The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-01-08
CHAPTER VII.


&$4NSSS&1s;':As' &1;':A
=! I
. Gk6H~ OR a moment there was
4 silence in the brightly illu-
ES minated room. With flush
~N ed face and swollen veint
~ and twitching, clutching
hands, old Maitland stood there glaring
at the young officer. Before Perry could
speak again, however, and more fully
explain the untoward circumstance,
there came a rush Of hurrying footsteps
without, and the sound Of excited voices.
The next minute they heard an eager,
angry challenge, and Perry recognized
the voice Of the overseer or manager
whom he had met In the morning.
"What do you fellows want here?"
was his brusque and loud inquiry as he
sprang from the piazza and stood con-
fronting the sergeant, who was quietly
seated in the saddle, and the question
was promptly echoed by three or four
burly men who, in shirt sleeves and
various styles of rndress. came tumbling
In the wake of their leader and stood
now menacing group looking up at the
silent troopers.
II there be one thing on earth that
will stir an Irishman's soul to its inmost
depths and kindle to instant fame the
latent heat of his pugnacity, it is just
such an inquiry IN the readily recog-
nized accent of the hated "Sassenach."
Perry recognized the danger In fash,
and, springing through the open case
ment, interposed between the hostile
parties.
"Not word, Sergt. Leary. Here, Mr..
Manager, these men simply obeyed Or
ders, and I am responsible for any mis-
take. No harm was intended"-
"Harm" broke in one Of the ranch
men, with demonstratively loud laugh.
"Harm be blowed! What harm could
you do, I'd like to know? If the mas
ter'n only say the word, we'd break your
heads In q minute"
"Quiet. now, Dickr interposed the
overseer; but the other hands growled
approval, and Perry's eyes flashed with
anger at the insult. What reply he
might have made was checked by the
sight of Sergt. Leary throwing himself
from the saddle and tossing his reins to
one of the men, He knew well enough
| what that meant, and sprang instantly
in front Of him.
1 - ut pooH iv,-
stantlyr' for the sergeant's face was fierce
with rage. mount, sayT added the
lieutenant, as the sergeant still hesitated,
and even the sense of disciplinecould not
keep the mounted troopers from q NUT
tered word Of encouragement. Slowly,
wrathfully, reluctantly, the soldier
obeyed, once turning furiousiy back as
ieering taunts were hurled at him from
among the ranchers, unrebuked by their
manager. "Now move off with youl
men to the gate. Leave my horse, and
wait for me there. Cor added the young
officer, sternly; and, with bitter mortifi
tcation at heart and a curse stided on hi!
lquivering lips, the Irishman turned hi!
horses head away and slowly walked hin
in the indicated direction.
| "Now, Mr.. Manager" said Perry
turning fiercely upon the younger Eng
kshman, II have done my best 10 re
strain my men; do you look out fo
yours. You have allowed them to ins,l
me and mine, and you may thank you
stars that discipline prevailed with N
people, though you have nothing of tn
kind here"
"Your men have cut down our fence
BY your order, presume" said the ma,
! ager, coolly, land it's lucky for thel
they got out.of the way when they dit
We have hight to protect our propert
and eject iutruders, and"-
II came here to inquire for missin
mana right even an Englishman Cal
not deny us on these prairies. We hs
excellent reason to believe him mjure'
and thought, not knowing you for tt
inhospitable gang you are, that he mig
have been carried In here for treatmen
. there was no other place. Your pr
prietor tells me he is not here. Aft
what I've seen OF your people, ha'
| reason to be still more anxious abo'
him Scant mercy q single troop
! would have had at their hands. Now
| ask you, Do Ua know or have you heal
st cavalry soldier being seen arour
here during the day?"
Perry was standing holding his hor
by the curb ss he spoke, facing the pa
|. lU windows and confronting the ang
, group of rsnchmen. Within, thous
!. nearer the window than he had left lril
was The bent form Of the owner of Du
/, raven, leaning on his cane and appare,
" impatiently striving to make himse
! heard as he came forward Before t
manager could answer, he was comp,
led to turn about and rebuke his me
two Of whom were especially trucule
and penacing. Finally he spoke:
: 81 have heard nothing, but I tell y
frankly that If any Of your men ha
d been prowling around here it's more th
r probable some one has got hurt. 3
. there been any trouble today, men?"
= asked.
. "By God. there will be IL this ran
isn't cleared In Eve minutes" was
only answer.
Don't make an.ass a yourself, Hok
? growled the manager. "They are goi
|. quick enough"
'I ann going" said Perry, swingi
lightly into saddle; '.and mind you ii
air: 70 with well warranted suspici
: that some-of these kalllies OF yours ha
been yesponsibse for the non-appeara.
q my scnlae seleeank ~ he q .~s s~.'