Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-12-25

"AseepY
NO" said Humphrey; "no, my gooC
fellow. | was only thinking"
The buccaneer frOwncd little more
heavily as he listened to his prisoners
cool, careless words, and felt the contcmp
tuous tone in which he was addressed.
"You sent for me-" he said, harshly
and his voice sounded coarse and rough.
well" said Humphrey, with insOlent
contempt, chow many ships have you
plundercd-how many throats have you
cut this yoyageY
The buccaneers eyes seemed to flash
ms he took q step forward and made an
angry gesture. But he checked himself
on the instant, and, with Il faint smile
replied:
Captain Armstrong is disposed to be
merry. Why have you sent for me-"
Merry" said Humphrey, still iguor-
ing the question; zone need be, shut up
in this tomb. Well, you are back again. y
YES, | am back again" said the buc-
cancer, smoothing his brow, and decin-
ing to be angry with his prisoner for his
insulting way. at is but the pecking Of a
rrisoned bird" he said to himself.
And not been caught and hanged yet Z
was in hope that | had seen the last
of you"
81 have heard tell before Of prisoners
reviling their captors," said the bucca-
neer, quietly.
| "Revlle! Well, is it not your portion"
For treating you with the considera-
ton due to a gentleman said the buc-
cancer whose features grew more cain
and whose eyes frightened as IL from
satisfaction at finding the prisoner so cool
and daring, and in how little account he
was held. 81 have given orders that the
prisoner should be treated well. Is there
anything more | can do?'
The harsh, grating voice had grown
soft, deep, rich and mellow, while the
dark, flashing eyes seemed to have be-
Come dreamy as they rested upon the
prisoners handsome, defiant face.
| Yes" said Humphrey, bitterly; give
me my liberty"
The buccaneer shook his head.
Curse you! No; you profess to serve
me- to treat me well-and you keep me
here barred up like some wild beast whom
you have Gagged"
"Barred-cagedp' said the buccaneer
raising his eyebrows. "You have free
dom TO wander where you will"
| BAIL freedom cried Humphrey
sprnging up. Course you! why don't
strange you where you stand?"
At that moment there was rustlina
among the leaves outside the window
and Humphrey burst into mockinl
laugh.
How braver' he cried. 1.-THE yucca
neer captain comes to see his unarmct
prisoner, and his guards wait od'sid
the doorway, while another party stop b,
the window, ready to spring in
The buccaneers face turned OF deep
dull red-the glow of annoyance. as h
strobe to the window and exclaimed
ferccly:
"Why are you here? Cor
"Iiut--"
go. Bart" said the buccaneer, NOR,
quietly. Captain Armstrong will no
iIiure me-"
There was heavy rustling sount
among the leaves and the buccannel
made as IL to go to the great curtain
but he checked himself, turned, AMI said
smiling sadly:
Captain Armstrong will believe me
when ! tell him that there is no one out
! thtlt' tOuic' DIT, ybu nave sent IOF me
You have thought well upon all / said
All this has been so much angry petu
lance and you are ready to take me by
the hant-to become my friend. No, no
hear me You do not think of wnat ycuI
life here may be-"
THAT OF pirate-a murderer!' cried
Humphrey. scornfully.
NO." said the buccaneer, flushing once
more. 81 am rich. All that can be some
thing of the past. This land Is mine
and here we can raise up a new nation
for my followers are devoted TO me
Come! are we to be friends"
Friends" cried Humphrey, scornfu
ly-"a new nation-your people devoted
why, man, | sent for you to warn your
"You-to warn meY'
"Yes. One OF your followers is plot
ting against you. He has been address
ing your men, and IL you don't take care
you will be elevated over your people il
a way more lofty than pleasant TO the
king of a new nation"
Il understand your sneers, sir" SAID
the buccaneer, quietly; and there wa,
more sadness than anger in his tone
They are unworthy OF the brave MAJ
who has warned me of a coming danger
and they are from your lips, sir, not from
the heart OF the grave adversary hav,
vowed to make my friend"
Humphrey WINGED for the calm, re
proachful tone reused him, and he stoo,
there frowning as the buccaneer wen
on.
AS to the plotting against me, am al
ways prepared for that. A man in N,
position makes many enemies. Even yol
have yours"
"Ies-you," cried Humphrey.
mo; am friend. There, thank 20,
for your warning. 1t is proof, thougl
you do not know it, that the gap between
us grows less. Some day. Captain Arm
strong, you will take my hand. We shal
be friends"
Humphrey remained silent as the buC
cancer left the chamber, and, once NOR
alone, the prisoner asked himself IL thi
was true-that he had really hidden fare
, well TO civilization forever, and this wa
=, to be his home. this strange compound q
savage fierceness and gentle friendlines
his companion to the end?