Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-01-03

that needed light hearts almost q;
much as pure ones. Still more he won
dercd how they would manage without
him now.
Before nightfall, 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 OF
ironed men, with the sunset light first
on ono side of his swarthy. black whisk.
cred face and then on the other. DE
was obviously and openly searching for
some one among the eighty prisoners
and his failure to find his man was an.
nounced by frown that had in 1t more
of pain and apprehension than of mere
annoyance. Meanwhile the major, who
was still comparatively active man
was bearing down upon the Intruder
with the help of his furled umbrella
and the gentleman In the curricle was
very soon asked what the mischief be
wanted there.
mischief. my good manY replied
rich deep voice. little overladen with
superior scorn. Nothing more mis-
chievous, take 1t, than few words
with the superintendent of this gang
Perhaps you will be so extremely con-
descending as to give him my card"
IL am he" said the major. what
can I do for your"
"The honor of glancing at my card"
said the stranger, with bow as elab'
crate as his scorn.
"Well, sir?"
"My name may be familiar to you"
Never heard It in my life," replied
the major bluntly. However" he add
ed as the other colored terribly, II live
out of the world, Mr.. Dalntree, as you
perceive"
Tom was at work quite near, and he
heard the name distinctly. He, too
had never 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 fusslly 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 wardsman to come
and take charge of the gentleman's
horses.
Nevertheless" continued Daintree,
IT take it that even you, sir, are ac-
ouainted with the name Of the writer
of the missive in my hand. / am the
bearer, Major Honeybone," with i'm
mense pomposity, "of letter from
my friend, his excellency Sir George
Gipps, the governor Of this colony"
"Never met him." returned the ma
jor, with twinkling eye. 1T Is my
first acquaintance even with his hand
writing" Indeed, his excellency had
been not many weeks Installed, but 1t
was years since the major had heard
tones 80 rich and periods so round as
those of his excellency's friend, whom
he 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 dozens
of admirable wine and some boxes of
excellent cigars. Two Of these were
alight, and the gentlemen had clinked
glasses and taken sip before Major
Honeybone would permit himself to
open his excellency's letter. Hardly
had he done so when he regretted both
wine and cigars. He looked up sud-
denly and in wrath, which, however,
was somewhat disarmed by the eager
light he thus surprised in the visitors
strong and dusky face.
"What on earth do you want him
for? call this a most monstrous re,
quest" said Major Honeybone, and
the last sentence was meant to have
come first until Daintree's look invert-
ed them.
"Request?" said Daintree, raising his
eyebrows slightly.
Eyes, sir, requestw cried the major.
Command, sir. is thing ! don't take
from a gentleman I've never had the
honor of setting eyes on, and this Is
one that Sir Richard Bourke, sir, would
sooner have died than giveP'
Daintree pursed up his eyes. AS 1t
was only by patient exercise OF two
qualities that he had got
the letter at all, so he now saw that
he must trust to those two qualities to
overcome this other masterful man.
He must be diplomatic, he must have
patience, he must pick his way where
he could not force 1t, and it was very
clear that there would be no forcing
this Major Honeybone.
The letter authorized and begged
the major to deliver and hand over
Thomas Erickson, Seahorse. then un-
lergoing sentence in the majors iron
gang, to the bearer, who particularly
wished to have him for his assigned
and undertook to make
himself thenceforward responsible for
he said convict's good behavior. 1t
vas an irregular letter. No reason was
given for granting such favor at all.
L did say, however, that Mr.. Daintree
would give his reasons, and with the
etter in both hands, as though on the
,oint of tearing 1t up, the major leaned
pack in his chair and regarded the 9TH
n with a prolonged and curious stare.
"What are your reasons?" he asked
It length.
"He is an innocent man." replied
)aintree impressively.
"a convicted murderer, ! under.
tand."
Wrongly convicted. followed his