Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-02-09

and holding out paper. Mount took
1t, and while he read II he deliberately
showed Butler back with his elbow 10
where he had been standing. crowded.
him back before his huge. outstretchel
arm. coolly scanning the warrant the
while. And Butler could not avoid the
giant save by retreating. step by step,
beyond the dull red circle and out
against the sky Tine. where bullet
could scarcely miss him.
Mount was now contemplating the
warrant In deep admiration. He held
II out at arms length cooking his head
on one side: he held II upside down:
he turned 1t over: he scanned 1t side.
ways: then he quietly pocketed the
paper and began to whistle and reprime
his rifle.
May | trouble you for that paperY'
asked Butler. with his chilling. sinister
politeness.
There was a pause. Buffers eyes
stole around the campfire. but only the
little Hebrew was now visible. for
lay In the shadow and the Weasel had
ominously vanished.
You do not mean to retain this war
rant STRIP demanded Butler, raising
his sneering voice and searching the
thickets for some sign Of tie ambush
ed Weasel. ut Is a matter Of treason
Come. my good man. aid lne to my
duty In the kings name!''
Mount burst into a shout of laughter
That's it! In the kings name! I've
heard that. too-oh. yes, I've heard
that o. moonlight nights- Then. in a
fash, he wheeled on Butler. snarling.
every tooth barred: Curse you. sir! Do
you take me for your lackey or the
kings hangman?"
Buffers face paled Ina the waning
fire light Presently he said. in bis
slow, even tones: II shall take care
that your good wishes reach the kings
ears. Pray, sir. honor me with your
name and quality. though ! may per
haps guess both"
mo need 70 guess" cut in the big
fellow cheetfully. I'm Jack Mount.
burned tho Gaspee, helped dump his
majesty's tea into Boston harbor, aud
! should be pleased to do as much for
the king himself. Tell him SO, Captain
Butler Tell my Lord Dunmore he can
have ducking, too. at his lordship's
polite convenience"
''Will you deliver me my warrant
and my prisoner demanded Butler.
with a CHASTITY smile.
MOI" said Mount. Make new
trail. you Tory hangman! Marchr"
And he gave him q prod with his rife
Butler backed out into the brush at
the point of Mounts long rifle; then
the red fire glow left him, and he was
gone into the darkness Of early morn
Ing. Presently the Weasel stole after
him.
Mount came staggering back, paus
Ing to drop the warrant on the hot
Goals as he passed. Renard returned
In few minutes, took his rifle and
squatted briskly down Just before the
IRE light. M
As Mount came up TO me rose and
thanked him for the protection he had
given so generously. and be laughed
and laid one padded fist on my shout
der. n. SO
"Hark ye, friend" he said; stake
your Indian belts and your pack and
60 In peace. for II ,Dunmore u after
you the sooner you start north the bet,
ter. Co, lad. I'm not your enemy" !.
II 60 south, replied cautiously. 4
@Oh, ron do, ehf" said Mount, FUN
bling In his pockets for the fiint be had
taken from my ride. Are you bound
for Cresap's camp toor' $3.50
"Are your" asked, reddening. 80.
Fl know Michael Cardigan" observed
the Weasel. quietly coming up. buc,
king on his pack, He's one Of Sir VII,
liam Johnson's household. That &C,
counts for those peace belts Of wan
pun. Shemuel yonder knows the lad
"Ohol' exclaimed Mount, staring at
me. $50 you come on Sir williams
business to the Cayugas7 Ha, now
begin to grasp this pretty. game. Sir
William wishes his Cayugas to sit
tight while. Cresap builds forts"
s'Since when have. You come from
Johnstownr asked. s
"Oh. week after y0u left" replied
the Weasel 1--WE saw your tracks, but
we went another way after the FIRST
week. You lost too much time"
Mount had now hoisted his pack to
his shoulders and stood watching
Shemuel. the Hebrew peddler. strap
ping up his dingy boxes. tucking in bits
of lace and ribbon and cheap fnery.
Mount took my arm in friendly fash
Ion and moved out into the gray woods
"There have been strange doings In
Johnstown since you left" he said. "A
change has come In single week. lad
Neighbors no longer speak; the town
= three parts Tory to one part patriot;
even brothers hate each other. Two
taverns known to be the meeting
places Of patriots have been set aflre
and shot into. ana old John Butler ID
gone north. where. they cay. he h rails
ing bloody. crew, Of cutthroats. ran
gers, half breeds and young Mohawks.
Sir william b holding long talks with
lDrant ana RED Jacket At the upper
castle. Dunmore's suit travelled south
|ths day you LEFT and ought to b In