The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-06-07
CHAPTER XI.-(CoNT1NuED. J

the captain, (which diminishes our
numbers by one. My second lieuten
ant, who was to have joined the ex-
ploring party, has had fall on the
ice. Judging by what the quartermas
ter tells me, am afraid the poor fell
low has broken his leg"
81 will supply his place" cried
voice at the other end of the hut
Everybody looked round The man
who had spoken so was Richard War
dour
Crawford instantly interfered- so
vehemently as to astonish all who
heard him.
Nor he said "Not you, Richard,
rot you
why not?' Wardour asked sternly.
'.Why not, indeed?" added Captain
Helding "Wardour is the very man
to be useful on long march. He is in
perfect health, and he is the best shot
among us. I was on the point of pro-
posing him myself
Crawford failed to show his custom
airy respec! for his superior officer. He
openly disputed the captains conclu
sionS
'Wardour has no right to volun-
teer," he rejoined. ut has been set
tied, Captain Helding, that chance
shall decide who is to go and who is
to stay"
'And chance has decided it, said
WardCur. "Do you think we are going
to cast the dee again, and give an Of
ficer of the Sea-Mew a chance OF re-
placing an officer Of the Wanderer?
There is a vacancy in our party, not
in yours; and we claim the right of
filling it as we please. | volunteer,
and my captain backs me. Whose au-
thority is to keep me here after that?'
Gently, Wardour," said Captain
Helding "a man who is in the right
can afford to speak with moderation"
He turned to Crawford. ''You must
admit yourself" he continued, that
Wardour is right this time The miss
ing man belongs to my command, and
in common justice one of my officers
ought to supply his place"
1t was impossible to dispute the mat
ter further. The dullest man present
could see that the captains reply was
unansWerable In sheer despair, Cray
ford took Franks arm and led him
aside a few steps. The last chance left
of parting the two men was the chance
of appealing to Frank
MY dear boy" he began, 81 want to
say one friendly word to you on the
subject Of your health. l have already.
if you remember, expressed my doubts
whether you are strong enough to
make one Of an exploring party.
feel these doubts more strong
ly that ever at this moment. Will you
take the advice of a friend who wishes
you well?'
Wardour had followed Crawford
Wardour roughly interposed before
Frank could interpose.
"Let him aloIe!"
Crawford paid no heed to the inter
ruption. He was too earnestly bent
on withdrawing Frank from the expe-
dition to notice anything that was said
or done by the persons about him.
Don't, pray don't, risk hardships
which you are unfit to bearr' he went
on entreatingly. "Your place Gun be
easily filed Change your mind, Frank.
Stay here with me-"
Again Wardour interfered. Again he
called out, Leave him alone!' more
,.o,,cI,Ix- +bnD o,ro- c+i1I doof on5 Hind
to every consideration but one, Cray
ford pressed his entreaties on Frank.
''You owned yourself just now that
you were not we'll seasoned to fatigue"
he persisted .'You feel you must feeD
how weak that last illness has left you
You know q am sure you know how
unfit you are to brave exposure to cold
and long marches over the snow
Irritated beyond endurance by Cray
fcrd's obstinacy-s seeing or thinking he
saw, signs of yielding in Franks face
-Wardour so far forgot himself as to
seize Crawford by the arm and attempt
to drag him away from Frank. Cray
ford turned and looked at him.
Richard he said, very quietly,
''you are not yourself. l pity you.
Drop your hand.
Wardour relaxed his hold with some
thing of the sullen submission of
wild animal to its keeper. The mo-
mentary silence which followed gave
Frank an opportunity of speaking at
last
Il am gratefully sensible, Crawford,
he began, 'of the interest which you
take in me-