Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-04-18

of the thicket where his hunter lGS. 81
could not be sure he saw me-" Mountain said |
"hc Just looked my way like man with his
mind made up, and all the courage ran out of
me like rum out of a bottle" And presently,
when the master looked away again, and APP
peared to resume those medtations in which
be had sat immersed before the traders com
ing Mountain skunk stealthily back and re-
turned to seek the help of his companions.
And now began the chapter of surprises,
for the scout had scarce informed the others
of his discovery, and they were yet prepar
ing their weapons for rush upon the fugi-
tive. when the man himself appeared in their
midst, walking openly and quietly, with his
hands behind his back.
"Ah. men, says he, on his beholding them.
Here is a fortunate encounter. Let us get
back to camp
Mountain had not mentioned his own weak
mss or the masters tisconcerting gaze upon
the thicket. so that with all the rest his re-
turn appeared spontaneous For all that, a
hubbub arose: oaths few, fists were shaken,
and guns pointed.
"Let lis get back to camp, said the master
81 have an explanation to make but it must
be laid before you all. And in the mean
while l would put up these weapons, one Of
which might very easily go Off and blow away
your hopes of treasure. | would not kill"
says he, smiling, the goose with the golden
eggs"
The charm of his superiority once more
triumphed; and the party, Ill no particular
order, set off on their return. BY the way,
be found occasion to get a word or two apart
with Mountain.
you are clever fellow and bold" says
be, ''but I am not so sure that you are doing
yourself Justice ! would have you to con
slider whether you would not do better, ay,
and safer. to serve me instead of serving so
commonplace rascal as Mr.. Harris. Con
slider of it, he concluded, dealing the man
gentle tap upon the shoulder, land don't be
in haste. Dead or alive, you will find me an
ill man to quarrel with"
When they were come back to the camp
where Harris and Pinkerton stood guard over
Secundra, these two ran upon the master
like viragoes and were amazed out of measure
when they were hidden by their comrades to
''stand back and hear what the gentleman
had to say The master had not hinched be-
fore their onslaught, nor at this proof Of the
ground be had gained did he betray the least
sutiicency.
do not let us be in haste says he. "Meat
first and public speaking after
With that they made hasty meal, and rs
soon as it was done the master leaning on
addressing himself to each, except Harris,
finding for each with the same exception
some particular fattery. He called them
bold honest blades" declared he had never
seen a more Jovial company, work better
done, or pains more meirily supported.
"Nell, then says he, "some one asks me
why the devil l ran away But that is
scarce worth answer, for think you all know
pretty well. But you know only pretty well.
That is point | shall arrive at presently
and be YOU ready to remark II when 1t comes.
There is traitor hcre-a double traitor. |
will give YOU his name before | am done, and
let that suffice for now. But here comes
some other gentleman and asks me Why in
the devil l came backn Well, before l an
swer that question I have one to put to you.
II was this cur here, this Harris, that speaks
Hindoostanee7' cries he, rising on one knee
and pointing fair at the mans face, with a
gesture indescribaby menacinS, and when he
had been answered in the affirmative, "Ah!'
says he, then are all my suspicious verified,
aud | did rightly to come back. Now, men,
hear the truth for the first time" Thereupon
he launched forth in long story, told with
extraordinary skill how he had all along sus-
pected Harris, how he had found the con
firmaton of his fears, and how Harris must
have misrepreseuted what passed between
Secundra and himself.
At TINS point he made a bold STROKE witt
excellent effect. Il suppose" says he, ''yor
think you are going shares with Harris
] suppose you think you will see to thai
yourselves; you would naturally not think 81
fiat a rogue could cozen you. But have
care! These half idiots have a sort of Gun
ming, as the skunk has its stencil: and it ma!
be news to you that Harris has taken care o
himself already. Yes, for him the treasure
is all money in the bargain. You music tine
IL or go starve. But he has been paid before
hand; my brother paid him to destroy me
look ct MIN, if you doubt-look at him grin
ming and gulping, a detected thietM Thence
having made this happy impression, he ex
planned how he had escaped, and though
better of it, and at last concluded to com
back, lay the truth before the company, anc
take his chance with them once more; per
suaded, as he was, they would instantly de
pose Harris and elect some other leader
There is the whole TRUTH said he; IAN,
with one exception put myself entirely il
your hands. What is the exception. Their
he sits, he cried, pointing once more to Har
ris; "a man that has To die! Weapons an
conditions are all one to me; put me face T.
face with him, and if you give me nothing
bat a stick, in five minutes will show you
SOD of broken callion fit for dogs to roll III.
they had listened in almost perfect silence
but the freight scarce permitted any one t
judge, from the look of his neghbors, wit
what result of persuasion or conviction. In
deed, the master had set himself in the bright
est place, and kept his face there, to be til
center of mems eyes, doubtless on a profoun
calculation. Silence followed for a while
and presently the whole party became il
volvod in disputation, the master lying o
his back, with his hands knit under his hee
aud one knee flung across the other, like
person unconccrned in the result. And here
l dare say, his bravado carried him too ia
and prejudiced lis case At least after
cast or two backward and forward, opinio
settled finally against him. It's possible h
hoped to repeat tine business of the pirat
ship, and be himself, perhaps, on hard enoug
conditions, elected leader; and things wen
so far that way that Mountain actual
threw out the proposition. But the rock l.
split upon was Hasto. This fellow was nc
VOL liked beip0 snllr nd slot- ,,.irl, IL