Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-01-21
CHAPTER xVI.-(CoNrINusp.)
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Emile. without q moments hesita-
ion stood up In cart. and began a
'urious harangue, somewhat after the
ashton OF his old club addresses. In
Yardly he was stricken with remorse,
emembering that those old appeals had
ost their power. He had claimed
,quality. the power Of rising by worth
II character. the right to be men, the
naughty refusal to bend the neck OF
slaves; but now the wild heart OF law
essness asked for nothing but revenge
and triumph, blood and crime. HIS
aords 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
rnudder of disgust. but he shook
lands heartily and answered with the
most apparent delight:
II am ready for the work. The
Ghole people must come forward-and
behold! France is free! Might you be
he loyal worker for the people my
comrade has been speaking of-are
you citizen Pierre?"
THE very one; and ! am proud to
meet the Gray Falcon" Arm In arm
NJ. Pierre and Emile walked into a res
taurant for breakfast. I'm on the
scent of nice brace Of aristocrats." :"
said the former confidentially. as he
disposed of one huge morsel after an
o.her; they escaped when the chateau
was burnt in the most internally mys-
tcrious way, but I shall have them yet.
I 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 1t may sweep some OF
its helpers away. too. The Mountain
Party and the Jacobins are fighting
each other. l promised to start the
flame here, but you seem to have 1t
well performed. and / see not but l
can speedily return. Why can't you
go back with me, citizen Pierre?"
Willingly. brave Falcon. II have
caught my birds. but otherwise must
stick to this spct. know they are
still about the place and must watch
my nets"
You seem to have great interest in
sicceeding?"
ITO be sure. I have double motives
gain and revenge. haven't told you
there is girl in the case. have /, that
gives extra zest to the adventure?"
Emile swallowed his disgust and ire
a. best he might, and with some trivial
excuse, left NJ. Pierre to finish his
breakfast. 1t seemed to him he should
s1ife II 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 revolution
ary orator was so widespread, might
we'll draw the attention of all.
1t was 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
cid evils patiently, in lieu of the mad
dened convulsion. whatever publication
might eventually come from 1t.
But he had set his task before him,
Nd Erf,t1 haH nj
10 self-sacriflces 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 circumstances.
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 M. Pierre confident
ly broaching the plan of hunting for
caves or burrows in the 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. jubi-
liant and sanguine.
"Wait little. Falcon, and can 90
with you, after l catch my prey"
You have remarkable faith, citi-
zen, to hold SO firmly to the belief that
the Little Forest contains fugitives. l
confess / should have given 1t UP long
,Po."
"Oh, no. not if your faculties were
sharpened with the thirst for revenge.
At last am rewarded. The watchers
last night detected 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
shall discover their burrow yet. l
lave 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 long time
with his head dropping in his hands.
Something must be done, and that