The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-05-04
. CHAPTER II.

The night was dark and still. A cloud
to westward had blotted out half the
stars in heaven. Dirck Cuyler, going
home over the old stage road, walked
with slow, thoughtful step
He was thinking of her as he went on.
With the thought, that hard bearded
mouth of his softened. A mist, as Of
tender tears, rose, and over spread his
eyes. A muttered word of thanksgiving
trembled on his tongue. Barbara-Bar-
bara! How he loved her. There is no
life but Love. Through her this strug-
Cling and embittered man had first begun
to live. So he went on for while. The
old wooden bridge was left behind him.
1t was the lights of HammePs tavern
that 5linked in his face now. The last
stage, laundering up the road behind,
startled him suddenly from his dream.
Dirck Cuyler went up to the tavern
door. He walked like man in his
sleep-like one that some resistless fate
beckons forward against his will. The
light from the open door of the bar-room
slanted long and low across the weather.
beaten piazza-across the group Of men
lounging about, smoking stumpy black
pipes, and droning of the new mills upon
the river. g
Dirck Cuyler came forward and stood
in this opening.
The men, on the piazza looked at him
curiously-at the tall figure, like a Her
cules, at the strong face, wearing always
a look of high blood. 1t was the voice
of Hammel himself that broke suddenly
through the smoky light of the doorway.
''Halloo, Cuyler,' it chirped cheerily
sis that you? Now, what's the trouble
about the new mills? You've brought
the Basil pack down upon you, eh ? The
old Colonel threatens trouble?' Dirck' s
face put on hard look. The men upon
the piazza watched it furtively.
LET him-that is ALL" he answered
under his breath.
"Well, talk of the devil" said
Kammel
There was thud of hoofs upon the
beaten ground. Dlrck looked up.
Not three yards distant, at the very
door, stood a roam horse, reelling with
hard riding, but still champing at his
shining bit. Out from the saddle, as
Birck looked, man leaped to the ground
and flung past him into the bar-room =
This man was old, gray, richly dressed
He carried himself like Spanish hidal-
90. The face was strongly marked,
grizzled, insolent. TWAS Colonel Basil.
He went up to the bar.
"a draught of brandy-somethin2
that will run like fire. Dirck Cuylel
heard him say.
He flung down his glass. He turned
back along the passage. just outside
the door, the two men met face to face
A muttered oath dropped from Col.
onel Basils lips. He stood looking al
the other. There was something almost
awful in the intensity of his fierce and
fiery gaze. He drew hack, at last PASS,
ing bis hand across his eyes, hurriedly
'Dirck Cuyler.." he pronounced, q
harsh intonation rising and swelling
through the thickness of his voice.
"The same," answered Dirck.
"Sir, this is well l have been look
ing for you" ..ie ."#r
''Sir, am here H.r a....
Colonel Basil made Il stride nearer
and dropped hand on Cuylers shoul
der. As he stood looking up at him
for he was much the shorter of the two
over his face passed a sudden rallor-
the muscles of his sunken mouth con.
tracted.
"a word with you," said Colonel Ba.
sill.
"As many as you like" Dirck ans.
wered, with quiet scorn. Fi- f
The hand ON Dirck's shoulder shook
like leaf
'What have you been doing down
yonder on the river?' he began, furi-
ously. WHO are you that you dare i'll
terfere with work of mine? Hark We,
sir there is something to settle between
us. Let us talk it over like men," Dirck
quietly resisted the hand that sought to
draw him into the tavern.
Colonel Basil, our quarrel is no Sc
ofet. Whatever is said, let it he said
here These men know well that we
are not friends "F2% "l 9ia~ alf F',
e What I have to say" answered Ba.