Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-03-22
CHAPTER XIV.


Joel Logston reached BOonesbOrough
much exhausted from the loss of blood
but he was not so weak as to be un
able to give a very extraordinary ac
count of what had TRANSFERRED
The restraint which had been imposed
upon the Frenchmans actions proved by
no means agreeable. He felt that he
was in danger, and that many of his
plans were likely to fail. He attributed
| all his present difficulties to young Nor
| wood, and resolved to be fully revenged
| upon him. He paced the rough floor Of
| the block-house until near midnight, de-
vising plans Of escape and retaliation.
The pioneers were in their cabins,
| and the Frenchman was the sole occu-
pant Of the structure. The door which
opened into the inclosure was guarded
by Andrew, who was soon to be relieved
by Exquisite Ebony. That 1t would be
possible to corrupt the simple black and
escape was an idea that naturally crept
Into the mind Of LIE Bland. The result
Of this conception was the following con-
versation between the parties.
"Andrew?" said the Frenchman, In a
low voice, putting his mouth to a loop
hole.
The honest African was somewhat
comatose at that time; but the sound
instantly aroused him, and caused him
to look around in alarm. LIE Bland re-
peated the name.
Am dat you spokin?" said Andrew.
The prisoner answered In the afirma-
tive without delay.
Don't dress yerself to me-" returned
Andrew, with some loftiness Of manner.
The Frenchman gnashed his teeth
with anger, and wished, for the moment,
above all other things, for the privilege
Of wringing the negro's neck.
"But, my good Andrew, this misfor-
tune of mine should not interrupt our
friendship" added the prisoner In a dep
recating tone.
"Dis chile am berry much fat-i-gued,
and doesn't want to hear no low re-
marks" said Andrew, yawning.
Come, Monsieur Andrew, don't be
hard on a person who has been unfortu-
nate"
"Stop dat talkin' dar; I'm gwine to de-
compose some poetry. What will rhyme
wird Skies you French Teller in darY
asked Andrew after short silence.
Eyes" replied lie Bland, thinking
that perhaps 1t would be better to humor
his mood
"Dar fust line am dis" resumed the
negro, "Dar moon am sailin' in de skies"
"But can't compare wild Dinah's eyes,"
added LIE Bland.
"Dat am berry good" quoth Andrew,
much pleased with the lines.
LISTEN" continued the Frenchman:
"I'll assist you to compose some lines on
Dinah's eyes, If you'll just let me out Of
this ridiculous place. Poetry is the sure
road to the female heart Andrew, you
are a poet and a man Of feeling"
"Y-e-s, l know dat" said the negro,
highly gratified by the compliment to his
head and heart.
''The fact Of the case Is, that I am
vilely slandered and villainously ira
duced. 1t Is necessary in order to vim
1icate my character, that l should es-
cape this block house. Now it seems to
me-, that a man Of your sensibility must
pity me, more especially when l assure
you that l will give you a handsome
sum of money for your services"
Money!! exclaimed Andrew, eagerly.
Eyes, Andrew; good, hard, silver
pieces"
dat alters de circumstance. Poke out
les money frew der hole" responded
Andrew readily.
TO be eontinued)