Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-12-20

the path, 10y compass. Dutton took the COM
pass and one or other of us three carried his
proportion of the treasure; | promise YOU he
Kept sharp eye to his rear, for It was like
tho mans soul that he must trust us with.
inc thlcNet was as close as a bush; the ground
very 'reachcrouS, so that we often sunk in
The most terrifying manner, and must 20
round about the heat besides. was sitting,
the air singulorly heavy, and the singing in
scots ahounded in such mvriad5 that each of
us walked under his own cloud 1t has often
been commented on how much better gentle
mon of birth endure fatigue than persons Of
tho rabbla; so that walking officers, who must
tramp in the dirt beside their men, shame
them by their constnucy. This was well to
be observed in the present instance, for here
were Ballantrae and |, two gentlemen of the
highest breeding, on the one hand, and on
the other, Grady, common mariner, and
man nearly giant in physical strength. The
case of Dutton is not in point, for confess he
did as well as any of u.s.
But as for Grady, he began early to lament
his case, Tailed in the rear, refused to carry
buttons packet when it came his turn
clamored continually for rum (of which we
had too little, and at last even threatened us
from behind with a cooked pistol, unless we
should allow him rest Ballantrae would
/
with him the other way; and we made a
stop and eat meal. 1t seemed to benefit
Grady little he was in the rear again at
once, growing and bemoaning his lot: and
at last, by some carelessness, not having fol-
lowed properly in our tracks, stumbled into
deep part of the slough where it was mostly
water, gave some very dreadful screams, and
before we could come TO his aid, had sunk
along with his booty. His fate and above all
these screams of his appalled, us to the soul;
yet it was on the whole fortunate circum-
stance and the means of our deliverance
For it moved Dutton to mount into tree,
whence he was able to perceive and to show
me, who had climbed after him, high piece
of the wood which was a landmark for the
path. He went forward the more careessly.
L must suppose; for presently we saw him
sink little down, draw up his feet and sink
again, and so twice. Then he turned his
foce to Us, pretty white.
LEND a hand" said he, 81 am in bad
place.
81 don't know about that, " says Bailantrae,
standing still.
Dutton broke out into the most violent
oaths, sinking a little lower as he did, so
that the mud was nearly to his waist; and
plucking pistol from his belt, "Help me,n
he cries. 'or die and be damned to your
Nay" says Ballantrae, II did but Jest
am coming" And he set down his own
PACKET and buttons, which he was then car
rylng. DO not venture near till we see if
you are needed, " said he to me. and went
forward alone to where the man was begged
He was quiet now, though he still held the
pistol; and the marks of terror in his coun-
tenance were very moving to behold.
For the Lords sake says he, 'look
sherp."
Ballantrae was now got close up. keep
still, " says he, and seemed to consider; and
then Reach out both your hands,"
button laid down his pistol and so waterv
was the top surface that it went clear out of
sight; with an oath he stopped to snatch 1t.
and as he did 50, Ballantrae leaned forth and
stabbed him between the shoulders. Up went
bis hands over his head, know nat whether
with the pain or to ward hinlse, and the
next moment he doubled forward in the mud.
BaiIantrae was already over the ankles, but
he plucked himself out and came back TO me.
where l stood with my knees shifting one an
other. THE devil take you, Francs' SAYS
he, - believe you are a half-hearted fellow
after all. l have only done justice on a
pirate. And here we are quite clear Of tne
Sarah! Who shall now say that we have
dipped our hand in any Irregularities,
assured him he did me injustice; but nv
sense Of humanity was SO much affected by
the horridness Of the fact that could scarce
find breath to answer with.
Come said he, you must be moro re
eolved. The need for this fellow ceased when
: he had shown you where the path ran, and
you cannot deny l would have been daft to
let slip SO fair an opportunity
! We struck the path without further mis-
n -pTfl nv and tl,n
down, came to the edge of the morass
: We We're too weary to seek far: on some
dry sands, still warm with the days sun, and
close under a wood Of pines We lay down and
were instantly plunged in sleep.
We awaked the next morning very early
and began with a sullen spirit a conversation
That came near to end in blows We vera
now cast on shore in the southern provinces
thousands OF miles from any French settle
ment; dreadful journey and thousand
periis lay IN front of us; and sure, If there
was ever need for amity, it was in such nm
hour. must suppose that Ballsntrae had
suffered in his sense of what is truly polite.
indeed, and there is nothing strange in the
Aiea, after the sea wolves we had consortsd |
With SO long, and as for myself he fubbed |
- off unhandsomely, and any gentleman
would have resented his behavior
Iolu lin In WnaJ ilSnt L saw his con- |
duct: he walked little off, following to M |
braid him, and at last he stopped me with his
hand.
! Frank" says he, "you know what we
swore, and yet there is no oath invented
would induce me to swallow such expressions |
If did notregard you with sincere affection. |
1t is impossible you should doubt me there.
have given proofs. button had to take be-
cause he knew the pass, and Grady because
Dutton would not move without him; but |
what call was there TO carry you along? You |
are a perpetual danger to me with your
cursed Irish tongue. By rights you should |
now be In irons in the cruiser And YOU |
quarrel with ms Ike baby for some
trinkets!n
| considered this one of the most unhand-
some speeches ever made; and indeed to this
day can scarce reconcile it to my notion of
a gentleman that was my friend. retorted
upon him with his Scotch accent, of which
he had not 50 much as some, but enough to
be very barbarous and disgusting, as | told
him plainly, and the affair would have gone