Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-07-14
For L of
Country
CHAPTER v.
| A
By CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY,
Oopvrt0ht, 1898. by Charles 'Scrtbnsr's Som

with drawn sword. with
which he laid about him Justify, strik-
ing some Of the mes with the dat Of 1t, |
threatening others with the point, and.
backing his actions BY the prompt
commands of one not accustomed to be
sainsaid, he soon cleared the space in
front Of her.
slow dare you interfere In this mat
TOR, my lordy' shouted Johnson pas
sionately. 81 command this party. and
Z intend
III know you do" replied the officer.
sand that I am only q volunteer who
has chosen to accompany you, worse
luck! But I am a gentleman and a
lieutenant In his Britannia majesty's
navy, and. by heaven, when see old
men mishandled. and wounded help
less men about to be assasslnated, and
young women insulted, / don't care who
commands the party, I interfere! And
I don't propose to handy words with
any runagate American partisan who
uses his commission to further private
vengeance. And l wear to you, on
my honor. II you do not instantly mod
ify your treatment OF this gentleman
and call or this ragamufin crew. you
shall be court martiaied, IL 1 have any
influence with Dunmore or Parker or
Lord Howe, @ whoever Is In authority,
and I will have the rest Of you hung
n high as Haman. This Is outrage
and robbery and murder. 1t is not
fghting or making prisoners" contin-
ued the young officer. You are not
At to be an officer. and you, you ours,
you disgrace the uniform you wear"
Johnson glanced at his men, who
stood irresolute before him iercely
muttering. A rascally mob Of the low
est class Of people In! the colony, to
whom war siriiHy meant opportunity
for plumber and rapine. they would un-
doubleday back up their leader In their
present mood In any attempt at resist
ance he might make the young officer.
But he hesitated a moment. Desbor-
"ough was a lord, high In the confidence
OF Governor Dunmore, and a man Of
great influence. His own position was
too precarious. the game was not worth
the candle, and the risk OF opposition
was too great
WELL" he said In sulky acQuiescence,
'the men meant no special harm, but
have 1t your wi way. Fall back.
men! AS to what you say to me per-
sonally, you shall answer to me for
that at a more fitting time" he contin-
ued doggedly.
"When and where you please" an
swered Desborough holly, though I'd
soil a sword by passing 1t through you.
What was Dunmore thinking Of when
he put you in charge Of this party and
sent you to do this work, I wonder2
Give your orders to your men to un
hand this gentleman instantly. You
will give your parole, sir? l regret
that WI are compelled to secure your
person, but those were the orders, and
you, madam" turning to Katharine,
81 believe no order requires you to be
taken prisoner, and therefore you shall
60 free"
But Katharine had knelt down by
space In front Of her had been cleared
and was entirely oblivious to all that
was taking place about her.
"Allow me to introduce myself. colo
MEL" he resumed. II am Lord Des-
borough. have often heard my "a
Their, the Earl Of Desmond. An Ireland,
speak Of YOU. 1 regret that we. meet
under such unpleasant circumstances,
but the governors orders must be ear
ried out, though I wish he had sent a
more worthy representative to do 30.
I will see, however, that everything Is
done for your comfort In the future"
"Sir," said the colonel, bowling, you
have rendered me a service I can never
repay. l know your father web. He
is one of the finest gentlemen Of his
time, and his son has this day shown
that he is worthy Of the honored name
he bears. I will go with you cheerful
~, and you have my parole Of honor.
Katharine. you are free; you will be
safe in the house, l think. until I can
arrange for your departure"
She looked up from the floor and
then ros "Oh. father. he is dead; he
II dead" she moaned. Yes. I will 60
with you. Take me away"
"Nay, my child, I cannot"
Enough of thisw broke In the sheer
ing voice Of johnson. "She has been
taken in open resistance to the kings
forces, and, warrant or no warrant, or
ders or no orders. or court martial ei-
ther." this with q malsvolent glance
at D~esborough, "she goes with us 10
. prisoner"
II will pledge my word. Colonel VIII
ION. that no violence IL offered her."
exclaimed Desborough promptly. and
then. turning to Katharine:
trust me. madam"
II do, SIR" she said family, giving
him her hand. "Y0u are very kind"
"It n nothing. mistress" he replied,
bowling low over Il as he raised 1t re-
spsctfully to his lips. II will hold you
cafe with my iife."
VERY pretty" sneered johnson. But
are you comingr~
what shall we do with these two,
captainr' asked the sergeant, kicking
a. ~a~mka~x~ 49, H----. -