The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-27

recover her from him.
Alice is compelled to drink wine by the
lieutenant, but just as he attempts to kiss
her Ellery comes in with Benny, his COM
panion. The lieutenant stabs Benny, but in
return is cat down by Ellery, alter short
fight. Aneeb comes in and takes Alice away
The camp having been alarmed Ellery carries
Benny 20 his canoe.
Chapter VII.
THE KNOLL AMONG THE PINES.
The canoe slipped noiselessly into the night;
there no pursuit. Confusion reigned at
the camp; when the sergeant found his wits
the fuSitives were already far away. On the
empowered stream the canoe sped silently for
miles
Benny lay in the bottom of the canoe, noting
the landmarks at Franks description. You'll
come seon,' he said at last, speaking with
difficulty, ''on a great rock. Beyond that-a
little creek. Turn in there
The rock showed, black in the gray night.
Beyond it, Frank turned the nose OF the canoe
into the smaller stream 1t grew narrower
and shallower: before long he stepped out,
and, wading, drew the canoe after him. The
creek at last became mere rocky bed. Lift
me out" said Benny
Above them rose knoll, crowned by great
pines. Frank carried the old man up the as
cent and set him down. at the foot Of a tree.
The sky was scarcely visible; where they
for the ak and sought torch. Before long
the blaze of a pitchknot shone on the old
mans face.
: Benny lay quiet, holding with one hand a
cloth to his side. His wrinkled face was pale;
on his features was no expression of pain,
hut one of peace. He looked up calmly as
Francis knelt beside him. g tbs the end,
lad" he said. " 'Tis slow, but sure feel it
coming. Frank, yell be sorry to part from
me?"
"Oh Benjy!" Frank bent lower, and
clasped in his hands the others head. Tears
fell and mingled with those that came from
tho old mans eyes But they were the last
that Benny shed.
~ Lad. attend he said. II have somewhat
= 70. say. and 81. short time me, = s4s - sa
s. II listen. Benjy. = ... - -
S. Tell Ann" The old man paused.
"Tbere's nothing to say. Her brother $
dead
1--WE shall meet again soon.'
There was silence for a moment while the
old man rested. Then he reused himself
again MY love to Dickie,'' he said. I'm
sorry could not teach him sword play, as
taught you But oh, lad, i was proud of you
tonight When he fell, his head cleft"
II did not kill him. said Frank.
'Not kill him. .. -.-..-. t--J'-
- ''There was too little space for striking
waaat with the corner and the roof. Twas but
a wrist stroke. Yet have marked him. God
give me to meet him again.
Then spare him mott" 2cried Benny IRE
rnernber' His voice suddenly sank.
BENNY cried Frank, apprehensive.
mot yet" cried the old man, with IN
effort. Frank, one more thing. Dig me a
grave. Dig 1t now" =.
Francis obeyed. With AN ak he cut wood
and shaped himself rough spade. He laid
back with it the mat Of pine needles and
came upon the light, moist loan. Then he
began his task, rapidly making a pit neal
the old man, measuring 1t with his eye. He
threw out the dirt. Where roots fnterfered be
cut them with his AK. With no word, painting
IN haste, he worked to please his old com
panion. and marveled to find himself digging
O. grave for q man yet living. Upon him al
his work the laring TORCH upright in the
ground, cast Its broad light Benny lay
watching. From the branches and thickets
the tiny wild things, reused by the noise ant
light looked and wondered. Birds ohirped
then slept again. .e
'' TITS enough" said Benny at last. Franz
was waist deep. Leave off and come to me.
Frank came and knelt again. Benny tool
In his hands the young mans. warm from
their toll. a look Of pleasure glimmered or
the old face. g tbs we'll done Of you, lad.
shall lie in a grave
Fear not Of that
II have feared" said Benny, ito die alone
And then to lie unbumed-to be shifted at t.
the deer-eaten by the foxes-to rot aboy,
ground! LAY, ! have feared. But not now
And an Ellery is with me! I have Away
served the Ellerys. Frank. Your grandfather
the smuggler-your father, the rnerchant--ant
now YOU have served all three
And served we'll. Benny, shall pray?''
Mot yet, he said stanchly. There
no time. Lad, listen. Yell leave thi
matter OF the white girl. Aneeb was angr.
L.
her up again: Go you to Boston; to follow
her Is useless. Leave Detroit wide; max,
for ALBANY. None will remember the mat
ter of wounded lieutenant. Give up tn,
girl and go home"
'tBenjy!''
Think of your brother Dickie He
nearly twenty now, with your uncle Their
to plague him. He needs you. be sure
And what Is your uncle doing all the while
with the property and the business? Dicki
could not be strong against him, as 70,
were
No agreed Francs eadly, But Benny
how can leave the grip
Benjy's voice grew stronger 'If you e
not, frank, you go to danger I'm dying
lad You've heard the dying see clearly
Men will fight over the girl; she was Dor
for a. bone of contention He raised hi
head looking into Franks face with eye
that burned, and finished his warning in
voice OF energy our grave Will De du
in the Wilderness Frank, If We follow he
into the woods
EIe sank back, painting, and his eyes closed
Prank, he gasped-'your hand. Pray
now
They clasped hands Frank prayed "Ou
Father" But no more. Benny died.
There was scant time for mourning Fran
buried Benny in his cloak forcing across tn
pit as he filled it, round spikes from til
boles OF the pines, that no beast should dis
When the grave was finished and mad
emooth he laid over it again the needle car
get he had first turned back. The remainin
earth he cast away; the ground was as If I'm
disturbed.
Then he went to the canoe, took from
everything, made up a pack, and hid in tn
bushes what he did not want The cano
itself he thrust into thicket Then, as h
stood once more by the grave, the light Q