The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-01-31

go forward and that he still had conf
dence in the success of the enterprise.
Jack Moore attired in half-hunter, half
farmer costume of the period, sat on the
river bank, with his long barreled rifle at
his side, listening to the magical words of
the orator. At the conclusion the young
frontiersman heaved a sigh.
ITS always So" he whispered to Harry.
81 hoped l was goin' to know what we are
goin' to do, but it is all agin covered up
with mystery"
Harry, who had begun to have some
vague misgiyings, watched his opportunity
to speak with Burr alone, and asked:
Colonel, is the expedition in danger"
"No," answered the Colonel, biting off
the end of cigar, and lighting it from n
fag0t at the campfire.
But the proclamation of the President
and the action Of the military is discourag-
ing"
'Old Tom jefferson is fool" Burr de-
clared HE goes off half-cocked-he
jumps at conclusions"
Colonel" said Harry, lowering his
voice to confidential pitch. where are,
we going, and what are we going to do?"
With smile on his handsome face the
conspirator answered:
Harry, my dear friend you shall know
all in due time. Until the time for the I'M
folding of my plan arrives be content to
wait You shall share my confidence and
my glory. The brave man never hesitates
at danger, or becomes dismayed at diff
culties.
Harry was by no means satisfied at the
evasive answers of the conspirator. He
could no longer BE- gratified by the golden
promises of the future. The throne. the
kingly court and princely courtiers all
seemed slipping away. despite the prom
IScS and assurances of the man on whom
no relied and no in th.ir cta only
the blackened ruins Of consumed hope and
the ashes of his fOndest dreams. Could it
be that after all he had dared and ven
tured, after forsaking mother, sisters and
country, for this one brilliant jewel to lag
at the feet of one he loved, he was to lose
all? Turning his appealing glance on the
chief again he said:
Colonel, assure me that nothing we have
done, or will do, will compromise our hon
or. Assure me that no law has been or
will be violated
Have l not assured you, again and
again, that all will be right in the end?
The people are all with us. Old Tom JEFF
ferson is fool and a traitor to a friend,
or he would not have issued that scurri-
lous proclamation. But we have a true
friend, on whom we can rely, and we are
now going to him."
The friend to whom Burr referred was
Gen. Wilkinson, at this moment the most
active enemy the expedition had.
The cOnspirators went on board their
boats, and the hotilia drifted down
the stream, entering the Mississippi, stop
ping boldly at the forts Oh the banks, ask
ing and receiving faTors, and occasionally
picking up a recruit or two Harry
Granger began to once mere take hope
Burr wore q smiling face, and treasured
the youth by the cheerful serenity of his
bearing. The fiotiila proceeded until they
reached Bayou Pierre. about 30 miles
above NatcheZ. Here they landed, and
friend of Burrs, travelling through the
country on horseback, placed in His hands
a newspaper, which contained an account
OK Gen. Wiikinson's course in the matter,
and gave an account of the prodigiOus ex-
element in the lower country.
The dOuble-dyed william and traitor"
said Burr, grinding his beautiful teeth
IN rage. But he recovered himself in a
moment and in Voice that was calmness
itself asked his spy:
rs that all?'
'No"
Let me have the rest. 1 want to know
the very worst"
The spy handed him q printed copy of
the proclamation of the Governor of Mis-
sissippi, charging Burr and his followers
with being conspirators against their coun-
try, and calling the officers of the Govern
ment to renew their oath of fidelity to the
United States, and give their best efforts
toward crushing this nefarious plot
Aaron Burr had gained such complete
control over his features by this time
that whatever may have been his feelings.
he never for a moment lost his self-pos-
session. Comfort Tyler, Davis Floyd and
Harry Granger gathered about the chief
and asked:
What is this new complication? Win
IN prpypnt tha aypaIifion 81
"No," he answered. My men II had
time ! would amuse you by reading this
document" holding up the proclamation
of the Governor. st would greatly amuse
you, and might contain valuable lesson,
showing how near Governor as well as
the President of the United States can
come to making an ass Of himself. But
time presses, and / must hasten to answer
this foolish proclamation and set the peo-
pie right. Meanwhile, according to the
laws of nature, we have the right to de-
fend ourselves. Remain here for few.
days, and be prepared to resist such rue-
fans as despoiled the home of our good
friend Blennerhassett.
There was hnlf-hearted cheer to this,
and the men went into camp, while Burr
wrote /: public letter. denying the truth
OF the Governors allegations, asserting
that he had no objects save such as were
lawful and honorable
"If,' said he, 'the alarm which has
been excited should not be appeased by
this declaration, l invite my fellow-citi-
zens to visit me at this place, and to re-
ceive from me in person such failure ex-
PLANTATION as may be necessary to their sat
isfactiOn, presuming that when my views
are understood they will receive the coun-
tenance of all good men,"
Hoping to win the military over to him.
he requested that this letter should be read
to the militia.
Burr felt that he stood on unsafe
ground. The main props and foundation
of the expedition were gone by Wilkin-
son failing to support his views, and ruin
and misery stared him and his deluded fol-
lowers in the face; but he did not despair,
and assured Harry Granger that they
were just entering on their triumphant
conquest.
(To be continued)