Body Snatchers Foiled (a short tale) Traditional Cache
Body Snatchers Foiled (a short tale)
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This is a quick cache set in Ceres churchyard
Deliberately not set beside the oldest part of the churchyard because of the clear windows in this side of the church; hence anyone doing this cache on a Sunday between 11am and noon would have a captive audience in the church.
A church has stood on this elevated position since at least 1560 with the present building being built in 1806
In the graveyard are many interesting graves including a little sandstone building with a stone slabbed roof. This is the Lindsay Mausoleum and inside lie the mortal remains of the 20th Earl of Crawford and his young wife Jean.
The steeple was erected in memory of Joseph Spindle and is a tale worth repeating.
About the year 1840 many country churchyards were raided by medical students, known as the Resurrectionists, who wished to obtain bodies for the lecturers on anatomy in Edinburgh; so to prevent this sacrilege Ceres appointed a committee of men to defend their churchyard through the night.
At this time an old man died of cancer, and as on the day of his funeral a woman questioned the grave digger closely about the position and depth of the grave, the watchers each night prepared for a raid. For three nights nothing happened, but nevertheless on the forth night the watcher still felt nervous and strengthened himself with so much strong drink that he fell asleep at his post.
Oblivious of all sights and sounds, he did not hear a gig passing outside, nor see the students lift the body from the grave and put it into a sack. While they went to bring the gig closer, leaving the sack at the graveside, the next watchers arrived. Seeing the sleeping man they realised what had happened, and one of their number quickly substituted the sleeper for the dead man, then hid behind a stone to watch events.
The Resurrectionists returned, picked up their bundle and hurried to their cart. Suddenly a snore came from the sack, then kicks, then curses, so throwing it down the plunderers took to their heels and escaped. One of the watchers; Joseph Spindle fired his gun after them and so awoke the sleeping town. In his honour the steeple was erected.
This cache has been set as part of the Langspoon Event and as such cannot be logged untill Friday 3rd April.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Oruvaq fbzrbar jub qebjarq ng Prerf.