The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1888-12-01


to say to its master, "Your joke IL . very cruel
onep
However, the adjutant seemed sincere In Offering
his watch. Fortunate did not stretch out his
hand, but said, with bitter smile, "Why do you
joke with me5"
"By heaven am not joking, only tell me
where Giannetto IL, and the watch Is yours"
Fortunate smiled incredulously, and fixing his
black eyes on those Of the adjutant he tried to
read there how much TO believe of what he sAid.
"May lose my epauletsl" cried the adjutant, aft
l do not give you this watch, provided you do as
ask. Ny men are witnesses and cannot retract my
promise"
AS he spoke he held the watch nearer, 80 that II
almost touched the child's face. Fortunate showed
plainly in his face the struggle in his soul between
covetousness and the respect due TO hospitality.
His naked breast heaved violently, and he seemed
half sufocated. However, the watch continued 20
turn AMI twist about and sometimes struck the end
of his Finally little by little his right hand
rose slowly toward the watch, the ends of his fn-
gers touched It, and he felt its weight before the
adjutant dropped the end of the chain. The dial
plate was blue, the case newly polished, and
in the sun, 1t shone like fire. The temptation was
too strong!
Fortunate raised his left hand slowly, and
pointed with his left thumb his left shoulder
at the heap Of straw. The adjutant instantly
derstoOd his gesture. He let go the end OF the
chain, and Fortunate felt himself whole posses
sor Of the watch. He arose with the agility of
deer, ran few steps from the heap of hay, which
the soldiers Immediately began to overturn. II
was not long before q man. covered with blood,
poniard In hand, crawled out; but as he tried to
rise to his feet his wounded thigh did not allow
him to stand erect. lie fell and the adju threw
himself upon him and seized his stiletto, and he
was soon securely tied, despite his struggles.
Lying on the ground, and bound mp like fsggot
Giannetto turned his head toward Fortunate and
Missed "Son of dogp The child tossed back the
fve-franc piece Giannetto had given him, feeling
that he had ceased to deserve it. but the outlaw
n At. al
TO the adjutant:
any dear Gambia cannot walk; you will be
forced to carry me to town."
"You ran quicker than . squirrel awhile ago.
replied the cruel conqueror; "but be easy am 90
glad to have caught.you that could carry you for
a league my back without fatigue. AS for the
rest, comrade, we will make you q litter out of
some branches and your cloak, and at Crescole's
farm we shall find horses"
"All right" said the prisoner, "put also little
straw on the litter, that may lie easier"
While the soldiers were employed some In max
ing kind of litter out of branches and the others
in dressing Giannetto's wound, Mateo Falcone and
his wife suddenly appeared at the turn of path
which led to the maquis. The woman walked
slowly, bending painfully under the weight OF an
enormous sack of chestnuts, while her husband
stroled by her side, carrying only his two guns,
In his hand the other In his shoulder belt for
1t IL unworthy OF Corsican to carry any burden
but his arms.
As he caught sight of the soldiers, his first idea
was that they came TO arrest him. But why? Had
Mateo any trouble with the law2 No; he enjoyed
good reputation but he was also Corsican and
9 mountaineer, and there few such who, In search
ing their memory, cannot recall some peccadilloes
such gun-shots, dagger thrusts and other like
trifes. Mateo, more than most men, had q clear
conscience in this respect, for more than ten years
he had aimed his gun at man. But he was
however, prudent, and he took position TO make
q brave defense, If necessary.
"Wife," said he to Giuseppe, "put down your
sack and be ready"
She obeyed Immediately. He gave her the gun
from his shoulder belt, which might cramp his
movements. He then loaded the one he held, and
advanced slowly toward his house, skirting the
trees which bordered the road, ready, at the least