Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-12-05

condemned cell in Newgatc.
Don't look at Il pal like that" con-
tinued Creascy, With a smirk. You've
altered worse nor me. No i'll feeling. 1
say? l was that glad
"Silence!' cried the noncommissioNcl
officer on duty. mo talking at your
meals, young man, unless you want
what-for!"
AS for Tom, he had nothing for the
newcomer but a surly contempt, which,
he took no trouble to conceal. Crcasey.
Oh the other hand, was studiously civil
to him on graspins Toms reputation in
the stockadc, and secret circumstances
threw them not Il little together.
"That's Il bitter" young Eutterlield
contrived to say to Tom in q day or
two. "Whcre did he know you before?"
"Newgate,"
"IIe hates you"
"Let him"
sim Jealous he'll squeak
"Tie might if he dare"
GLOW do you know he dursn't?'
"Too many in it. He'd be torn to
little bits. See here, Buttcr!!"
"Yes, Erichsen.''
you're to keep out of it,"
"Not unless you do" said the lad
firmly.
ME! I'm in it up to the neck. and
all the better, but you're different.
You're younger, your times all but up,
you've never had the lash, there's a
chance for YOU, SO give me your word"
The lad hesitated.
"For my sake.'
The lad gave in, but consoled himself
by making up to Creasey. who slept in
his hut and was already deeply impli-
Gated in that which the other thus for
swore.
All was in readiness. The excite
ment throughout the gang was intense,
though invisible, and Erickson, Mac
beth and Creasey were ever reader
than their fellows, as bclloOved good
ringleaders, when the unforeseen hap
pened at the critical moment. The gen
eral failed them on the field of battle.
The First Fleetcr fell i'll and was re-
moved.
1t had been coming on for weeks.
The old man. who had made light of
the iron gang, was the first to stIccumb
to its hourly hardsbips. lie was older
than he had thought. He had it still
in him to blacken and corTode every
heart in the gang with his own album
dant poison, and that he did. but that
was all. His irons became very silent
all night long. One morning he tum-
bled at his work. The next he was
sent over to Maitland unfettered and
in a cart. The gang were at work at
the time. and the last Tom saw of the
First Fleeter as he waved his cap in
the cart was his bald head and his un-
c~onQuerable smile. Tom wondered
whether the last had not in some de
gree balanced the first and been doing
a little good for Il long time in a land
that needed light hearts almost as
much as pure mes Still more he won
dered how they would manage without
him now.
Before nightfall. however, this de-
parture was succeeded by IN arrival as
unforeseen. 1t was that Of a curricle
containing a solitary individual. who
drove both up and down the line of
ironed men, with the sunset light first
on ono side of his swarthy, black whisk-
cred face and then on the other. He
was obviously and openly searching for
some M among the eighty prisoners.
and his failure to find his man was an
bounced by a frown that had in it more
of pain and apprehension than of mere
annoyance. Meanwhile the major. who
Was still Il comparatively active q
$ bearing down upon the intruder
f.th the help of his furled umbrella.
and the gentleman in the curricle was
very soon asked what the mischief he
, wanted there.
mischief, my good man?' replied a
rich deep voice, a little overladen with
superior scorn. Nothing more mis-
chievous. l take it, than a few words
with the superintendent of this gang.
Perhaps you will be so extremely con-
descending as to give him my card"
81 am he" said the major. What
can l do for you"
"The honor Of CHANGING at my card"
said the stranger, with a bow as elab-
crate as his scorn.
"Well, sir?"
my am may be familiar to you"
Never heard it in my life," replied
the major biuntly. However," he add
ed as the other colored terribly, 81 live
out of the world, Mr.. Daintree, as you
perceive"
Tom was at work quite near, and he
heard the name distinctly. He, too,
had eve heard it before, and yet he
had some dim recollection of the face,
so that he was watching it intently
and saw the flush with which Daintree
very fussily produced a letter.
THAT is your misfortune. sir" Tom
heard him retort. and the rap put the
major in a good temper IN the spot.
He sang out for a wardsman to come
and take charge of the gentleman's
horses.