Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-11-21
Copyright. 1896. by CHARLES
%ScRIBNER.s SONS.

but a beaten dog, and 1t came and
went, and was forgotten In the same
moment.
The next he was gazing on a curious
scene. and his fears were also at an
end.
In the light of the campfire four men
were sittir- solemnly at whist, and
three faces more innocently INTENTION
the fourth was turned the other way
Tom had never seen in his life. On
his left sat a long limbed STRIPPING
whom the others addressed as Slipper
while they shufled and cut and crit
icised his play. 1t was clear that Slip
per was a novice, though an anxious
student of the game. His partner was
a wall eyed man without a smile. Mel
Their did Tom hear a word from the
n whose black hair and sullen Shout
ders were toward him, but opposite
whom, facing Tom, sat the visible life
and soul of the party.
This was a little elderly man with
gray tufts upon his bloodless cheeks
n horn spectacles pushed halfway up
a sfngularly benevolent brow. He sat
~ta1lorwise, like the rest, but played his
cards In a way Of his own. He had
only n hand for the job. His right
arm terminated in a polished hook
with a cork at the end of it, but there
knelt at his side a gigantic aboriginal,
who threw down each card as the
player touched it with the cork. Such
was the party. At the first glance Tom
had looked anxiously for the blood
thirsty Italian brigand, but he soon for
got his existence in the presence of this
Innocent group, who were not even
playing for money.
Tom heard their horses champing
hard by beyond the freight, set them
down as a party Of drovers and step
ped fearlessly among them the instant
the rubber came to an end. The wall
eyed one Immediately drew a pistol,
while Slipper leaped to his long legs
with a knife. But the man with the
spectacles ordered them both to put
away their weapons and sit quiet, and
they both obeyed.
Il saw him some time ago." said he,
lowering his glasses (as he had done
once before while Tom was looking
on), land 1 am very much obliged to
him. He didn't I'M -rupt our rub, as
a more thoughtless person most Ger
tainly would have done. He is a we'll
bred young man, and I like the looks of
him. Do you hear, sir? l like the looks
of you, but what on earth's the matter
with your mouth?"
Tom hung his head and told his
story. AT it's conclusion the little gray
man insisted on shaking left hands
with him.
you're the kind of young fellow
like to meet" said he. ga runaway
convict, Of courseY'
The question was terribly abrupt, but
Tom told the truth.
"There, there, never mind!" cried the
little gray man. you're not so singu-
lar in that respect is your sensitive
imagination would appear to suggest.
In fact, you are not the only one in the
present circle, so you see that you may
hold up your head again and even trust
us with further particulars. May l ask
from whose service you have fed?"
Tom hesitated. If they should carry
him back!
"You would rather not say!" exclaim-
ed the little a "Very natural, very
natural; but what if 1 can guess?
What If l said his name began with
8, and considered that of his home
stead hardly justified by the facts,
save insomuch as every mans dwelling
is his CastleY"
Toms face convicted him. 1t was
TRANSPORTED with amazement. The
travellers exchanged significant glances
and proceeded to regard him with an
interest obviously r%edoubled.
"How did you know" he cried.
II knew nothing. / only guessed"
"But how?"
More convicts abscond from that
particular establishment than from n
other in the colony. Then l perceive
that you are suffering from fifty
lashes"-
"a hundred!"
Indeed? And more convicts are
logged on that farm than on any 9TH
er in the land. A nice place! know
something about i'll intend knowing
more"
Slipper laughed.
"But you mustn't let q hundred lash. |
es depress you," resumed the little
gray mar in his smooth and soothing
voice. "Why, my friend Wall-eye here
had 1900 in three years-on the same |
farm, mind youAbefore he came to
me. What do you think Of that? But |
It's high time I presented you to my
friends. That's Walleye, this is Slip
per, and owe there you see De Gruchy
scowling at you; but don't be fright
ened; he's been scowling at us all the
whole evening"" said the little man,
with a CLEAN Of his eyes behind their
glasses. you needn't trouble your
head about De Gruchy! The heath
name is Peter Pindar. He will
for your needs in one moment.
And my name Is Hockey Simpson, at
your service!"
His name all through had been so