Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-12-29
ing tea overheard from Grih5n's

did not doubt 1T Tor one molAeul.
And there was the famous Weasel, too,
that little shriveled comrade of his,
both corresponding exactly to their de-
scriptions which had read in the Bos-
ton book.
WELL" asked the forest runner, with
a chuckle, do you still think yourself
lucky?"
I managed to say that l thought
was, but my lack of enthusiasm sent
the big fellow into spasms Of smother
ed laughter.
Now, now, be sensible" he said.
you know you've a belt full of golu,
q string of good wampum in your sack
and as pretty rifle as ever l saw.
And you still think yourself in lucki
And you're supping with Jack Mount!
And the Weasel's watching everything
from yonder hazel bunch? And Saul
Shemuels pretending to be asleep un.
der that pine tree? Why, Mr.. Cardi.
gan, you amaze me" he lisped mock.
ingly.
So the little Hebrew had recognized
me after all. l swallowed lump IN
my throat and rose to my elbow. With
Jack Mount beside me, Walter Butler
prowling outside the fire ring, and
alone, stripped of every weapon, what
in heavens sight was left for me to
do? Truly. l had jumped into that
same fire which burns below all fry
ing pans and presently must begin
a-roasting too.
$50 they say | take the kings high
way, eh?" observed Mount.
They say so,' l replied sullenly.
He burst out petulantly: Il never
take rebel purse! The next fool you
hear call me cutpurse, tell him that
to stop his mouth withal!'
He turned roughly on me- demanding
what brought me into the forest, but
I shook my head, lips obstinately COM
| pressed.
"Won't tell, eh?" he growled.
zone things plain as Shemuel's nose
yonder," he said, jerking big thumb
toward the sleeping peddler YOU'RE
kings man if I'm a kings highway.
man, and I'll be cursed if you go free
| WlIAOul USIlCl ASSOuAAIlAAS3 lhuh q
wag o your nead''
Cade Renard, the Weasel, had come
up while Mount was speaking, and his
bright little eyes cleaned ruby rec
in the fire glow as he scanned nj
warily from head to toe.
whats his business?" he inquired
Of Mount 1--WE searched his pacl
again, and l can't find anything ex
cept the wampum belts. What is he
Jack"
I Don't know" replied Mount. mo
worth the plucking, anyhow. Take hi
wampum belts, all the same" he add
ed, with terrific yawn.
'If you are patriot" 1 said DIES
. perately, "you will leave me my belt
and NEEDLE only with your own al
J fairs"
: Both men turned and looked at m
curiously.
"You are no patriot" said Noun
; after silence. 50
"Why not?" persisted.
"Aye-aye-why and why not?" yawl
ed Mount 81 don't know, if you won
tell. The devil take you, for aught
care! But you won't get your belts
why not?" repeated, chokir
down my despair.
Because you'll talk with your bel
to some Of these Indians hereabouts
/ he grinned, land 1 want to know VIII
). you've got to say to them first
s 81 tell you that my belts mean I
a harm to patriots!' I repeated frml
"You say l am no patriot. / deny
n am better patriot than you or
IS should not be in this forest todayv'
At the same moment 1 saw dal
t. figure step just within the outer Fl
: ring, holding up one arm as sign
is peace. The man was Walter Butte
1t 1 dropped back softly into the shade
III Of the thicket.
10 Slowly Jack Mount strolled aroul
lie the rim of the fire circle, rifle lying
the hollow of his left arm. He halt
of few PAGES from Butler and sign
re for him to remain where he stood.
ct "Well, Captain Butler" he drawlt
'e "what can do for you?"
til "You know me, sir?' replied Butt
III without the faintest trace of surpr
AZ in his colorless voice.
AYE, we all know you" repli
Mount quickly, "even in your Iroqu
dress"
ne After silence Butler said: "You |
OF Intentionally misled me last evenil
70 friend The man l follow did not cr'
IS the river, as you supposed. l am h
ne on business of my Lord Dunmore
ed am here to arrest young man W
Ell is supposed to lie hidden in your car
l call on you, sir, whoever you are,
go aid me in execution of the law"
at 1.-The law!" said Mount, laughing.
al suppose you bring warrant, do )
ur not, Captain Butler?"
90 ~ do" said Butler, moving forw'
and holding out paper. Mount tt
cd it, and while he read it he deliberat
'ss showed Butler back with his elbow
no where he had been standing, Grove
AIS him back before his huge, outstretcl
us arm, coolly scanning the warrant
while. And Butler could not avoid
he giant save by retreating, step by 81
=