Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-12-22
CHAPTER XVI.-1CoNrINurp.l

I4HlIe. Without moment 5 neSlta-
tion stood up in a cart, and began a
furious harangue, somewhat after the
fashion OF his old club addresses. In
wardly he was stricken with remorse,
remembering chat those old appeals had
lost their power. He had claimed
equality, the power of rising by worth
of character, the right to be men, the
naughty refusal to bend the neck of
slaves; but LOW the wild heart of law
lessness asked for nothing but revenge
and triumph, blood and crime. His
words were eloquent. and he took care
to refrain from appeals to their bru-
tality, but he dwelt adroitly on the
watch-cry, Equality, liberty" and all
around applauded heartily as he de-
scended
You are just the man we want"
cried NJ. Pierre, coming forward with
outstretched hands.
Emile could scarcely control his
ehudder of disgust, but he shook
hands heartily and answered with the
most apparent delight:
II am ready for the work, The
whole people must come forward-and
behold. France is freel Might you be
the loyal worker for the people my
comrade has been speaking of-are
you citizen Pierre?"
The very one; and | am prc~d to
meet the Gray Falcon" Arm in arm
M. Pierre and Emile walked into res
taurant for breakfast I'm on the
scent of nice brace of aristocrats,"
said the former conhden.ially, as he
disposed of one huge morsel after an
other; they escaped when the chateau
was burnt in the most internally mys-
terious way, but / shall have them yet.
l shall expect much help from your
sagacity You people in Paris must
have got well trained by this time.
How go affairs?"
'Prosperously; there Is not the
slightest doubt Louis will be beheaded,
and the Austrian wife will follow.
There is one danger. We may get the
tide so strong it may sweep some OF
Its helpers away, too. The Mountain
Party and the Jacobins are fighting
each other. l promised to start the
fame here, but you seem to have it
well performed, and | see not but |
go back with me, citizen Pierre?"
Willingly, brave Falcon, if ! have
caught my birds, but otherwise | must
stick to this spct. l know they are
still about the place and | must watch
my nets"
"You seem to have great interest in
succeeding"
ITO be sure. / have double motives
gain and revenge. l haven't told you
there is a girl in the case, have |, that
gives extra zest to the adyenture?"
Emile swallowed his disgust and ire
as best he might, and with some trivial
excuse, left M. Pierre to finish his
breakfast. 1t seemed to him he should
stiae if he breathed the same air with
the villain any longer.
He found himself the object of awe
and reverence. One who had passed
through so many Partisan tragedies,
and whose reputation as a revolution
airy orator was 50 widespread, might
we'll draw the attention of ALL
1t was a sore trial for him to speak
now. The terrible perversion of his
former efforts made his heart heavy
under similar attempts. He had seen
for himself what revolution meant,
and he was almost ready to accept the
old evils patiently, in lieu of the mad
dened convulsion, whatever publication
might eventually come from it.
But he had set his task before him.
and Emile had all his life been used
to self-sacrifices and self-struggling.
He was not the man to blanch or fall
ter.
The days wore on from a week to a
month, and still Emile found himself
hampered on all sides. and bound hand
and foot by the press of circ instances.
His heart sickened as he thought of
the long delay, the torture OF watching
and waiting in that underground re-
treat. He was nearly frantic with
alarm as he heard NJ. Pierre confident
ly broaching the plan of hunting for
caves or burrows in thu forest. declar-
ing he would dig it all over before he
gave up his search.
And still no plan for their escape
had occurred to him. His very popular
ity increased the difficulty; he had no
privileges, every movement he made
was noted; he gave out notice that he
was sent for to Paris, and made os-
tensible preparations for departure.
That very day came NJ. Pierre iubi-
liant and sanguine.
Wait little, Falcon, and can 60
with you, after | catch my prey"
you have remarkable faith. citi-
zen, to hold so firmly to the belief that
the Little Forest contains fugitiyes. |
confess I should have given it UP long
ago."
"Oh, no, not if your faculties were
shaSpened with the thirst for revenge.
At last | am rewarded. The watchers
last night detected a man stealing to-
ward the spring of water in the center
OF the forest. One caught him fairly.
but he wrestled with him, escaped
and in the same strange way vanished
1t has happened twice before. They
are foxes. | give them due credit, but
l shall discover their burrow yet. 1
have sent for tools. and I'll dig over
the whole ground and cut down every
tree, but | will unearth them"
Success to you, citizen" answered
Emile, but he longed to leap upon him
and throttle the exultant villain.
Left alone, Emile sat a long time
with his head drooping in his hands