Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-05-12

gentleman
Il have said no such thing. have
simply answered your own questions.
But you have intimated that my
conduct was not gentlemanly'
Yes, sir. ] have plainly said so.
'Ah, now | have il. | shall demand
satisfaction for that. You shall find
sir that no one calls my character in
question with impunity,'
Then, my dear sir, said Legrand,
why will you not endeavor to have
some respect for the feelings of 9th
ers {?
Ihave, sir, all that is necessary
Do you suppose that | care for your
sickenihg, boyish, soft-pated piety
Not a bit of it. You have insulted me.
First at the table-for actions speak
as we'll as words. Your leaving as you
did, and thus interrupting me in the
midst of narrative, was a gross in
suit, and you meant it as such.
you are mistaken, sir
you lie, sir ! exclaimed Savage,
now fairly enraged at the young mans
perfect GOODNESS. You did mean it as
an insult. Now, sir. you must answer
for 1t. Will you take the sword, or
pistol ?
Neither, sir. Let me be in peace
that is all | ask.
You won't fight, eh ?
No, sir
Now will you ?
AS Savage thus spoke, he struck the
young man with the fiat of his hand
upon the cheek.
Now will you fight ?
Walter Legrand turned as pale as
death, but not nerve nor muscle
moved. In moment more the blood
returned to his face, and he looked the
brutal man calmly in the eye.
Captain Savage he at length said,
in SLOW, ttomb.like voice, 4 cannot
fight you nor have l any wish to do it.
II you feel happier after what you have
done, you are welcome to the emotion.
You may think my course strange
one, but have no explanation to
make
Coward !! hissed the brute.
Again the deadly pallor spread over
the young mans face, and l could see
that the nails of his fingers were fairly
eating into the palms of his hands. He
was silent for moment, and when he
spoke again, 1t was in the same calm,
strange tone
Captain Savage, leave ME, sir. |
have harmed you not, and now | am in
the possession of my senses. Leave me,
or l may be made madman.'
Savage was upon the point Of saying
more, when interfered.
Captain, said |, let this subject
drop now You are wholly in the
fault, and | will see the young man
aoused no more.
DO you interfere?' exclaimed Say
age. turning madly towards me.
Il do, | returned, 'and | mean what
| say. I command here, and you will
be wise if you obey
And suppose l do not choose to
obey p
i think it will be an uncomfortable
experiment for you to try was the re-
ply.
Now | owe to Dame Nature some
thanks for having given me a frame
more powerful in its physical mould
than she ordinarily bestows upon her
mortal children, and long command of
spirits in the shape of refrac-
tory seamen, had given me not only a
decision of character, but had written
the fact pretty plainly on my counten
ance. Savage looked at me moment,
and then he said, with rather chop
fallen expression of countenance
%, very well. You are captain, and
| suppose it would be open mutlny to
resist. And with that he walked
away.
Now to tell the truth, l hoped the
fellow would have shown some more
resistance, for made up my mind to
knock him down and put him in irons,
but l was disappointed; though, upon
more calm reflection, of cou1se was
glad affairs turned as they did.
This event cast sort of cloud over
the spirits of the passengers for several
days, and though Savage refrained
from most of his profanity, yet I could
see that not only he, but others, looked
upon Walter Legrand as a coward.
The young man himself seemed to no
tice it, for he was taciturn and sedate,
and | often noticed that his eyes
dropped before the gaze of Others and
that his lips trembled.
Early one morning land was report
ed upon the larboard bow. | knew it
to be the Bourbon Island. The wind
was very light, the ship not making
more than three knots with her royals