introduction plus mysterious rifle

[R. Fiero]

umberto rossi wrote:
>  . . .
>It's the matter of the "sterloop". Obviously I am talking about M&D,
>and I know that the issue has been already discussed here (in 2001),
>because I have searched the online archives of the list.   . . .

Occurrences of "sterloop", or "silver" with "star" nearby and 
of "pentacle" in M&D:

sterloop
1. on Page 101:
"... to childhood homes.... Riding in and out of Town now may 
often be observ'd White Horsemen, carrying long Rifles styl'd 
"Sterloops," each with an inverted Silver Star upon the 
Cheek-Piece. When Mason and Dixon encounter Vrooms in the 
Street they bow, ..."
2. on Page 342:
"... is not the first Time the Surveyors have seen it,- at the 
Cape, usually right-side-up, it is known as the Sterloop,- a 
sort of good-luck charm, out in the Bush. But ev'ry now and 
then, mostly on days of treacherous Wind ..."
3. on Page 680:
"... settle here,- " Catfish with one huge hand slides the 
Rifle out and holds it up before him, noticing the Sterloop as 
if for the first time. He smiles without mirth at the 
Surveyors. "You think this is my Rifle? No! ..."

Silver Star
1. on Page 14:
"... is a couple of inches taller, sloping more than towering, 
wearing a red coat of military cut, with brocade and silver 
buttons, and a matching red three-corner'd Hat with some gaudy 
... be? Takes an odd bird to stay up peering at Stars all night r6 ..."
2. on Page 101:
"... and out of Town now may often be observ'd White Horsemen, 
carrying long Rifles styl'd "Sterloops," each with an inverted 
Silver Star upon the Cheek-Piece. When Mason and Dixon 
encounter Vrooms in the Street they bow, and pass, with each 
exchange lapsing ..."
3. on Page 114:
"... turn ever harsher with the days,- even at the Interest, 
yet a Bargain. Will you have as much to say, Star-Gazer, when 
it is your time?" Mason lets his Head drop, ... me, then,- are 
you still gazing at the Stars for Simpleton-Silver?" "You 
remember that?" "Why, you're not saying, Charlie, that there 
are too many Men in my Life for me to ..."
4. on Page 342:
"... and Dixon exchange a Look,- the Weapon depicted, Black 
upon White, is notable for the Device upon its Stock, a Silver 
Star of five Points, revers'd so that two point up and one 
down,- a sure sign of evil at work, universally ..."
5. on Page 428:
"... upon its Cheek-Piece, inverted, in Silver highly polish'd, 
shining thro' the Grain upon the Wrist and ... signature ... 
look ye, here it is again, your inverted Star, work'd into the 
Piercings, as a Cryptogram ... withal, this Brass is unusual,- 
pale, as you'd say,- high Zinc content, ..."

pentacle
1. on Page 429:
"... Work of God,- therefore, a stand-off,- what matter?" "But 
that small Devices," interjects Professor Voam, "may command 
out-siz'd Effects. This Pentacle, if valu'd for no more than 
the silent acts of Recognition it provokes, has more than 
earn'd back its Expense." ..."
2. on Page 680:
"... his frozen silence, Dixon. Catfish is packing a Lancaster 
Rifle, slung in a Scabbard upon his Saddle, with an inverted 
Pentacle upon the Stock, unmistakable in the Moon-light. Mason 
looks over, on the possibility that Dixon has a Plan, and sees ..."

===========
I believe that we have collectively decided that the author is 
a liar who tells stories that are not true.