Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-04-10
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
At a late hour IN the evening Job
Dawson was observed in conversation
with Gen. Marion. frank Forstall was
standing near Ben Rowan, and impr owed
the occasion to ask the latter If he had
'pulverized" the Quaker recently. Ben
did not greatly relish the question, and
scowled rather ominously upon the ques-
toner.
Il know very well what you're comm
at" said Rowan, not very good-natured-
ly; ''but you're much mistaken about
that little affair. I'm sometimes troubled
with vertigo, or dizziness in the mead,
which seizes me awful sudden, and knocks
my pins right out from under me; and
that accounts for my tumbling down so
awkwardly that. mornin' when l under
took to pulverize that humbug."
IT'S great pity you happened to be
seized at that particular moment" OBJ
served Mr.. Henderson.
81 didn't say | was seized; l was
going to strike him, but he stepped aside,
l missed my aim, and the force of the
blow threw me down. But you don't seem
to understand it, and what's more, don't
want to ; but one thing is sartin, the man
as don't believe has got to stand up face
to face with Ben Rowan! p cried the
boxer, with increasing energy.
Better finish Job Dawson before you
get any more work of that kind on
hand - remarked Frank.
You're towards ~ exclaimed Ben. 81
believe you will run tonight when you
see the enemy's camp fires. As for that
Quaker, you're in league with him But
I've not done with him yet. I'll pulver-
ize him, if it takes me half a day.
shouldn't wonder if he proved to be a spy
from the enemy he's been gone all the
afternoon, nobody knows where, and if
the truth was known, Gen. Marion is a
little suspicious of him, for he's eyein'
him mighty sharp now"
The individual referred to at that mo-
ment left Marion and approached the
parties who had made him the subject Of
conversation. 1t amused Forstall and
Henderson not little to see the con-
temptuous manner which Ben Rowan still
maintained toward him.
How do you find yourself, friend
DawsonW asked Henderson.
II never was lost, friend John" replied
Job, with much simplicity.
Rowan has been explaining to us
about that affair which happened between
you and him a few mornings since. We
all, it seems, have labored under a mis-
take, not knowing that Ben's unlucky
fall was occasioned by fit"
Il didn't say a fit, but a falling sick
ness ~ exclaimed Ben, angrily.
Thou art right, good Benjamin; it
was falling sickness, if thou wilt" an
swered }
Hear that-he owns it p cried Ben,
triumphantly.
Its all right, them" added Hender-
son, land l hope you and Dawson will
now shake hands"
81 have no i'll feelings toward friend
Benjamin" said Job.
See what I'll do to him." whispered
Ben to Forstall. Perhaps won't crush
the bones in his hand. l dare say not
Look out for fun"
Here is my hand, good Benjamin"
said Job, mildly, extending his broad
palm.
well, don't care" replied Ben,
"since you acknowledge that | was not
y7nquished by mortal strength, but by
disease, I'll give you my fist on it; so
here goes"
Rowan seized Dawson's hand and
pressed it with all his strength, expecting
that the latter would cry out with pain,
and laugh would be produced at his ex-
pense.
Verify" said Dawson, 81 like a warm
and friendly grasp, and l am glad to put
an end to this misunderstanding. There
fore, let this cordial grasp convince you
that cherish no hard feelings towards
you"
While the Quaker was making these
remarks he closed his mighty hand upon
Ben's, and the fingers sunk into the flesh
like iron rods. Rowan's whole frame
quivered with pain, but he stood like a
martyr, waiting with what fortitude he
could muster for the moment of release.
Art thou satisfied, good Benjamin p
kindly inquired Dawson, shaking Row
ans powerless hand still more vehement
~
"I-I-I-am-it is ali--all right" re-
piled the boxer, his face growing dread
fully red, while his eyes gave abundant
indications of being uncommonly watery.
ut is a good thing, Benjamin. for q
man TO be fully persuaded in his own
mind" added Dawson, still Tightening his
grip. II hope you are really in earnest
about this matter. and that this friendly
pressure of hands is without deceit"
Yes, yes!' exclaimed Ben, dancing
around Job like young grizzly bear
caught in steel trap. Il tell you it's
all-all-made up between us"
Forstal and Henderson roared with
laughte., and Rowan, when released from
the notifying situation in which he had
placed himself, attempted to join in the
merriment. but vexation prevailed over
the faint effort, and ne informed Forstall
confidentially, as they walked toward
the spot where the brigade was gathering,
preparatory to reSuming the march. that
Job Dawson was bigger humbug than
ever, and the time was approaching when
he would make it apparent to the whole
world
During the march to Rocky Greek
crank had a conversation with James
Adair, Mary's brother, and endeavored
to learn something about the Quaker.
but signally failed. Adair professed to
have no knowledge of the eccentric Job.
but though he felt. apparently, no inter
est in the singular individual. he seemed
TO experience considerable enjoyment in
| talking about Rose Forstall, though ne
approached the subject with some deli
cacy, but as Frank referred frequently
to Ruth Strickland, and spoke enthusi-
astically of her high qualities of head and
heart, as we'll as her personal projections,
he became less reserved and the name of
| Rose was oftener spoken.
Marion issued order that silence should
be strictly observed as they approached
Rocky Creek. Within two miles of the
rendezvous the brigade halted, waited till
midnight and then moved again with
increasing caution. Upon reaching the
wood that nearly surrounded the field
where the unsuspecting Loyalists were
gathered, the general disposed his men in