The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-07-16

much as pure ones Still! more he won.
dered how they would manage without
him now.
Before nlghtfall. however. this de-.
parture was succeeded by an arrival as
unforeseen. II was that Of curricle
containing a solitary individual. who
drove both up and down the line or
ironed men, with the sunset light first
on ono side oe his swarthy. black whisk-
cred face and then on the other, He
was obviously and openly searching for
some one among the eighty prisoners.
and his failure to find his man was an
Bounced by .rown that had In It more
OF pain and apprehension than Of mere
annoyance. Meanwhile the major. who
was still q comparatively active man.
was bearing down upon the Intruder
With tie telp OF his furled umbrella.
and the gentleman in the curricle was
very soon asked what the mischief be
wanted there.
Mischief. my good man" replied a
rich deep voice. little overladen with
superior scorn. Nothing more mis-
chievous. take II. than a few words
with the superintendent Of this gang.
Perhaps you will be so extremely con-
descending as to give him my card"
II am he" said the major. What
can I do for youf"
1.-THE honor OF glsncing at my card"
said the stranger, with a bow as elab.
crate as his scorn.
"weli, sir?"
MY name may be familiar to you"
Never heard IL in my life" replied
the major b.untly. However" he add,
ed as the other colored terribly. Il live
out Of the world, Mr.. Daintree. as you
perceive"
Tom was at work quite near, and he
heard the name distinctly. He. too
mad never heard 1t 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 letter.
That Is your misfortune, sir" Tom
heard him retort. and the rap put the
major In a good temper on the spot
He sang out for a wardsman TO come
and take charge OF the gentleman's
| horses.
Nevertheless" continued Daintree
81 take II that even you, sir, are &C
duainted with the name OF the writer
Of the mIssive in my hand. am the
bearer, Major HoneybOne." with i'm
mense pomposity. of a letter from
my friend. his excellency Sir George
GIpps, the governor of this colony
Never met him." returned the ma
jor. with a twinkling eye. 1T is my
first acquaintance even with his hand
writing" Indeed. his excellency had
been not many weeks Installed. but II
was years since the major had heard
tones so rich and periods so round a
those OF bis excellency's friend. whom
be thereupon escorted with hospitality
to his house.
Now In this poor hut. opposite that
stockade full Of felOns and In that des
ert place. the major Kept a few dozen:
Of admirable wine and some boxes Of
excellent cigars. Two Of these were
allght, and the gentlemen had clinked
glasses and taken sip before Major
Honeybone would permit himself t.
open his exceliency's letter. Hardly
had he done 50 when he regretted boil
wine and cigars. lie looked up sud
denly and In wrath. which. however
was somewhat disarmed by the eagsl
light he thus surprised In the visitor
strong aud dusky face.
"What on earth do you want hin
for? call this a most monstrous re-
quest" said Major Honeybone. anC
the last sentence was meant 10 hav,
come first until Daintree's look invert
ell them.
"Requestf" saId DaIntree. raising hi
eyebrows slightly.
Eyes. sir. request" cried the major
command. sir. Is thing don't taxi
from a gentleman I've never had th'
honor of setting eyes on. and This Il
one that SIR Richard Bourke. SIR. woult
sooner have died than give!''
Daintree pursed up bis eyes. AZ /
was only by patient exercise Of tw,
characteristic qualities that he had 90
the letter at all. 10 he now saw tina
he must trust 30 those two qualities {,
overcome this other masterful man
lie must he diplomatic, he must hav,
patience. he must pick his way wher'
he could not force II. and Il was ver!
clear that there would be no forcini
this Major IIoneybone.
The letter authorized and begyei
the major to deliver and hand owe
Thomas Erickson, Seahorse. then IN
dergolng sentence in the majors iroi
gang. 10 the bearer who particularly
wished 10 have him for bis assignee
bOdyseryant and undertook 30 maxi
himself thpncefOrward responsible 70
the said convIct's good behavior. I
was an Irregular letter No reason wa
given for granting sUrb a favor nc all
II did say. however that Mr. Daintrel
would give bis rensons, and with Oh,
letter In both hands. as though on th'
point OF tearing IL up. the major ieanet
back In his chair and regarded the 9th
er with prolonged and curious stare.
"wbat are your reasDnst" he asket
3