The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-04-04
MY CAPTIVE
Continued from sixth page.)
$50 much wilder.

had heard of their forests there, OF
rather what they call forests-sorne acres
| of trees, with the underground cut
away and the lawns shaven. every rod
patrolled by keepers or workmen, mere
plaything of a forest-but here in
America are the real forests, just as
nature made them, the desolate wilder
ness through which the wild animals
howl, while the lone wind plays its
song on the branches or leaves of the
trees. This is the real forest, place in
which man becomes about as big as a
cork on the sea. Never the lone hunter,
though so years his home, fails to feel
it's immensely aud desolation The girl
drew the edges OF her cloak little
more tightly and moved as close to the
fire as the end Of the log would allow
her.
Ii yon will permit me, | said, Il
will give you a better seat by the fire
than that y
She rose without word and l rolled
the log well within the warmth Of the
blaze. She resumed her seat, and the
freight fiickered and played over her
face, tinting her cheeks with deep red
and kpangling her bronze gold hair
with patches of scarlet and crimson
The little red cap had been pulled Sc
curely down on her head, and, sitting
there in the alternate light and dark
ness, her figure 1.-the and strong, she
looked like some Saxon wood nymph.
But did not cease my good deeds. /
call myself a forethoughtfpl trooper,
and from the saddlebags carried across
my saddle bow l took cold chicken a
piece OF cold boiled ham and some hard
biscuits, dinner fit for q prince, or
rather an honest American citizen,
which was better, in these hard times
OF war. To this royal collection added
canteen we'll filled with water. re-
membered the stout little flask in my
breast pocket, and the repast was com
plete, all but the serving.
Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the
good things. Wood nymphs, Saxon or
other, must eat
Let me carve the chicken, she said.
You have neither table, plates nor
knife, l said.
This log will serve as table, some
OF those clean dry leaves as plates. and
you could lend me knife.
How could | lend you q knife, q
weapon, after all the tricks you have
tried to play upon me? You don't forget
this. do you?'
| took tho little toy pistol with
which she had tried to shoot me out of
my pocket and held it up before her
but she laughed. Women don't seem to
have any conscience, or at least they
forget their crimes, which is convenient
for their peace Of mind.
"Give me the knife, she said, land
don't waste time. I'm hungry"
distrusted her as much as ever even
more, but l opened the blade of INV
clasp knife and handed it to her.
"A very good knife, . she said, ''but
have no doubt it was stolen from an
Englishman. All here it is-the name
OF an English maker on the blade"
1t was not stolen!" exclaimed in
dignantly. II took it from him fairly
at the battle of Monmouth, where he
fell into my hands. -
That l suppose, is good enough
title for rebel, :" she said and began
to carve the chicken.
1t was fine, fat chicken, beautifully
roasted, and she showed that she knew
how to carve, for she deftly clipped off
leg, which she held up before me.
THAT looks fat and good to eat she
said, land it's fine chicken, but I've
no doubt twas stolen from a loyal sub.
Ject OF King George
Its not true'' l exclaimed in some
wrath. He was Tory farmer, admit,
but did not steal the chicken. | took
1T before his eyes, and he never said
word +"
Afraid, l suppose, but it doesn't
make any difference to you. It will
taste Just as good to rebel Here take
your piece on this big clean leaf and
eat.
took the piece and ate. She carved
of portion for herself, too, and ate
with good appetite Then handed
her the canteen of water and told her to
take drink.
Don't be afraid, {" said. II took
that water out of clear brook in the
and the land through which
1T flowed belonged to God, not to anv
or Tory.
But how about the canteen?" she
asked. did you steal that from any
English soldier or take it by violence.
which is worse?''
l showed her the name of the maker
q Boston man, upon it.
"A vile rebel town, the worst OF them
all, . she said
But she took good drink out of it,
and when she handed it back to me
initiated her example. Then, while the
ire cracked and blazed higher and the
circle OF light widened and the darkness
beyond it thickened we ate and drank.
md grew cheerful l had defeated ali
Ter attempts, and tomorrow would
ind Morgan and give her into other
lands and be rid of all my troubles vet
was compelled to admit once again
nat she was very beautiful with the
freight Pickering and playing over her
ace and hair, but all the world knows
IS have said. that the handsome wom-