The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-09-28
(possibly assist him in obtaining his


ern for some nearby settlement.
Gone? To the settlement? Prob
ably to st. Charles-to Lavender, was
Winslow's first jealous fear.
For a little while he detained the
chatting soldier, and penned 6. few lines
This done, he summoned Owatoga.
The Indians houndlike glance in
stantly took in all the occupants OF
the room. AS Winslow handed him
the note, it was intercepted by the
sergeant with staggering air of COM
mand. Instinctively Winslows hand
sought his belt as if reaching for a
sword but he withdrew it at once
with shrug of disdain.
But the Indian had seen the sig
niiicant action, and accepted its pur-
pose literally. With the spring of a
panther he was upon the soldier, push
! ing him to his knees. Brandishing a
knife, he held it threateningly over
him, then turned to Charles with an
air of inquiry, which said as plain as
words: What shall / do with him?"
1t was all done as lightning flash
But at Winslow's sharp command the
Indian relaxed his hold, permitting the
terrified soldier to rise.
Forgive the zeal of my friend here"
Charles said, lightly; only be careful
to treat me well when he is about"
Turning to his champion he said,
aside: Take this note to her"
Then to the soldier; 81 will not
go with you tamely to some God
forsaken hole, there to rot through
the stupidity of the law. Escort me
first to your officer-in-chief, whoever he
is. want to inquire into this high
handed proceeding"
Indian the sergeant consented with
out demur, and they went direct to
the deputy's house.
Here they waited in gloomy room
where prevailed neither pioneer sim
plcity nor the real comforts of civ
ilization, but an homogeneous blending
of both. Here were small barred win
dows that seemed rather to imprison
the cold, damp air within than to af-
ford opening for the sunlight. A few
formal chairs Knocked the visitor from
a circle about fireless hearth.
Announced by cough, and loud
clearing of his throat, there entered
the man temporarily in authority
Tall, military and aggressive in ap-
pearance, yet with good humor beam
ing in his kindly eyes, and around the
corners of his childishly curved mouth
No American born, evidently, but a
soldier Of fortune whose skin was not
more changed by many sums than his
heart by service under many flags.
He acknowledged the sergeant's sa-
lutte by flourish of condescension, and
addressed Winslow. Bon soir, mon
sieur, the matter-what may it be?"
Winslow answered, hotly: THAT is
what came here to find out, sir"
With a shrug the other said: But
| cannot give you light, monsieur, l
am here only pour passer lie temps,
while the real deputy removes himself
elsewhere. M. lie Gen. Wilkinson is
absent"
1t was on, the point of Winslow's
tongue to Aiticise the management
which would leave the arrest of per-
sons, innocent or guilty, to unfamil-
lar hands, but he refrained, and the
officer said, his accent a curious mix
ture of French and Spanish: Il am
told, however, that you are a danger
Gus man who comes here on service
of-how you call HMM. Burr?"
The tone and manner was apologize,
but the words opened old sores. With
fire in his eyes, his voice shaking with
suppressed emotion Winslow told his
story frankly, concluding: Now
you know, sir, why l am beginning to
feel like an Ishmaelite. | meant be-
fore to have disclosed my business,
but was denied opportunity. 1t is evi-
dent some babbler has preceded me,
prating to ears already prejudiced by
political bias, against man whom
the nation should delight to honor"
From beneath elevated brows his |
nearer smiled. There is verify in
yOul lllOAolCuls Jul ullll lnlo
expedition matter is settled our orders |
are to detain you. We will make it as
pleasant as possible for you, mon
sieur," he fastened to add 1T is only |
that your presence with us seems de-
sirable-for the present. | am not able |
to say that so distinguished a person |
should at once be free, though, sans
doute, it should be so. May | have |
your parole d'honneur to remain with
us in st. Louis until we have word |
from the powers that be-"
Winslow hesitated for an instant |
only, then his brow cleared. you
have my word on honor, your excel
lency" land at the title the other
coughed with gratifed vanity, "and
must thank you for even this much
courtesy. From the Jail threatened by
this man here land he made a slight
ing gesture toward the sergeant) els
escape enough for the present. But
by the way, monsieur, will you kind
ly tell me where Gen. Wilkinson is?"
The deputy coughed again-this time