Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-04-25
CHAPTER ~.
CONTINUED.


from these and from Dick Becket's
stories that he has obtained the main
facts IN connection with Rev Max
Burns's sojourn in the region OF
Honey island. The information IS
meager enough touching the old mans
motive: but this lack naturally came .
OF his rcticence aud caution IN com /
municating with the people who \
treated him 50 kindly. Supplement- /
ing the fddler's "Reminiscences and 7
the "RecOyis"-most OF which have 7.
TO do with the exploits of various out F.
laws. from Rameau. Bafitte. Murrell /
and Copeland. down 20 Rubc Eurrow
aud Eugene Buuch-the rccollecii0ns
OF Orlando Favre. a very old half
breed Indian, who died some fifteen
years ago, have been relied upon, but,
after all, the facts are meager and
scattering. Indeed, what has already
been told in the present chapter can
not be added to- The further advcn-
lures Of Max Burns. in so far as they
will bc found OF importance IN this
story, viii be looked for at another
stage or our progress.
We must now return to the bay OF
Saint Louis, where we left Nasseur
and Fairfax enduring as best they
could a situation at once awkward and
irving in the extreme. To be bound
and gagged could be borne after a
fashion. so long as the evil was en-
forced by an irresistible enemy; more
over. since every moment added tho
torture OF cruelty tight-drawn cords
90 wrists and ankles. the first part Of
the ordeal was much milder than the
latter part: but when 1t came 90 lying
prone. stin and spcechless while a
great fire ragged almost over them IL
was the unbearable that had 20 be
borne: 1t was torture too exnsperating
for even the temper OF Fairfax. He
too gave way TO violent ''paroxysms
OF silence, as he afterward expressed
it.
When Vasscur was at length re-
leased, he was too weak and benumbed
by the pressure of the bonds and
by the exhaustive wrath-passion that
he had INDUCED in for his cuffs 10 do
much harm: hut hc distributed both
with unstinted liberality as he limped
and hoped wildly about amongst the
negroes.
7
II were burned 70 ashes IN an in
credibly short time Fairfax could
not repress a smile when he found
that his traveling-bag containing hi.
clothes had been saved, while In.
sketches and his weapons-his pistols
and his gun, rifle of great value
had been overlooked and left 20 b'
destroyed. rs for Nasseur his mind
what little of il was presently avail
able. ragged with the memory of In
lost treasure OF Jewels. He screame.
IN French, he screeched in italian
and through it all ran something
about having been betrayed an'
robbed by an individual who owed hin
an eternal debt of gratitude. All this
considering that the man was still /
his night-clothes, of which a re
night-cap was "A most conspicuous gar
ment. would have been highly anus
ing at any other time; aud even now
at its worst. it was weirdly, almos
Economically, comical.
Fairfax dressed himself forthwith
and then stood, with his hands in hi
pockets, staring at the scene, as on
does when one feels especially pei
picked and helpless in the midst ,
sudden disaster. lie turned quick,
however. when Vasseur came nea
The little fellow could scarcely spea
intelligibly, and the froth OF excit
ment was clotted on his lips.
''lJ was Eat Pierre Rameau"
cried, not forgetting to air his En-
lish even in this extremity. ~
villaine. Eat rObbairei He ste
evaretingl lie burn my maison;
care OF my proprietyw
Usually 1t was not hard for Fairfs
20 find words; but now he could fran
no suitable comment on this occasion
He stood looking at his swarthy lit
host. and smiling half mechanical
without moving his lips 10 make hi
response. There was pathos as we
as comedy in the situation.
The negroes, men, women al
children, gathered in awe-stru,
groups TO gaze on the fire, makii
their remarks in undertones, Il
women crying aud the little on
clinging 10 the skirts of their mother
"Ahl Re yillainei Za scoun'r,
re robbairel OH All All All! \
jewelsl My pretty iewelsl' st
walled Vasseur, after the house W
white ashes and the sun had come
from the sea like great round flow
of flame MY precious stonesl
beautiful crOssl Ny money! Z
are all gone-gonel he cook ze
Oh, Re perfde vagabonew
When Fairfax had pulled hims
together sufficiently TO consider