law. I edged myself as far to the front of the stall as possible and approached her face on. I was in no hurry; I could take as long as she wanted.
“Now, what’s the problem, eh? What’s the problem?”
I talked softly to her, reaching up and brushing my hand down her nose. These were unsettling times and the horse had sensed it. It was time to talk and reassure.
“What a fine horse you are.” I continued to stroke her nose and lead her out of the stall into the yard where she showed just how fine she was as I walked her around the farthest edges of the yard. As for Thomas’ challenge, I reckon I met it well enough.
“Well done, Joe. She can be a right handful and you made it look easy.”
“They’re both fine horses. Whose are they?”
“You don’t know?” He laughed at me. “We are entertaining some fine guests. These horses belong to Prince Charles himself.”
It was true, I knew very little but I didn’t want to confess my ignorance. I let Thomas tell me more about Prince Charles and his army. They were marching to London. They’d pulled a fast one over the King’s army which was stuck in Newcastle, unable to cross the country because of the ice and snow. They were marching to London because the Prince was going to claim the crown for his father – the rightful king.
“I don’t know how much longer they’ll stay. It’s our job to look after the horses, so what d’yer reckon?”
“They’re both fine horses,” I knew I was repeating myself but I was much happier talking about horses than marching on London. “The dun needs a lot of attention. Let her see who cleans out her stall and provides her feed. Talk to her while she’s being brushed. She’s strong, very strong, but she’ll soon respond and serve her master well.”
“And the grey?”
“Another fine horse, but she’s exhausted and she’s carrying her back leg a little. Go easy on her for as many days as you’ve got. Give her regular but small feeds. Walking around the yard will be sufficient exercise.”
“Well, Joe, you know your horses.”
If I thought we were finished for the day, I was wrong. We did all manner of sweeping and clearing, we tidied and organised tackle and long after the lamps in the stables had been lit, we worked to produce the finest yard in all England. We didn’t stop until Thomas sensed it was time and a boy from the kitchen brought us some mutton pie and a hunk of bread. It was the most welcome supper I’d had in days.
“We’ll be getting some hot water tonight.” Thomas was finishing his pie. “We need a good wash after all of this. We’ve got blankets, we’ll bed down over there.”
It would be warm enough and comfortable in the stables, I had no doubt of that, but I would just have to plead exhaustion myself and retire immediately.
For once, I didn’t need to pretend. My whole body ached; my shoulder and hip were constant reminders of the welcome I had received in Carlisle. But as I crawled under my blanket, I realised how Thomas had added sweetness to my bitter reception. He was keen to show off his position as chief stable hand but he was generous in his acknowledgement of my contribution. He was building up both of us.
“A fine afternoon’s work, Joe. The pair of us, a fine piece of work.” And what’s more, I glowed in his praise.
The water arrived in a relay of pails and it was poured into a half barrel. Thomas slipped out of his woollen jacket and breeches and his slender, white body and limber legs shone in the flickering dark of the stable. He cupped his hands together to dowse himself with the water then ducked his head in the barrel and pulled it out again making a great splash. Despite myself, I watched the rivulets of water run down his neck and spine to the hollow of his back and buttocks. In and out of the shadows, his muscular body was occasionally glimpsed like a salmon forging through spray. ...
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