The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-03-07

Camille Fourier, the brother OF
the captain of the Alceste had early
contrived to scrape acquaintance with
Peggy Dempster, and tho vivacious VII.
lage beauty had been flattered into
allowing warmer Irritation than she
had. perhaps, intended. Possibly she
took delight in piquing the jealousy Of
her faithful admirer Greg.
The Nrefy was captured on a Sat.
urday at noon, and it. was not till
dawn was breaking ON Sunday that
Greg was called on to. act as pilot,
when the brigantine was rounding Sell
sea Bill. Capt. Fournier, pistol IN
hand, stood close to Greg, alert for the
first sign of treachery.
But, II anything, the young man
seemed to err on the side of intense
caution in the interests Of his new EN-.
ployers. Though the rate of progress
was slow Fourier did not grumble,
seeing that If the wind held from the
same quarter it would serve the more
important purpose Of taking him
quickly out again.
And so, creeping on between the
golden corn fields, the brigantine
emerged from the narrow gut of the
winding creek into the broader waters
of its termination at the village, just
as the bells Of Bosnian church ceased
ringing for morning service.
The captain gave the necessary or
ders, and at once set about making
his dispositions for landing his entire
force, except a sufficient guard for the
prisoners.
Though the landing entailed sew.
eral journeys in the Firef1y's boats, IL
was rapidly effected, and with Four
nier at it's head started for the Manor
house under Greg's guidance. Only
100 yards Of marshy pasture.land lay
between the creek and the moat, but
the young sailor led the Frenchmen a
long slant up the meadows and back
again before finally approaching their
goal. The captain looked at him once
or twice suspiciously.
What is the meaning of this? Why
not advance direct?" he asked, tap
ping his pistol. you know what to
expect il You play me FALSE
"You don't want your men stuck in
the mud?" replied Greg, and he point
ed convincingly to a quagmire they
were passing.
After half an hours wandering to
and fro in the meadows he led the
party up to the bridge over the moat,
and they entered the grounds Of the
Manor house from the rear. AS they
filed round to- the front a group Of
men who wera sitting under a tree
on the lawn started up on seeing the
familiar uniform, and came running
forward. a minute later Capt. Four.
nier had embraced his brother, and
explained the situation.
The prisoners of war were in an &C.
stacy of delight at the prospects of.
as one of them facetiously put it,
being "brutally dragged from their
parole" but on the captain proposing
an immediate return to the boats.
Camille waved his hand gaily In dep.
recation.
wait brief time, my brother" he
laughed. 1.-The little god Cupid de-
mands it, and we are quite safe from
opposition here. There are not 20
able Britons in the place. Most
of them are in church, and they are
all unarmed."
"My dear Camille" said the cap.
| tain, there are plenty of bright eyes
in France to console you, and IL we
daily too long we may have to slit
the threats of some of the villagers
before we get away"
What matter, SO long as gain my
purpose?" retorted the lieutenant,
brutally. "No; take the others and
sail away, IL you please. AS for me,
nothing will move me unless 1 take
the fair Mile. Dempster."
Capt. Fourier bit his lip, but gave
in. At most it must mean waiting
| till the close of service, which could
not be long deferred, and in the seclu,
sion of the Manor house grounds the
presence of the landing-party would in
| the meantime remain undetected
But when the minutes grew into an
AOuI, 1Ilu IAC uOui AuLO al uOuI
a half, yet no signal was given by the
man posted in the shrubbery to watch
the church door, the captain began to
fume and stamp with rage. Finally
Greg, who had been casting furtive
glances in the direction of the Fire.
fly. plucked the captains sleeve.
Captain, see there!" he cried, and
leading him to the churchyard wall,
he pointed mockingly at the FREELY.
The brigantine lay high and dry on
the mud at her anchorage, and would
not float again for ten hours at least.
For moment the brave lads life
trembled in the balance. Then with
muttered oath the captain put up
the pistol he had drawn. He saw
that there was no hope for himself
and his men to get away to sea before
an overwhelming force would be upon
them. and to commit any sort of out
rage would only aggravate the treat.
ment he would receive.