The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-19
CHAPTER XVII.

"Colonel Mansley," said DUNCAN,
Eve want word or two with your
guest. Igive you my pledge that we'll
do him no harm while we're talking to-
gether."
The proposition was 20 unexpected
that the colonel was puzzled. He had
failed to note significant fact which
did not escape me. During the inter.
view DUNCAN never once referred to me
as Hank Boyer. Before the colo,N could
frame his reply stepped through the
open window and stood on the porch in
view Of every member Of both parties.
II am here, DUNCAN. What do you
wish with me?''
The man took off his SLOUGH hat and
slowly bowed until bis head was almost
to his knees. Then, as he Strengthened
up, he said In clear voice:
"Mr. Edward Kenmore Of New York
city, on behalf Of my friends and myself
I offer you a humble apology and beg
your forgiveness for the id fools we
have made Of ourselves. At our meeting
this afternoon in Black Mans swamp
we voted to have medal struck for each
member of our crowd, which he pledged
himself to wear as evidence that he's
the biggest chump in the whole state Of
Mississippi. Cy and me here are to have
the biggest medals, each bout the size
of fapjack, cause we're the cham.
pions
cts unnecessary to go over the live.
ly proceedings Of the last day and night,
cause reckon your mem 'ry don't need
any refreshing as to the same. We all
took you for Hank Boyer, which the
same you shouldn't be slammed of, fur
he's the best looking as we'll as the
meanest man In the county.
"You know the story you told as
how you bought the colonel's chestnut
of him at the crossroads. None Of us
didn't b'lieve it, for which the same
you are partly to blame, being as how
you hundred the idee that you was
Hank. But it happened that when you
bought that horse of him there was
man who seed you do it. He was out
that day sort Of prospecting like when he
obsarved you two, and he hid 'mong
the trees at the side Of the road, heerd
what passed atween you and seed the
money paid over. The reason why this
spectator didn't mention the affair COON
er was that he was afeard his presence
in that quarter would throw 'spicion
on to him as regards chickens, for the
aforesaid gentleman was the darby Pete,
where you spent part Of last night,
and we've promised Pete not to ask him
any troublesome questions on account
If the sarvice he's done to political
and good government, so to
peak.
"Pete told his story.to Cy here today,
md we had . meeting in the woods to
consider things. We was all as hotfoot-
ID as ever after you, for though Cy was
PRESENT he couldn't tell what Pete had
old him, cause he'd promised he
wouldn't. When Cy seed as how there
vas no way Of stopping us, he got Pete
o tell the whole thing and throw him.
elf on to the mercy of the court.
"Waal, that made music. 1t opened
ur eyes. We come nigh getting into a
Ight as to our claims as to which was
he biggest fool. After long argument
hat come mighty nigh blows it was
unanimously agreed that Cy and me
vas tho champions. Il !
"That being settled, which hope you
won't dispute, we had another long
ak as to what was tho right thing to
10. Finally we agreed that we'd come
'ut here in body and offer our apolez- ,,
lies, and here we are.'
And DUNCAN again bowed low, Cy
Walters initiating him to some extent
Have You it in your heart, Mr.. Ken 8
more, to let up en- us?''
"You were rather impulsive last S
light and made things somewhat un-
leasant, but you have done the honor I
bic thing, and I cordially accept your
pology."
DUNCAN turned SO as to faco tho
rowd and, raising his hand, said in . {
voice: f.
Scents, procesdr'
And then came the startling discov.
" that the only two men in the party f
'ho carried firearms were he and Wal Of
'rs. The others. were provided with q al
ASS drum and brass instruments, for,
range az it may seem, Aldine and its
Immediate neighborhood had after long 4
Dor evolved O.. bralS band whose b