Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-07-28
CHAPTER K.

When that early riser, the laughing
hckass. crashed into the.sender spirit
f the dawn with its discordant cachin-
Sation. sprang from my bed of dried
rass. over which my blanket had been
klaced and went down to the river.
ehen l found Barney and boiled my
nuart pot under the leafy Moreton bay
sh that did service as my rooftree.
fhe air was as yet comparatively cool
Ind pleasant. September being only a
bring month. A ghostly. gauzelike
hist rose from the river and crept lin
Ieringly from tree to tree. The tawny
BELOW in the east changed to azure.
Ind as the white quivering sun rose
fbove the tree tops, the dew sparkled
IN the grass as if shower Of fine dia-
honds had fallen.
be effects Of the fever. and as q conse-
1uence my spirits were acquiring theil
lid buoyancy. Once more was appre-
Eating the beauty, the freshness and
he freedom of life in the Australian
bush.
q Having finished breakfast. l wen,
ver to the police barracks and saw
Jack. He had recovered much Of his
1polness and self confidence by this
me There was look of quiet deter
bination on his face refreshing to see
[fter his apathy Of yesterday. knew
low that he meant to fight.
"I've been digesting what you spoke
r yesterday" he said, $50 if you want
= sup wi the dell get out your long
I j. shanlit spuin. You want to look
nt, though. and not burn your tongue
80 you think you can stand the old chap
Fl with what you already know. you
an be master Of ceremonies in my case,
nut look out for your tongue. You un-
erstand1'
About Q o'clock Daily drove ppiin th.
tation wagon with Elsie. the rest ar
living on horseback. We pitched tent
br the women near the river by GROUP
acacias. within convenient reach Of
he courthouse Gordon, l discovered,
new much more than had given him
redit for. Being a quiet, COOL long
eaded Scot. he had provided for Ger.
Pin contingencies that made me in.
bulge in considerable speculation.
At 10 clock began to get little
ervous. We were now all gathered to
either in the large marquee tent, with
be sides looped mp and alongside the
Unfinished courthouse. which was not
et available for use. There were two
Fomen present, the publican wife and
yer sister. They were accommodated
eith chairs. A large table, behind and
found which were ranged several cam.
eools. stood at one end Of the tent, and
= occupying the body of the court was
be truly noteworthy public. Coutrasted
ith the hilarious appearance some oi
he individuals composing it presented
Pn the previous evening their presen;
taid demeanor bordered on the fu-
ereal A clear space was left between
lie magistrates table and the apprecia.
i've little crowd Of spectators There
vas not one coat in the company, and
10 one dreamed Of removing his hat.
ome of them had washed, some had
ostponed washing. and others again.
odging BY appearances. had evidently
Fgotten that there was such . thing
the world as water, or at least feared
pat its use might intcrfere with the
quor they were just then assimilating
no their systems. Several had well
Pinned halos of black ard blue encir.
ing their eyes and suggested new
Pec'ss' u rock OF these rings the hap
posseesors We're doubtless proud, tcs-
rying as they did to their powers Of
pdurance in another kind of ring
The face Of one man resembied that
Maori chief being fantastically
lt.oocc with sticking plaster Some
ad comscal. maudlin, h,eary look
pa onrked like owls in the sunlight,
sioently they had been already allay-
az the considerable thirst engendered
.ne hbauons of the night before in
thorough and conscientious manner.
iact' during the progress of the trial
was customary for several of the
ofesaid thirsty individuals TO leave
ne tent quietly bv turns and adjourn