Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-01-12
CHAPTER XIIf.

CHAPTER XII1.
A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS.
~ EVERLEY set out on his mid
winter journey to Kaskaskia
with tempest in his heart,
and 1t was perhaps the storms
energy that gave him the courage to
face undaunted and undoubting what
his experience must have told him lay
in his path. What meant suffering to
him If he could but rescue Alice? And
what were life should he fail to rescue
her? The old, old song hummed in his
heart. every phrase Of 1t distinct above
the tumult of the storm. Could cold
and hunger. swollen streams. ravenous
wild beasts and scalp hunting savages
battle him? No; there is no barrier
that can hinder love. He said this over
and over to himself after his rencoun-
ter with the four lpdian scouts Oh the
Wabash. Ii, repe red it with every
Var, beat until he fell in with some
friendly red men. who took him to their
camp. where. to his great surprise, he
met NJ. Roussillon. 1t was his song
when again he strobe off toward the
west on his lonely way.
He did not know that Long Hair and
his band were fast on his track, but
the knowledge could not have urged
him to greater haste. He strained ev-
cry muscle to its utmost, kept every
nerve to the highest tension. Yonder
toward the west was help for Alice.
That was all he cared for.
But if Long Hair was pursuing him
with relentless greed for the reward Of
fered by Hamilton there were friendly
footsteps still nearer behind him, and
one day at high noon while he was
bending over little fire broiling some
liberal cuts of venisOn finger tapped
him OH the shoulder. He sprang up
and grappled Oncle Jazon. AT the same
time. standing near by, he saw Simon
Kenton, his old time Kentucky friend.
The pungled features Of one and the
fine, rugged face of the other swan as
in mist before Beverley's eyes. Ken
ton was laughing quietly, his strong,
upright form shaking to the force or
his pleasure. He was in the early
prime of vigorous life, not handsome,
but strikingly attractive by reason OF a
certain glow in his face and kindly
fash in his deep set eyes.
"Well, well. my boy" he exclaimed
LAYING his left hand OH Beverlcy's
shoulder, while in the other he held
long. heavy rifle. Pm glad to see We.
glad to see ye.'
"Thought we was Injuns. eh?" said
Oncle Jazon. AN ef we had a been
we'd "A been shore O your scalp" The
wizened old creole cackled gleefully.
+, And where are ye goin!" demand
ed Kenton. "Ye're maxim what lacks
heap O. bein' bee line for some
place or other"
Beverley was daZed and vacant mind
ed. Things seemed wavering and dim.
He pushed the two men from him and
gaZed at them without speaking. Their
presence and voices did not convince
him.
Yer meats a-burnin'," said Oncle
Jazon, stopping to turn it on the smol-
dering Goals. "Ye must be hungry.
| Cookin' enough for a regiment.
Kenton shook Beverley with rough
familiarity as if to rouse his faculties.
whats the matter? Fitz, my lad,
don't We know 81 Kenton? It's not so
.ong since we were like brothers. and
now We don't speak to me. Ye've not
forgotten me. Fitz"
"Mebby he don't like ye as well as
We thought he did" drawlod Oncle
Jazon. ~ hev known O fellers a-bein'
mistaken jes' thet way"
Beverley got his wits together as best
he could, taking in the situation by
such degrees as seemed at the time un'
duly slow, but which were really mere
momentary falterings.
"Why, Kenton! Jazon" he presently
exclaimed. a cordial gladness blending
with his surprise. How did you get
here? Where did you come from"
He looked from one to the other back
and forth, with wondering smile
breaking over his brOnzed and deter
mined face.
We've beer hot on yer trail for thir-
ty hours" said Kenton. "Roussillon
put us on 1t back yonder. But what
are We up to? Where are ye goin Z
I'm going to Clark at Kaskaskia TO
bring him yonder" He waved his
land eastward. Il am going to take
vincennes and kill Hamilton"
well. ye'se takin' mighty queer
course, my Toy. IL ye ever expect 10
find Kaskaskia. Ye're already twenty
miles too far south"
"Carryin' his gun on the same shoul
der all the time" said Oncle Jazon
has made I'm kind O. swing In curve
like. 'Tain't good luck nohow 20 carry
yer gun on yer lef shoulder. When
We do Il meks ye take a longer steT
with yer right foot than We do with
; yer ler, an We can't walk straight
} line TO save yer liver. Ventrebieu! Ia
venaIson brule encore, Look at thai
dasted meat burnin' ag'inr'
He jumped back TO the IRE to turr
the scorchirg cuts.
Beverley wrung kenton's hand anc
looked into his eyes as a man does
, when an old friend comes suddenly on
OF the past. so 10 say. and brings th'
, freshness and comfort of strong. true
soul TO brace him in his hour Of great
est need.
"Of all mer I'm the world, Simon Ken
ton, you were the least expected. bu
how glad am. how thankful Now
!, know shall succeed. We are going L
!. capture vincennes. KentOn. are w
not? We shall. shan't we. Jazon