The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-01-02
A Brave Coward.
BY Robert Louis Stevenson.
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER 1.-(Continued)
My wife and /, man and woman,
have often agreed 10 wonder how per-
son could be at the same time so hand
some and SO repulsive as Northmour.
He had the appearance of a finished
gentleman; his face bore every mark
of intelligence and courage, but you on
Iy had TO look at him, even in his most
amiable moment, 90 see that he had
the temper 1s 3 slave captain.
/ never knew a character that was
both explosive and revengeful to the
same degree; he combined the yivacity
deadly hatreds Of the North; and both
traits We're plainly written on his face.
which was sort of danger signal. in
person he was tall, strong and active;
his hair and complexion very dark; his
features handsomely designed, but
spoiled by a menacing expression.
At that moment he was somewhat
paler than by nature; he wore heavy
frown; and his lips worked, and he
looked sharply round as he walked, like
a man besieged with apprehensions.
And yet l thought he had look of
triumph underlying all, as though he
had already done much, and was near
the end Of an achievement.
Partly from scruple of delicacy-
which dare say came TOO late-partly
from the pleasure of startling an ac-
quaintance, desired to make my pres
enee known to him without delay.
l got suddenly to my feet, and step
ped forward.
NorthmourD said /.
/ have never had so shocking a sur
prise in all my days. He leaped on me
without a word; something shone in
his hand; and he struck for my heart
with dagger. At the same moment
knocked him head over heels. Wheth-
er II was my quickness, or his own un-
certainty, know not; but the blade
only grazed my shoulder. while the
hilt and his fist struck me violently
on the mouth
fed, but not far. had often and
often observed the capabilities of the
sand hills for protracted ambush on
stealthy advances and retreats: and
not ten yards from the scene of the
scuffie, pumped down again upon the
grass. The lantern had fallen and gone
out. But what was my establishment
to see Northmour slip at bound into
the pavilion, and hear him bar the
door behind him with a clang of iron!
He had not pursued me. He had run
away. Northmour whom / knew for
the most implaca5le and daring Of
men, had run away!
AS / thus stood transfxed, with
wonder, / began to grow painfully con-
scious OF the injuries l had received
In the scuffie; skulked around among
the sand hills; and, by devious path,
regained the shelter of the wood. On
the way, the old nurse passed again
within several yards of me, still car
rying her lantern, on the return jour
ney to the mansion house of Graden
This made a seventh suspicious feature
in the case. Northmour and his guests,
II appeared, we're to cook and do the
cleaning for themselves, while the old
woman continued to inhabit the big
empty barrack among the policies.
There must surely be great cause for
secrecy, when so many inconvenience
were confronted to preserve it.
So thinking, made my way to the
den For greater security, l trod out
the embers of the fire, and lit my Ian
tern to examine the wound upon my
shoulder. It was a trifiing hurt,
though 1t bled freely, and l dressed it
as well as could Cfor its position made
1t difficult to reach) with some rags
and cold water from the spring While
1 was thus busted, / mentally declar-
ed war against Northmour and his
mystery.