Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-04-13

sonage of Importance, and that he was un-
known to Clinton by sight That something
Of moment was on hand was also discovered,
and it evidently lay in my power to thwart
the matter and confound the British. At
the same time it would probably spread
open path for me to leave the city, and
possibly in some manner show me way to
lay hands on my gold. 1t was fair chance
TO act upon, and | could in no wise let harm
come to the young sailor until | knew more
or had been piloted on my way.
This was with my head With my body l
simply moved to where lay Scammell's
saber, and picked it up.
As / did so, the baffled officer turned and
saw the action. Fooled at every point, and
now unarmed and compassed by three
armed men, he swore and fumed like bait
ed animal
| saw the folly Of his total loss Of temper
for had he not parted with it he never
would have been placed in his present posi-
ton. He had quarreled and well-nigh fought
with three men in as many minutes, while
his blind fury had brought him to where he
was worsted and degraded at once.
As he stood there, too proud to retreat
and unable to advance, he glanced hastily
IN every direction In his desperation he
was doubtless looking for his horse and his
pistols in the holsters, and had he found
them there would have been bloodshed
But his high-spirited animal, frightened at
my act Of swinging aloft the table and the
shouts that followed, had tossed up head
and tail at once and gone galloping from the
yard, low being nowhere in sight.
And thus we stood for perhaps the space
Of half a minute Though it seemed longer1,
while at a distance gathered a number who
Lad been draEn hther by the noise of the
brawl Twas a mighty awkward predica-
ment for Scammell, but Beiden finally put
period TO the matter, and opened way for
the tory to retreat Slipping the point of
his sword into its scabbard, he thrust it
down with a ring, and cried:
.'Avast. all hands, We're nothing short
If pack Of fools. Each Of Us has had a
thrust at his neighbor, and each in turn
has stood between two others. lis the
rrettiest muss ! ever saw, so d-n me!
Twas all beginnings and devil of an ending
Lets make 1t up.-Come, Scammeil You
might we'll 20 halfway to meet half man.
BY my faith, that's not bad.-Lounsbury,
was a bullock myself, and ask pardon for
the bottle. So there's my sop.-Who's
next >"
Now my heart warns to a man who ~
quick to take fire, whose wrath is like the
touch of a match to gunpowder, the force
Cf which is gone when its work is done; Just
rs | hate the sulen spirit of one who nurses
the last spark and sulks until its heat dies
FOR lack of tanning.
The generosity of the boy-for he was
little eise-struck home to me, and I was
about offering my hand. when Scanned,
quick to take advantage of the turn of at
fairs, spoke up:
so let II be If you say so. Belden! I am
.f,<se . ba 10 hea 1farI
at kingsbridge I'll willingly pass you and
yon fellow indicating the trickster with
a Jerk Of his head-"but III not be quits
with your new protege save but for the time
Won need him II Clinton wants him, III
spare him the while TO do his dirty work, for
on honorable matters he would neer employ
such man while his betters go begg ng.-
How now. srrahs' he continued, turning
and advancing toward me You are glad
enough to accept the respite, | doubt not.
VIII YOU name time and place to receive
your desertss"
IT'S against my nature to duel in cold
blood: but. as my word IS passed, I'll carry
through my promise. Where do you put
up?"
AT the Kings Arms. trucker"
Then. sir, YOU lie close to the rod, for
! there I STAY also. For the time TO meet vou.
that must rest with Sir Henry For the
I place. that your bowls be not heard by your
/ fellows, l make It the elump Of trees in
/ Lepner's Meadows ian extensive tract o.
drained swampland beyond the then city
/ limits, through about the center OF which
now runs the present Canal street.. GU
/ doubtless know the spot As 10 the hour,
/ l VIII enhghten you AZ your quarters as soon
l as may be-Now. Mr.. Belden, 1 am AZ your
I disposal Shall We get 10 headquarters.
Saving this. l threw to the ground the
torv's saber and turned from him. Instead
ot stopping for his side arm. >cammea
stepped around SO as 10 again be before me,
aud. though there was no abatement 10 the
malicious hatred IN his eve, his voice tel to
/ a hoarse whisper as he said
BY my faith. sir. 1t were better sou had
stood and been run through than 20 have
rut into my head the matter you have Just
given me- More than that. X were better
that YOU mad the devil and his horde
against YOU than Walter 5 -lnmeil.
And bending, he picked Up his saher.
sheathed 1t, threw careless salute to Bel
den and walked of. the card-sharper JON
ir~ the +b~,ss- about Z he tavern door.