The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-03
ARRIVING.
CHAPTER III.

self asking. a strange voice sounding far
down the throat.
From an INDIAN the mystic told me
quietly. He said it was bad medicine
for him. He never had any luck IN
hunting after it fell to his share, so he
was glad to give 1t to me-"
'Where did he get it?'
His tribe took it from some prisoners
they killed.
Twas running blindly around In circle
to find relief from the news he dealt me.
when the absurdity Of such news overlook
me. I stood and laughed.
''Who were the prtsoners?'
IT don't know" answered Johnny Ap-
pleseed.
''How do you know the Indians killed
them
1.-THE one that gave. me this book told
me So
There are plenty Of padlocked books
in the world,'' I said. jauntily. AT least
there must be more than one. How long
ago did 1t happen?'
mot very long ago, I think; for the
book was Clean"
''Give 1t to me- said, as If I cursed
him.
tits a sacred book" he answered. hest
tating.
Maybe it's sacred. Let me see."
''There may be holy mysteries in it.
to be read only Of him who has the key"
II have key!"
took 1t out Of the snuffbox. Johnny
Appleseed fixed his rapt eyes on the little
object In my fingers.
"Mebby you are the one appointed to
open and read what Is sealed!'
mo. I'm not! How could my key fit a
paddock. 1t was small steel paddock.
and the hole looked dangerously the size
OF nay key.
II can't do it!' said.
'Let me try" said Johnny Appleseed.
Mat Va. >lx~t,k II II tn n
strange paddock! Hold it still, Johnny.
Please don't shake it."
I'm not shaking It," Johnny Apple
seed answered. tenderly.
There's only one way Of proving that
my key doesn't it," I said, and thrust 1t
In. The ward turned easily, and the pad
lock came away in my hand. I dropped 1t
and opened the book. Within the lid a
name was written which had copied a
thousand times-"Eagle Madeleine Marie
de Ferrier."
Still did not believe it. Nature pro-
tects us in uttermost losses by a
density through which conviction Is
slow to penetrate. In some mys-
FERROUS way the padlocked book
had fallen into strange hands, and had
been carried to America.
IF Eagle were in America. I SHOULD
know it. For De Chaumont would know
it, and Skenedonk would find it out"
I stopped for the paddock, hooked it II
place, and locked the book again.
SIS the message to you alOne?" inquired
Johnny Appleseed.
Did you ever care for a woman?"
asked him.
Restless misery came into his eyes, an,
! noticed for the first time that he wa
not an old man; he could not have bee1
above 35. He made no answer; shifting
from one bare foot to the other his bod
settling and losing it's Indian lightness.
"A woman gave me the key to this book
Her name is written inside the lid.
was to read it If it ever fell into my hands
after a number Of years. Somebody ha
stolen it, and carried it among the Indians
But it's mine. Every shilling in my wal
let, the clothes off my back you're wei
come to" =
Il don't want your money or you
clothes"
But let me give you something in ez
change for It,"
What do I need? I always have q
much as I want. This is a serviceab]
coat as good as any man need wish fol-
and the ravens feed me. And If I needle
anything. could I take it for carrying
message? l carry good tidings of grea
JOY among the people all the time. TIL
Is yours. Put it in your pocket"
hid the padlocked book in the brea.
OF my coat and seized his wrist and h
hand.
BE Of good courage, white double
man. said Johnny Appleseed 1.-THE Lor
lift up the light Of His countenance upc
you, the Lord make His face to shine upc
you and give you peace!"
He returned to his side of the fire ar
stretched himself under the stars, and
went to Croghan's quarters and lay dow
With my clothes on in the bunk assignt
to me.
The book which I would have rent one
at ~, l now carried unsealed The su
pense Of it was so sweet. and drew ~
thoughts from the other suspense viii,
could not be endured. 1t was not like
that any person about Mont-Louis h,
= stoien the book. and wandered so fs
sman as the volume was, the boards l.
dented my breast and made me increa
1ngly conscious of its presence wax
In the night and held it.
Next monring Johnny Appleseed W
gone from the fort, unafraid of war. be
only on CARRYING the apple of civilizati
his absence, for shells begun to fall arou
u.s. The British and Indians were in siel
ana General Proctor sent a flag Of tru
demanding surrender
MAJOR Croghans ensign approached +
messenger with a flag in reply.
The women gathered their children
chlckens under shelter All in the f.
were cheerful, and the men joked with +
nush or humor which danger starts
americans, I saw then the ready Ian
SAAee| Ae'SSu LII us season what was call
Indian summer, because the Indian to
then advantage of the late plea "a
weather to make raids Such pfonee
+ could speak lightly even of powwowi
t1me-the first pleasant February d.,
when savages held councils before 8
scendlng on the settlements
Major Croghan and watched the pa,rl
from one Of the blockhouses that bs
toned the place. Before it ended st
vance spraDg out of ravine a
snatched the ensign's sword. He gave
back reluctantly, and the British f
bearer hurried the American within
gates.
General Proctor regretted that 80 fine
young man as Major Croghan should
into the hands of savages who were :
- - restrained
when the fort is taken,' sadi Crogh
on hearing the message, there will be +
body left in it to kill"
British gunboats drawn up on the So
dusky river, and howitzer on the sho
opened fire, and cannonaded all day w
the poor execution Of long range artille
The. northEes5c7n angle OF the fort y
their target. Croghan foresaw that
enemys intention was to make a. bres
and enter there. When night ca
again, his one six-pounder was mo,
with much labor from that angle Il
the southwest blockhouse, as noiseles
as possible. He masked the embras 9,
and had the piece loaded with a dou
charge of slugs and grape shot and h
q oh Of rbo,, e,