The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-25
IConcuded from Last Saturdays Tribune

clearing, and so close to the horse
whose whinny T heard that / could
touch him by stretching out my arm.
Twas a noble animal, and 1 noticed
with satisfaction the heavy cavalry
pistols in each holster. One of these
/ quickly secured, for the owner must
be near by.
No sooner wis the pistol in my hand
than l saw him. Twas Captain Hol-
lister. He was pacing swiftly up and
down, with his watch in his hand, and
ever and anon tylancing anxiously to-
ward an openinE: in the wood on the
other side of the clearing. 1 remem-
bered what he sa i'd about his import
ant appointment at in the morning.
Perhaps. thought 1. it was with Ira
vers. l must act quickly. BY this time
HOLSTER was abreast of the horse and
i stepped out, esenting the pistol at
his head.
Damn" cried he in surprise.
verify" quoth 1, smiling, 1.-The for
| tune of war doth change rapidly"
He said nothing, but looked at me
surlily.
II want your sword, Captain" 1
said.
Nay he cried; II have use for it,"
"Not for some time" said 1; prison
ers need no arms"
He laughed bitterly. Course my
luck" he cried
| Nay" I replied; "you see Lafay-
cite sooner than you expected"
| l laughed as he started in surprise
and looked at me curiously.
"Ah," he exclaimed; "tis now on the
stroke of six. Give me ten minutes"
mot a minute" 1 cried thinking of
his appointment.
You will spoil a pretty pastime,"
said he.
For your dragoons?"
mo on my honor. You are safe
enough"
II mean to be-" said I. "Your
sword"
1 heard the beat Of horses hoofs on
the turf.
Your sword" 1 cried savagely
thrusting the pistol in his face, and
as he threw it down sullenly richly
dressed officer dashed into the clear
ing and dismounted with a jump at
our sides. / presented my revolver at
his breast.
"Ah, mon ami" he cried; "where are
your eyes?" and he threw off his
cloak, revealing the splendid uniform
of an officer of Lafayette's staff.
Capt. de Courcey at your service"
he said, and bowed deeply to me and
then to Capt. Hollister.
"'Tis most urgent that 1 see the
Marquis and get my prisoner to camp"
said I. You will assist me?"
Willingly" he cried, when Captain
Hollister and / have concluded our
business"
Twill take but few minutes" ex-
claimed Hollister pleadingly.
Nay" said l angrily, "'tis foilish-
ness; these private broils are absurd" /"
and, turning to Captain de Courcey,
"you know his Excellency disapproves
of duelling."
His Excellency is an American, and
does not understand affairs of honor"
cried De Courcey slightingly.
You can readily find one American,
monsieur, who does" exclaimed.
"Ah." said he, smiling, Il shall be
most happy after Captain Hollister."
He is my prisoner, and you cannot
!, fight him now," 1 cried.
"Ah, but l WILL" he replied; and be-
fore l realized what he was doing, he
sprang behind me and pinioned my
arms, ana IN rev SECONDS was Slt-
ting on the ground like trussed fowl,
my hands tied behind me with De
Courcey's scarf and my feet bound with
; HOLSTERS bride, while De Courcey
stood bowling and smiling before me,
and Hollister removed his coat in a
! business-like manner
, was angry at the ease with which
J / had been overcome and at my humil-
alton. and freely branded De Courcey
: as a coward and a traitor, whereat he
| bowed and smiled as before, and con-
; tented himself with f1icking his glove
J in my face and saying: After Captain
} Hollister, monsieur"