‘You bastard!’ Jacob jumped up from his seat and turned on the nearest officer standing behind him, who pulled out his truncheon and showed no mercy, as he beat Jacob relentlessly with it. The rest of the brothers pushed back their chairs and threatened the remaining officers, but got nowhere, as they were handcuffed and marched out of the kitchen.
‘Now, are you going to behave yourself and come without any bother, or are we to do the same to you?’ Fred Dobson stood up and looked at the ageing Scotsman and watched as Robert glowered at the state of affairs he was in.
‘You bastards always looked after your own. I knew, when our Jacob pinched those sheep, that you’d be knocking on our door. I should have told him to get rid of ’em. Bloody peelers.’ Robert spat at Fred and walked past him with his head held high. ‘They’ll not hold me for long, I’ll see to that.’
‘It’ll be at least a few months’ voyage, you old bastard, if you are to take a visit to Van Diemen’s Land or beyond, so hold your noise.’
Fred pushed Robert out of the farmhouse doorway, without even closing the door behind him. He’d been after the Baxter family for years, but had never had the evidence to nick them. Now, thanks to his old mate, he was going to have them off his patch for good. It was a blessing for one and all.
19
Adam stood in the public gallery of Keighley Assizes. He’d given his evidence against the Baxters and now the judge was passing sentence upon them. They all stood, looking rough and unkempt, in the witness box, shackled and unshaven, but still defiant. Their charges were as wide-ranging as theft, sheep-stealing, blackmail and counterfeiting. Since their arrest, many people had given accounts of harassment and theft by the Baxters, knowing that if they all banded together, the judge would have no option but to put the whole family behind bars for a good length of time.
The judge, in his white powdered wig and robes, leaned forward and looked at the motley group of offenders.
‘I have taken into consideration all the charges and evidence given to me by the people you have wronged, and by the police findings. You, as a family, have been taking advantage of the good people around you. You have robbed and cheated, not to mention defacing the Queen’s currency. I have no option but to give you the following sentences.’
The judge looked around him.
‘Arthur Baxter, I sentence you to six years’ hard labour. Charles Baxter, again six years’ hard labour, along with your brother James. George Baxter and Jacob Baxter, yours are more serious crimes: one of sheep-stealing and one of counterfeiting. I have no option but to send you to the colonies, where you will work as convicts until the government thinks appropriate. As for you, Robert Baxter, you were aware of all that went on under your roof, and at no time did you take any measures to keep your sons in line. In fact you encouraged them, from what I have seen. I therefore sentence you to ten years of hard labour.’
The judge rose and left, ignoring the cries and shouts of protest from the Baxters, as they were ushered out of the dock and downstairs into the holding cells, ready to be taken to serve their sentences.
‘Bastards!’ James Baxter shouted as he was dragged, kicking and shouting, out of the dock. ‘I’ll be back – you don’t get rid of me that easy.’
Adam looked around him. All the locals, and the people over whom the Baxters had held sway, were jubilant at the news of their demise. At the far end of the gallery he spotted a face he recognized. It was Reggie Ellwood and he was making his way over to Adam.
‘I hope you’ve got my lasses back? I knew the bastards wouldn’t be able to resist them. It was a good idea of mine to mark their horns.’ Reggie held out his hand and shook Adam’s as he patted him on the back.
‘Aye, the sheep are all back safe on the moor. Archie went for them the other day.’ Adam grinned. ‘How do you stand with your home now? The Baxters can’t demand rent from within jail.’
‘I don’t know. I’ve to see where I stand in a minute, with the judge in his chambers. No matter what is said, I can’t be any worse off than having to pay an extortionate rent to that family of thieves. You can be proud of playing a part in their downfall. Just look at the folk whose lives the Baxters were making hell. It’s a pity the lot of them aren’t being sent to Australia. Some of them will rear their ugly heads again, if they survive the back-breaking work in Halifax jail.’
‘I doubt old Robert will, but he should have thought about the consequences. Crime is a young man’s game, and he should have kept his nose clean.’ Adam shook his head.
‘How are you now? I heard that you nearly lost your life, and if it hadn’t been for that bonny maid of yours, you’d have been six foot under by now.’ Reggie walked with Adam out of the gallery and to the top of the stairs leading down to the courthouse entrance and the judge’s chambers.
‘Aye, if she hadn’t realized something was wrong, none of this would have happened and I’d be buried on top of the moor. I owe her everything. I’m good now; a little weak, but getting there.’ Adam stood and looked at Reggie, who had a twinkle in his eye as he thought about Lucy.
‘Tell her I was asking after her. I’d still like to walk out with her, despite
