The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-09-17

The English commander has offered
fine terms to Lafitte, and"
eta! I know. Bnt even LATTE
will not accept. He has reported to
Claiborne. "
Reported to Claiborne"
Yes" Vernon affirmed.
Loriug turned his eyes toward the
ceiling with slow, thoughtful mo-
tion, as if revolving q new perple1ity.
"Who told you this?" he presently
demanded.
"Vasseur."
"Vasseur"
eyes, he is here. He acted as 60
between in the matter. He brought
Latitte's message to tho governor.
"And how came Vassenr here?"
eta! I hadn't told you about his
being robbed?"
"No."
"Pierre Rar1eau and his gang robbed
him of oil his money and took his
jewels" :"
Loring laughed rehectively.
"Poor little wretch" he said.
"That went hard with him, I know"
eyes. But he'll have his revenge.
lie his laying his plans we'll. Rameau
is in the city, he says, and the whole
fraternity of freemen Of color is sworn
to kill him, They are drawing their
lines close around him."
Loriug threw up his head, and his
eyes became as two long, cleaning
Sits, while the angles Of his jaws pre-
truded like cats.
'But what are you going to do? I.
is time to act," Mr.. Vernon inquired.
"Not much of anything, probably
report to Jackson with gun, muz-
zle foremost. maybe"
He arose az if to go, but stood
awile twirling his hat and locking
straight into the old mans eyes. 4
touch Of something like tenderness
such CLEAN as you see in dogs
eyes when he gazes at his master
came in his impenetrable face, when,
as last, hs put forth his hand.
Goodbye" no said.
Mr.. Vernon clutched the hand and
wrung it, but said nothing.
Is Loring went forth from the
house, he met Vasserr coming in.
The men glared at each other. Vas.
seur showed both terror and surprise,
and was evidently glad that Lorins
was in the humor to pass him by.
The latter did not swerve o hairs !
breadth from his course, and the lit
tie Frenchman had to shy aside quick.
ly to avoid being trampled under foot.
''Is Pierro Rameau your frieud?"
cried Vssseur, in French, as soon a:
he came into Mr.. Vernon's presence,
his voice husky and raspiag.
"Pierro Rameau! What do you
mean, you little scamp"
"Did you not see him? He came |
out of here this moment! I met him
at the gatc!"
"No?"
"But yes. yes, this minute-Picrre
Rameau"
Vasseur was trembling violently,
On the moment, there was sudden |
wtirl of thoughts in Mr.. Vern5n's
brain. Could it be? He grabbed his
beard with one hand and, with the
other pressed hard upon his forehead,
stood motionless, every feature strain
ing and every limb rigid. BE. was re.
fecting uith tho power and intensity
of sudden conviction.
After q little while, however, Ee
mastered himself and demanded Vas
seur's business.
"I have not any business" faltered
the little man. II saw Pierre Rameau
come in here and"
'You are liar"
Mr.. Vernon held hicl by the throat
and made him stand on tiptoe.
"You call my-ny friend Pierre
Rameau again, and I'll kill you, you
dog!"
1t was the first time in many years
that he had given away to rash OF
anger.
Vasseur. unable to stand when re-
leased, sanl: into a chair.
Forgive me, Yasseur," caid Mr..
Vernon in the next breath. II did
not mean to hurt you. 1 was angry.
That mau was not Pierre Rsmeau. DO
was Colonel Loring."
"Then you did not see the man I
speak Of" insisted Vasseur, doggedly.
"I met Pierre Rameau coming out as
came in. I had tracked him-foi-
lowed him here. I saw him coma in,
and I waited long for him to CONT
out. /"
Mr.. Vernon interrupted him with
au impatient wave Of the hand.
There is some mistake"
Vasseur's cunning would not let him
be deceived, but he felt some danger
GUS mystery lowering close to him
aad did not care to take further risk
in penetrating it, A mind like his il
quick, nimble, shifty, 1t must be in
orcer to give it fair chance. More
over, il cuts straight through some