The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1906-01-17

brows.
II have some knowledge, proud
Frenchman. of what belongs to gentle
man know how to defend my honor,
and punish impertinence,' rejoined Al
Ian.
"You are there. are you? You carry
1t bravely. I'll humor your mood, my
doughty rustic, and though you are not
my equal. / will meet you on equal
terms. Have you pistols, worthy Al
ian?'
Il have. and you may take your choice
of the pair" answered the hunter, calm
| ly.
''Let us walk yonder, then. out Of
hearing of the settlers, and adjust this
little affair."
The two now diverged from the rivers
bank, lie Bland leading the way. Push
ing aside the bushes at every step and
passing over some pretty rough ground
they soon reached large growth of
wood free from underbrush and brakes,
and emerging from that they stood on
the border of one of the beautiful levels
characteristic of the country.
Allan paused to admire the natural
beauty of the spot, and the Frenchman
observed him askance. While the parties
stood thus a small bird alighted on
willow bush at about a distance of ten
PAGES.
"I'll trouble you for one of those pis-
tolls, SIR said lie Bland quietly.
Allan instantly complied with his re-
quest, and gave him his choice of
brace OF well furnished pistols with rifle
| barrels. The Frenchman took one OF
them and remarked, with his usual court
liness of style, that he was considered
very good shot, but want Of practice
had untitled him for nice shooting"
! With these words, and smiling again
| he raised the weapon, fired without much
apparent care, and the bird fell dead.
Rather clumsly done for me.
should have shot his head off; but it is
all owing to want of practice Be good
enough to load it, young man, and we
will soon finish this business" added
lie Bland carelessly, but at the same
time glancing stealthily at Allan to OBJ
| serve the effect of the shot.
at is one thing to shoot at a bird
and another to shoot human being" re-
| piled the hunter coolly. Such a feat
does not surprise me; I have done as
much myself. But there is one art in
which | have never been emulous to eX-
eel; / allude to the art of dissimula-
| ton"
Rash and foolish boy! You have pro-
voked your fate. Your tone and manners
are highly offensive and add greatly to
| the sin of your first rudeness," retorted
lie Bland, angrily.
Il care nothing for the loftiness which
| you affect; | only remember the cause
| Of this quarrel You offend an insult
| to a young and beautiful maiden. | APP
| pear as her champion, and will abide the
result, whatever it may be-" answered
| the hunter, firmly.
lie Bland measured the ground by
! PAGES; and then walked back to his for
| mer position.
"Who will give the signal to fire, since
we have no seconds?" asked Allan.
81 win arrange that. | have an alarm
watch which strikes any given time, by
a regulated movement. l will set it so
that it will strike in precisely two min
utes."
lie Bland drew repeater from his
pocket and proceeded to set it with much
nonchalance. When he had done so, he
hung it by the chain upon a bush. A
minute of deathlike silence elapsed, when
the Frenchman suddenly dropped his
weapon and exclaimed:
''The game is upr'
Norwood instinctively turned his gaze
toward the spot upon which lie BANDS
eyes were fastened, and perceived man
of figure bold and striking He was
dressed in deerskin hunting shirt and
leggings, and his feet were encased in
Indian moccasins. The handle of hunt
ing knife, the blade of which was thrust
into sheath under the wallet, was vis-
BILE, while in his right hand he held
rifle.
IT'S Daniel Boonew cried LIE Bland,
Put up your pistols, and we will defer
this business until another time; for /
do not wish TO incur his dspeasure.'
Allan mechanically placed his weapon
in its accustomed place, and then Daniel
Boone approached toward them
mir. LIE Bland, what means this?"
"Pantomime, sir; nothing but panto-
mime," replied lie Bland somewhat dis
concerted by the reproving glances Of
the far-famed forester.
'Let it end thus, sir, for we want no
more blood shed than absolute neces-
sity requires. | perceive that there is a
quarrel between you and this young
stranger; but drop 1t right here, and let
it go no further. If you are wise, you
will take my advice, for I assure you
that your friends at the settlement yon-
der are not numerous"
The Frenchman REDEEMED, and for a
moment was embarrassed by the sharp
tones and keen glances of the pioneer.
'As you will, Captain Boone | yield
to your cooler Judgment" he said at
length.
Boone stood for few seconds as if
lost in reflection, and then turning alb
ruptly to Allan, added, with much frank
ness.