The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-05-21

borneAW1th you 70 Tar, ana en,
ashamed Of my own patisnce. 11ySsy
word you utter IL . fresh insult, !" 10 ~
claimed, with . sudden fury In hi1seyea;
land Il you do not leave me instantly,
before God I will avenge myself!
The colonel unlocked the door wttho1l
a word. With great alacrity he sllpped
out and locked It again on the other side,
AS he did 80 he heard a light footstep
hastily retreating. He followed imme-
diately. and was In time to see the door
Of Camilla's cabin softly closed. He
approached noiselessly, and listened out
side in his turn. She was sobbing, and
IL the colonel had not been someWhat
mustered by his late unceremonlouss dir.
mtssal, 80 keen an observer would have
noted that her sobs were the quick,
kalf-laughing utterance OF intense re-
lief. But he was not now concerned
with Camilla's feelings. He had Est
court yet to conquer, and he went on
In search Of tombstone to help him IA
the struggle.
The colonel explained the position 20
him from beginning to end. Now" he
said in conclusion. you see the one
thing absolutely necessary. So long a.
he hopes to clear himself with NAL
colin he will defy us. Once let him COM
nit himself too far for that, and he a
ours body and soul.'
What do you want him to doc" asked
tombstone. you give 1t name. and
warrant I'll make him do it,
Yes" replied the colonel. ''I think
1t Is time that you tried your hand NOW.
The game Of skill Is up, and we must
see what force can do for u.s.. want
him to write letter to Admiral NAL
colin asking for permission to anchor
the brig OF jamestown for twenty-four
hours. He needn't write the whole let
ter even. can do 1t for him, provided
he signs 1t. He can't draw back after
that"
"That'll d." said tombstone. ..I'll see
to 1t, never fear!'
''Ill have the letter ready after sup
per, then" said the colonel, as he went
below; land remember that II he re-
fuses to sign when I ask him, I shall
leave him to you at once; but Of course
you will avoid taking any irretrievable
step until the last possible moment
II understand" answered tombstone,
with grin; obstinate as ever he likes,
he shan't meet with fatal accident, not
board: after that I can't answer for
what may happen. It's long fan into
the hold, and some folks are so care
less Of themselves"
The brutality Of this jest displeased
the colonel. who was above all things a
man Of taste; but he could not AFFORD
just now to be critical Of his tools, so
he let it pass without rebuke, and went
to order supper.
The meal was served to Dick in the
saloon, with tombstone on guard at the
door; to the colonel alone in the cap
tain's room; Camilla, locked in her
own. refused all persuasion to eat or
drink.
A long time passed, and silence
reigned unbroken between the decks OF
the Speedwell.
It was nearly midnight when Camilla
at last heard her brother-in-law leave
his cabin and call tombstone. The two
men spoke together for a moment in q
low voice and then entered the saloon,
Dick started up as they came in: he
looked tired and grim; his cheeks were
sunken, and furrowed with lines. that
told Of anger and determination. IS
Perhaps" said the colonel, 'syou have
now thought matters over and are pre-.
pared to reconsider your decision. do
! not wish to be unreasonable, and I am
ready to meet you halfway; all i now
ask is that you should demand permits
sion to anchor from your old friend Sir
Pulteney Malcolm. It is a most natu.
raj request to make, and in fact no more
than is really necessary for the safety
Of the vessel In such weather as this"
Dick kept scornful silence.