The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1900-05-24
Oh APTER IX.-C3ntinued.

II say, Mr. Remark" cried young
Howard, as the company moved off, 'if
you see any of them don't tell them
I'm here 49, especially Margaret. 1t
might make them uneasy. I'll get
leave when this is over and drop in on
them
The boy spoke with the hopeful con-
fidence of youth, and had evidently no
premonition of how his appointment
would be kept. Remark left the
road and struck across country for the
tent, which he reached without further
molestation, finding it as he had left
it.
Meanwhile, two men were tramping
steadily along the dust road towards
Welland, the captor moody and silent,
the prisoner tall1ative and entertaining.
Yates conversation often went beyond
the entertainment, and became, at
times instructive. He discussed the
affairs of both countries, showed way
out of all political difficulties, gave
reasons for the practical use of COM
mon sense in every emergency, passed
opinions on the method of agriculture
adopted in various parts of the country,
told stories of the war, gave instances
of men in captivity numbering those
who were in charge of them, deduced
from these anecdotes the foolishness of
resisting lawful authority lawfully ex-
ercised, and in general showed that he
was man who respected power and
the exercise thereof. Suddenly branch
ing to more practical matters, he ex-
claimad:
Say, Stoliker, how many taverns
are there between here and Welland?"
StOliker had never counted them.
well, that's encouraging, anyhow.
If there are so many that it requires an
effort of the memory to enumerate
them, we will likely have something to
drink before long"
II never drink while on DUTY" said
Stoliker, CURLY.
"Oh, well, don't apologize for it.
Every man has his failings Ill be
only too happy to give you some in
structions. l have acquired the useful
practice of being able to drink both on
duty and off duty. Anything can be done,
Stoliker, if you give your mind to it, 1
don't believe in the word can't either
with Or without the inverted comma"
Stoliker did not answer, and Yates
yawned YEARLY.
II wish you would hire rig. con-
stable. I'm tired of walking I've
been on my feet ever since three this
morning.
II have no authority to hire buggy"
"But what do you do when prisoner
refuses to move?"
II make him move" said Stoliker,
shortly.
"Ah, see. That's good plan, and
saves bills at the livery-stable''
They came to tempting bank by the
roadside, when Yates cried:
Lets sit down and have a rest I'm
tired out The sun is hot and the road
dusty. You can let me have half an
hour; the days young yet
I'll let you have fifteen minutes.'
They sat down together. II wish a
team would come along" said Yates,
with a sigh.
mo chance of team, with most of
the horses in the neighborhood stolen
and the troops on the roads,
''That's So" assented Yates, sleepily.
He was evidently done out, for his
chin dropped on his breast and his eyes
closed. His breathing came soft and
regular, and his body leaned towards
the constable, who sat bolt upright.
Yates left arm fell across the knees OF
Stoliker, and he leaned more and more
heavily against him. The constable
did not know whether he was sham.
ming or not, but he took no risks He
kept his grasp firm on the butt of the
revolver. Yet, he reflected. Yates
could surely not mediate an attempt
On his weapon, for he had a few min
utes before told him story about a
prisoner who escaped in exactly that
way. Stoliker was suspicious of the
good intentions of the man he had il
charge; he was altogether too polite
and good-natured; and, besides, the
constable dumbly felt that the prisone,
was much cleverer man than he
Here, sit up" he said grufly. I'm
not paid to carry you, you know"
whats that? What's that? What!
that?' cried Yates, rapidly, blinking
his eyes and Strengthening up. ooh
it's only you, Stoliker. I thought i
was my friend Remark. Have 1 beer
asleep?"
EITHER that or pretending-1 dom
know which, nor do I care"
"Oh! must have been pretending,
answered Yates, drowsily; 81 cam
have dropped asleep. How long hav,
we been here?"
about five minutes"
"All right" And Yates head began
to droop again.
This time the constable felt no doubt
about it. No man could initiate slee1
so we'll. Several times Yates nearly
fell forward, and each time saved him
self, with the usual luck of a sleeper OF
drunkard. Nevertheless Stolike7
never took his hand from his revolver
Suddenly with a greater lurch thar
usual Yates pitched head-frst down
the bank, carrying the constable will
him. The steel band of the handcuf
nipped the wrist of Stoliker, who, with
an oath and a cry of pain, instinctivel.