The Bemidji pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minn.) 1896-1917, 1901-05-16
s a Brave Coward.
s BY Robert Louis stevenson
BY Robert Louis Stevenson.
AI4AdANAlsktA/eAHA<sAteAIaAttAIvklNf&
CHAPTER ii. Continued.)

N CHAPTER 1T Continued.)
My wife and I, man and a woman
have often agreed to wonder how per
SON could be at the same time so hand
some and SO repulsive as Northmcur
He had the appearance OF a finished
Y gentleman; his face bore every mari
OF intelligence and courage, but you on
4 Iy had to look at him, even In his mos
amiabie moment, to see that he hal
the temper Of slave captain.
never knew a character that was
4 both explosive and reyengeful TO the
same degree; he combined the vivacity
of the South with the sustained and
deadly hatreds Of the North; and both
4 traits were plainly written on his face
which was a sort Of danger signal. In
person he was tall strong and active;
his hair and complexion very dark; his
features handsomely designed, but
spoiled by a menacing expression.
AT that moment he was somewhat
,paaer than by nature; he wore q heavy
frown; and his lips worked, and lie
looked sharply round as he walked, Ike
;a: Ban basieged with approximations.
And vet thought he had a look Of
triumph underlying all, as though ne
had already done much, and was near
the end Of an achievement.
Partly from scruple Of delicacy---
which dare say came too late--p partly
/ from the pleasure Of startling an ac-
quaintance, desired to make my pres-
ence known to him without delay
( got suddenly to my feet, and step
ped forward.
Northmourr said r
have never had so shocking sur
prise in all my days. He leaped on me
without a word; something shone in
his hand and he struck for my heart
with dagger. AT the same moment
knocked him head over heels. Wheth-
en- It was my quickness. or his own lln-
certainty I know not; but the blade
.cEly grazed my shoulder, while the
hit and his fist struck me violently
on the mouth.
Fed, but not far. I had often and
often observed the capabilities Of the
sand hills for protracted ambush on
Htealthy advances and retreats; and,
mot ten yards from the scene OF the
scnffie, pumped down again upon the
grass. The lantern had fallen and gone
out But what was my establishment
TO see Northmour slip at bound into
1.-The pavilion, and hear him bar the
door behind him with clang Of iron!
He had not pursued me- He had run
away. Northmour, whom knew for
the most implacable and daring OF
slnen, had run away!
las I thus stood transfxed with
wonder. began to grow painfully con-
lscious OF the injuries had received
lin the scuffie; skulked around among
the sand hills; and, by a devious path.
Eegained the shelter Of the wood. On
the way, the old nurse passed again
within several yards Of me, still car
rying her lantern. on the return jour
lney to the mansion house of Graden.
This made a seventh suspicious feature
I'm the case Northmour and his guests,
IL appeared, were to cook and do the
cleaning for themselves, while the old
sWOsnan continued to inhabit the big
empty barrack among the policies.
There must surely be great cause for
secrecy. when SO many Inconvenience
were confronted to preserve it.
So thinking, made my way to the
den. For greater security, ! trod out
the embers of the fire, and tit my Ian
tern to examine the wound upon my
shoulder. It was a trifling hurt,
though it bled freely, and dressed it
as well as could (for its position made
tEt difficult to reach) with some rags
and coldewater from the spring. While
4 was thus busted, / mentally declar-
ed war against Northmour and his
raystery.