Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-02-12

J
his nscd was thrown out high in front
of him as Ia came on, calling out to
those in the stream. He heard the
command of the leader in the boat
\ and moment later both canoes
swung inshore.
Have down your guns, Sir
Arthur" cried Law, loudly and gaily.
1--WE are none but friends here. Come
in, and tell me that it is yourself, and
not some miracle of mine eyes,"
The young man so surprisingly adj
dressed half started from the thwart
in his amazement. His face bent into
an incredulous frown, scarce carrying
comprehension, even as he approached
the shore. AS he left the boat, for an
instant .Pembroke's hand was half ex-
tended in greeting, yet swift change
came over his eountenance, and his
body stiffened.
rs st indeed you, Mr.. Law?" he
said. Il could not have believed my
self so fortunate"
tbs myself and no one else," re-
piled Law. "But why this melodrama,
Sir Arthur? Why reject my hand?"
Il have sworn to extend to you no
hand but that bearing a weapon, Mr..
Law!" said Pembroke. "This may be
an accident, but it seems to me the
justice of God. oh, you have run far,
Mr.. Law"
what mean you, Sir Arthur" ex-
claimed Law, his face assuming the
dull red of anger. II have gone where
pleased, and asked no mans leave for
it, and l shall live as please and ask
no mans leave for that. admit that
1t seems almost a miracle to meet you
here, but come you one way or the
other, you come best without riddles,
and still better without threats"
"You are not armed" said Sir Ar
thur He gazed at the bronzed figure
before him, clad in fringed tunic and
leggings of deer hide; at the belt with
little knife and ak, at the gun which
now rested in the hollow of his arm.
Law himself laughed keenly.
"Why, as to that" said he, 81 had
thought myself well enough equipped.
B as for sword, it's true my hand
is more familiar, these days, with the
AK and gun"
1.-THE late Jessamy Law shows change
in his capacity of renegade" said Penn
broke, raspingly. His face displayed a
scorn which jumped ill with the ma
ture of the man before him.
IL am what l am, Sir Arthur" said
Law, land what was. And always at
NJ hN fc In, %
what you call Gods justice, or what
may call personal satisfaction. l
doubt not we shall find my other trink-
cts IN good order not Iar away. But
meantime, before you turn my hospi-
tally into shame, bring on your men
and follow me-"
His face working with emotion, Law
turned away. He caught up the body
of the dead buck, and tossing it across
his shoulders, strobe up the winding
pathway.
Come, Gray, and Ellsworth" said
Pembroke. Get your men together.
We shall see what there is to this"
At the summit of the river-bluff Law
awaited their arrival. He noted in ST.
lence the look of surprise which crossed.
Pembrokes face as at length they came
into view of the little panorama of the
stockade and it's surroundings.
"This is my home, Sir Arthur" said
he simply. "These are my fields. And
see, if l mistake not, yonder is some
proof of the ability of my people to
care for themselves"
He pointed to the gateway, from the
loop-holes guarding which there might
now be seen protruding two long dark
barrels, leveled in the direction of the
approaching party. There came a call
from within the palisade, and the sound
of men running to take their places
along the wall. Law raised his hand
and the barrels of the guns were low
cred.
This. then, is your hiding-place!"
said Pembroke.
II call it not such. IT'S public to the
world"
flush! You lack not in the least of
your old conceit and assurance, MIR
Law" said Pembroke.
Nay, l lack not so much in assur-
ance of myself" said Law, "as in my
patience, which l find. Sir Arthur,
now begins to grow bit short about
its breath. But since the courtesy of
the trail demands somewhat, say to
you, there is my home. Enter it as
friend If you like, but If not, come as
you please. Did you indeed come bear
ing war, should be obliged to signify
to you, Sir Arthur, that you are my
prisoner. You see my people,"
"Sir," replied Sir Arthur, blindly, 81
have vowed to find you no matter
where you should CO."
ut would seem that your vow is we'll
fulfilled. But, now, since you deal in
mysteries, l shall even ask you defin-
itely, Sir Arthur, who and what are
you? Why do you come hither, and
how shall we regard you?"
II am, in the first place." said Sir
Arthur, messenger of my lord Bello-
mont, governor at Albany of our Eng
lish colonies. ! add my chief errand.
which has been to find Mr.. Law, whom
I would hold to an accounting"
ooh, granted" replied Law, Ticking
lightly at the cuff of his tunic, yet
your errand still carries mystery
"You have at least heard of the
Peace of Ryswick, presumed"
mo; how should 1? And why should
/ care?"
"None the less, the king of England
and the king of France are no longer
at war, nor are their colonies this side
of the water. There are to be no more
raids between the colonies of New
England and New France. The Hurons
are to give back their English pris-