Idaho Springs siftings., 1905-01-28
skiiful sailors and brave fighters. II
thew captured a shin hyfnC the nag pf


they captured ship flying the nag OF
hostile country. the prize was, nc-
cording to circumstances, taken into
port for condemnation or destroyed at
orce But. whatever might be the
nationality OF a richly laden vessel en-
eountered by the BLACK Petrei." the
colors 1t few Rad but little effect in
deciding its fate. or that of its crew.
ln all these various schemes Latte
WAS en- interested party; and. In ear
lier years, he had been an actual par
ticirant in prosecuting some of them.
his ability and skin being such that
while still urder twenty. he became
aro's trusted lieutenant. upon whom
devolved all duties to which the for
mer was unable or inadequate to give
his personal attention.
TIE tall. handsome lad of Langue
dec. Paris and Toulon had developed
into a man possessing rare gifts OF per
son and mind. together with store
Of energy and resource which would
have won success In any avenue of
life Himself a stranger TO personal
fear. he was quick to recognize brav-
cry in another, and his chivalrous ma
ture was never unresronsive To ap-
peals from his less fortunate fellows.
Such was Jean LATTE at thirty. and
such. In brief. had been his life during
this period-one so filed with events
and adventures as to make his earlier
years. and the actors IN them, more
or less dim, according as they had
aSed themselves upon the receptive
element of his nature.
Even Laro. the bluff and picturesque
sailor who had exerted so strong an
| influence upon the lad when they met
at lie Chen Heureux, was hardly rec
oguizahle in the crafty and unscrupu-
| lous adyenturer with whom later
years had made him SO familiar. and
with whom he was now forced to be
In such close contact.
AS for Bonaparte. he had become
Napoleon. the monarch TO whom
crowns were baubles. and thrones
were playthings; who had recast the
continent ef Europe and opened A
new chapter in the history OF france.
Jean had received no word from him
| after the letter delivered by the
| hands of Pere Huot: and grievous
had been the boys disappointment as
the months passed without bringing
any sign of remembrance from the
man who was the one greatest love
| OF his life.
But hts was a strong and healthful
nature-buoyant and vibrant: and. as
the time wen. by. the acute edge OF
his grief bad been worn away. TO be
I a. III 49,
! He had been forsaben by him whom
he loved: and. accepting this as a
fact he had relinquulshed every hope
OF a future reunion.
| All this had It's natural effect: and.
| coupled as II was with a vague but
unchsnging determination to follow
the career OF adventure which had
been his boyish purpose in lifo. the
| personality Of Benaparte became less
and less real. until all that renal. 2 /
was a love which was in itself large
~ an abstraction.
Margot was still reality to him be.
cause OF her representing so much OF
| motheriy care. and by reason of her
| ever manifested love. of which lie had
found much to remind him in the un.
obtrusive loyalty and devotion OF
| Pierre.
| The latter was now the only targi.
BILE tie connecting Jean Lafitte with
| his boyhood-big-hearte brave Pierre.
| sluggish In thought. but sound Of
| judgment and clear OF purpose: strong
Of arm and mighty In action. who now.
as ever. stood at the side OF his foster.
brother. He had. some two years be-
| fore. abandoned his sea-faring life
and. In partnership with Jean. estab-
lished large smithy at New Orleans.
where the firm OF Lafitte Brothers had
become well and favorably known
| through the work turned out by their
skilled slaves.