Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-10-28
up a cartridge belt and reappeared

up a cartridge belt and reappeared
buckling it on.
oscar" he yelled, "bring in that
coffee, with cups for two"
He kicked off his boots and drew on
light shoes and !eggings.
Light marching orders for the rough
places. Confound that buckle"
He rose and stamped his feet to set
tie the shoes.
"Your horse is at the door. That ras-
cal Oscar will take off the blanket for
you. There's bottle of fair whisky in
the cupboard, If you'd like nip before
starting. Bless me. | forgot the coffee!
There ON the table, Oscar, and never
mind the CHAIRS" he added as Oscar
came in with tin pot and the cups on
piece of plank.
'I'm taking the rifle, Oscar, and be
sure those revolvers are loaded with
the real goods
There was Il great color in Armi-
tage's face as he strobe about prepar-
ing to leave. His eyes danced with en-
element. and between the sentences
that he jerked out half to himself he
whistled Il few bars from II comic opera
that was making record run on
Broadway. His steps rang out vigor-
ously from the bare pine floor.
Watch the windows. Oscar. You
may forgive general anything but a
surprise. Isn't that SO, Claiborne?
And those fellows must be pretty mad
by this time. Excuse the coffee serv-
ice, Claiborne. We always pour the
sugar from the paper bag-original
package. you understand. And see IL
you can't find Captain Claiborne hat,
Oscar
With tin cup of steaming coffee In
his hand he sat on the table dangling
his legs, his hat on the back of his
head, the cartridge belt strapped about
his waist over a brown corduroy hunt
ing coat He was in high mood and
chaffed Oscar as to the probability Of
their breakfasting another morning.
"If we die. Oscar. 1t shall be in a good
cause"
He threw aside his cup with a ciat-
ter, jumped down and caught the sword
from the table, examined it critically,
then sheathed 1t with click.
Claiborne had watched Armitage
with growing lmpatience. He re-
sented the idea of being thus ignored
Then he put his hand roughly OH Armi-
tage's shoulder.
Armitage, intent with his own affairs,
had not looked Mt Claiborne for several
minutes, but he glanced at him now as
though just recalling duty.
Lord, man. didn't mean to throw
you into the road. There's clean bed
in there that you're welcome to. Go
In and get some sleep"
I'm not going into the valley" roar
ed Claiborne, land I'm not going to
bed. I'm going with YOU"
But bless your soul. man. you can't
go with me! You are as ignorant as a
babe of my affairs, and I'm terribly
busy and have no time to talk to you.
Oscar that coffee scalded me. Clai-
borne, If only had time. you know,
but under existing circumstances
II repeat that I'm going with you. /
don't know why I'm in this row, and l
don't know what it's all about. but l
believe what you say about it. and l
went you to understand that can't be
put in bag like prize potato with
cut taking whack at the man who
put me there
But If you should get hurt. Clai-
eorne. it would spoil my plans. never
could face your family again." said Ar
nitage earnestly. "1ake your horse
and 60"
I'm going back TO the valley when
you do"
"Humph! Drink your coffee! Oscar,
bring ont the rest of the artillery md
| give Captain Claiborne his choice"
He picked up Lis sword again. flung
the blade from the scabbard with a
swish and cut the mir with it, hum