Willmar tribune., 1899-07-19
CHAPTER VIII.
By cHAUNcY G. HOTCHKISS

!. 4 CHAPTER VIII.
THE HINT OF THE EARTHQUAKE
The crash of thunder following the flash
fer q time made words impossible; and
Ection was equally out of the question, for
il the midst of the believing, and while
was casting searching glances about the room
tor some means of defense, he raised the
weapon and leveled it at me-, -,
could fathom no motive for his thus at.
tacking me, save the heat in his rum-mad.
dened brain, and, were he impelled by drink,
my position was doubly critical Had there
been q ghost of a chance to act in the ag.
gressive, in this desperate moment should
have availed myself of it; but not even that
really formidable weapon and guard, chair,
was nearer. than the table, and to have made
q move toward it felt meant certain de.
struction. A sudden attack on him was out
6f my power, for betwiXt us intervened the
broad table itself, which made it impossible
10 avail myself of the tactics had used with
Lounsbury. There was naught for me to do
but stand az was and await the terrible
issue. m = -
However, as he remained silent, man
nged to find my voice, and, as the thunder
rolled in the distance, shouted:
Capt. Scammell,. are You so demented or
so cowardly and so lost to honor that you
will murder the man you challenged to fight
IN the field?"
Without swerve of the arm, he answered
sternly:
"Sit down!", ,4,- :
Even thus beset, it irked me to obey him
like a schoolboy, but realized that, armed,
under the existing circumstances he was far
stronger than with all my sinews. Wisely,
then, swallowed my ire, and, approaching
the table, seated myself with the hope that
he would come within reach.
He was not slow in following, for he
stepped forward and carefully slid into the
chair opposite, though not for second un-
covering me with the muzzle of his pistol, or,
tor that matter, taking his eye from mine
And here we sat while flash and crash fol-
lowed each ether in quick succession. My
brain worked rapidly enough, but as the Sec
onds sped no way could find to rid me of tie
shining ring of steel confronting me or turn
for moment the equally brilliant CLINT of
bis eye, each of which acquired clearness
with the itful lighting of the room.
The table was too broad for an onslaught,
and now that we were closer, could see
the nerves of the man were at full tension,
and that on the slightest hostile move on my
Fart he would pull the trigger. .:
hoped lightning would strike the house
md put an end to the situation, which at
last began to have its effect on me; and l
take it that no man can long stand the scowl
Of loaded barrel backed by determined
yet silent enemy without undergoing more
or less strain.
Twas even wishing that the heavens would
let loose bolt and finish the matter, or that
the man opposite would open his lips and
speak, despite the roar, when felt the floor
Mneath me tremble, as though the house
was shaken by a mighty power. It passed
in the instant, and as it did so the thunder
faded away for the moment, and Scam
nell, lowering his hand, let it rest on the
edge of the table, whence the pistol held me
FULL in the chest: Then he spoke, and per
haps because the excitement indoors and out
had partly sobered him, his words came
clearly:
II have here your id message in my
hand, but, as you may well guess, it is fore
stalled. There will be no fight between US
tomorrow morning"
Because you deem it safer to murder me
now?" I returned calmly. "Give me but"
''Shut your mouth" he interrupted, let
ting 60 his temper. "Do you think am here
TO handy words with q rebel? Capt. Donald
Thorndye, alias Lounsbury, you are close on
to the end of your rope, and you'll find that
end hasa moose in it, you cursed spy! What"
he continued, rising in his increasing rage,
and Immediately reseating himself, while
his voice grew louder, edo you think am a
fool, or so blind that I may not see through
. riddle? have found You out, hide and
hair-Thorndyke, of Martins Vineyard
smuggler-rebel-spy! Had you escaped me
this day, and been of on Clinton's business,
which doubtless lies there" (pointing to my
papers, which lay on the table), II would
have hunted you down had it cost me my
commission. Escape me?. No, by the gods!
From the beginning fancied you the fraud
ycu are, and fat the Bulls Head, by your
words and fine airs. you made me sure of it.
You slipped your role. You'll find your hen.
hawk has sharp eyes, and, giant though you
be, you will see that q seamew is nothing in
his grip. Nay, have not come to shoot you
down as you deserve, but know your in.
ternal tricks, and mean to hold you where
you belong. T take it twill afford me more
pleasure to see you dance at . ropes end