The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-11-17

WHICH lldu TclDdlucu open SlllCc llle
flight of the other agent, he jumped
backward just 81 Langlade was upon
} him, and slammed the door. 1t was
a retreat, but it was an honorable re-
treat-it was no rout. Langlade was
alone in his cell
Meantime the guard of soldiers, which
is posted in every Jail, had armed, and
was marching to the double cell. 1t was
evident that terrible conflict was about
to take place. The convict would GER
tainly be vanquished, after all, by the
number of his adversarics, but it was
certain he would defend himself with
energy. In his vigorous hands every
sort of a weapon would prove II fatal in
strumcnt of defence. Besides, he might
Jump on the first soldier who entered
the cell, di5arm MIN, retreat behind the
barricale, and keep the enemy at bay
for hours. The soldiers, headed by the
two agents, had reached the door of
the double cell, and were about to en-
ter it.
Nibcrt suddenly made his appear
ancc.
lie had heard an unusual noise, had
made inquiry, and was told what was
taking place. lie said to himself, 4"
ought to have expected as much. 1t is
my fault, after all. 1t is certain Lang
lade has some right to complain. l have
not kept my promise strictly. 1t is my
duty to repair the i'll have done and to
prevent the efftlsion Of blood"
Brave and resOlute rs he was, he
could not hesitate long. He made haste
and joined the soldiers and agents, and
said to them, rs the agent was about
turning the key in the door, Let me
) go in; I'll settle everything"
"What are you going to 90, NJ. vi
bert? ?" asked the older agent.
az don't know; but begin by sending
the guard away, beg of you. 1t is not
worth while to have the soldiers killed
by this fellow. | mastered him this
morning, and dare say shall master
him now. If | fail it will be time
enough then tosummon the guard. You
: know the superintendent is always glad
= when you abstain from violent meas
; ures."
"Truc. Our orders arc to be as gentle
as possible. But if you could imagine
, the state Of fury in which this scoun-
) drcl is, you would despair of producing
any effect"
| alt costs nothing to try"
/ "Iou risk your life"
D 81 had better risk mine than risk the
t life Of all these people,"
"-i5 you please. Would you have
1 me go in with you""
l "NO, it Is useless
81 shall remain here, then, to go to
G your assistance if necessary"
3 Nibcrt opened the door and entered
. the double cell.
; Langladr, who had heard the clattcr
. Of muskcts and the murlnur of voices,
: expected to be attacked, and he had
: taken refuge behind his barrcade. As
soon as he saw Nibcrt his fury became
e frenzy. He made one leap, jumped on
Nibcrt, took him in his arms, and throw
| ing him rs one throWsa bail, tossed him
| 10 the extremity of the double cell.
Nibert fell on his knees, rose, brushed
. his pantaloons with his elbow to remove
the dust for in the gravest circumstan-
) ce5 he was Il particular NAM, and with
r out waiting for Langlade to Iall on him,
he crossed his arms and went up to him
: and bawled in his face, " You are Il cow
= ardw
l And you are iiar!"
"Why do you call me q liar?" asked
Nibcrt, without lowering his voice in
the least
. Because you promised me | should
see her, and have not seen her yet"
: "Shr is there, behind that door. They
- are only waiting for you to be calm tc
| show her in"
"But she will not enter here. / shall
e only see her behind that grating. Thi,
| is not what you promised mc.n
= 81 made you no promise whatever
# upon the subject. l dare you tell me ]
: promised you should see her at you
side"
II "Wc did not speak of that, but"
o "NOu ought to have spoken of il
It You ought to have expressed all you
c conditions. | couldn't possibly divin
your wishes. / have faithfully KEEP
n every one of the promises | made you
X have had even your handouts take
of. If you had not free use of you
= hands, you would not have been able t
II damage this cell, and treat me rs COW
t. ardly rs you have Gone."
CoWardly?"
l. "Ies, coWardly! ! am small, 20
= are tall. lam weak, you are strong.
:, entered here alone and marmcd, t
o, prevent sangunary struggle in whic
|, you most certainly would have bee
e vanquished, and you leaped on me liI
is Il wild beast. Isn't that cowardly?"
T. "Will they bring Solcil Couchan
r hcro:" asked Langlad2, already n grea
ID deal calmcr than he had been. "Ma
y | see her without being separated frol
her by this grating""
!, "No. NoI will see her and talk t
le her through these iron bars. She mad
this request"
t, "Ah! these iron bars are provided Il
d her request. Why is that"'
l. 81 dare say because she is afraid to b
l. near yod. Doe, that aStonish you:"
j. "lf -hc is afraid, il is because sh