The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-05-12

peacefully like a trussed fowl before
the fire.
The baronet smiled and said: ''I'll be
your warrant for his safety. We've had
Dim well guarded from the first, and to-
night he is behind q barred door with
Mr.. Stairs Overscer standing sentry
before it. But as for that. he's barely
out o. bed from my lin-prick."
Having thus disposed of me- they let
me be and came to the graver business
Of the moment, with a toast to lay the
dust before it, 1t was Falconnet who
gave the toast.
Here's to our bully redskins and
their king-how do you call him. Cap
tain stuart? Ocon-Ocona-''
"Oconostota is the Chelakee of it.
though on the border they know him
men, fill up; It's dry business, this.
Allow me, Mr.. Stair; and you. Mr.. --er
-ah-Pengarden. This same old
heather is the kings friend now, but.
gentlemen all l do assure you he's the
very devil himself In a copper colored
skin. Twas he who ambushed us in
go, and but for Attukullakula-"
"Oh. Lord" groaned Falconnet. II
say. captain, drown the names in the
wine and We'll drink them so. 'Tis by
far the easiest way to swallow them
By this. the grizzled captains men,
ton of the old Fort Loudon massacre.
l knew him for that same John Stuart
of the Highlanders who, with Captain
Damare had stoutly defended the from
tier fort against the savages twenty
years before; knew him and wondered
| had not sooner placed him. When l
was but boy. as l could we'll remem-
Der. he had been kings man to the
Cherokees; a sort of go-between In
times Of peace. and In the border wars
man the Indians feared. But now,
as | was soon to learn, he was a man
for us to fear.
"'Tis carried through at last" he
went on, when the toast was drunk.
And then he stopped and held up a
warning finger. This business will not
talk it here, Mr.. Stair"
1t was Falconnet VINO answered.
Safe as the clock. You passed my
sentry II the road''
Yes.
He is the paddock of chain that
reaches round the house. Let's have
your news. captain"
AS I was saying, the Indians are at
one with us. Twas all fair sailing in
the council at Echota: the Chelakees
being to a man fierce enough to dig the
Ratchet up. But l did have the devils
own teapot tempest with my Lord
Charles. He says we have more friends
than enerlies IN the border settlements.
and these our redskins will tomahawk
| them ali alike
l made mental note of this and
wondered If my Lord CORVALLIS had
met with some new change of heart. H :
was not over squeamish as ! had known
him. Their ! heard the baronet say:
But yet the thing is done?"
LAS good as done. The Indians arc
to have powder and lead of us. after
which they make a sudden onfall on
the oVer-mountain settlements. And
that fetches us to your part in 1t. Sir
Frank; and to yours, Mr.. Stair. Your
troop, captain. will be the convoy for
this powder: and you. Mr.. Stair. are
requisitioned to provide the commits
sary.'
There was silence while cat might
wink. and then Gilbert Stair broke in
upon it shrilly.
II cannot, Captain Stuart; that I
cannot" he protested, starting from his
chair. Twill ruin me outright! The
place is stripped-you know it we'll. Sir
Francis-stripped bare and clean by
these thieving rebel militiamen bare
as the back of your hand. 1 tell you!
But the captain put him down in
brief
Enough, Mr.. Stair; we'll not con-
strain you against your will. But it's
limited at headquarters that you are
but fair weather royalist at best
nay, that for some years back you
have been as rebel as the rest in this
| Westinghouse Of traitors. AS a friend
mind you, as a friend-I would advise
you to find the wherewithal to carry
out my lords commands. Do you take
| me, Mr.. Star?"
The trembling old man fell back in
his chair nodding his yes dumbly
like marionette when the string has
been jerked thought too violently.
| and his weasel face was moist and
Clammy l know not what double
dealing he would have been a before
this but it was surely something with
the promise Of rope at the publishing
of 1t.
So he and his factor fell to ciphering
on bit Of paper, reckoning ways and
| means. as l took it, while Falconnet
was asking for more particular or
ders.
You'll have them from headquarters
direct" said Stuart. "Oconostota will
guides. The rendezvous Will be here
Trace"
Then we are told to hold on all and
wait still longer?"
That's the word; wait for the Indians
| and your cargo"
FalcOnnet's oath was Of impati ence.
! "WeYe waited now a month and
more like men with halters round their
| necks. The country is alive with
rebels.
Continued Next Weekly