The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-04-04
leave. was shortened Of my nap this

dileTuOOu.
Now this was a plain hint, as you
see. for me to hold my tongue. but
I took no offence, for there was no
occasion. Sir" said /, Il am mum.
do not overstay my welcome" and
too, lay back.
For some time we proceeded In
silence: but presently, the chaise
Jogging more than usual, he sat up.
TT seems to me-" said he, that
we are upon a wild-goose chase. we
shall not catch him in this wilder
ness"
"Oh," said /, "he cannot be so far
in advancement he with my nags,
I'll warrant"
He looked at me doubtfully in the
small light. VERY WE'LL" he said at
last. shortly, I'VE will try a little
longer" and he peered out upon tne
night II SO be he might determine
where we were.
looked out also, and now we
were passing through Carshalton,
where | had bid the doves assemble
for to meet me. But, d, my busi-
ness was not yet done, and the coach
rolls creaking out of Carshalton and
on the road to Epson. This seemed TO
stir the old gentleman again to per-
plexity, for again he directed a look
out of the window. and then another
at me- l felt his gaze wander over
me from top to boot as If he meas
ured me.
"You have fought abroad" says he
at last.
Not l." Gays l and added to that.
There's too many that babble about
these foreign wars. Deliver US. good
English war is better to my taste,
and better lighting too" says |.
"Ah!" says he. still coolly inspect
ing me, as il he cared not whether
/ saw him or not, then you will have
fought in his Majesty's intestine
wars?" said he. ~
Whats that?" said I. turning on
him. rs
mo doubt" said he, suavely, you
have fought, sir, for his majesty,
King James, against the unfortunate
Duke of Monmouth"
who gave you leave to suppose I
had fought at all?" said I. sharply,
being irked by his persistence. Il am
no fighting man. but one Of peace"
"Oh," says he, but took you for
soldier and a captain-at-arms at
least. And indeed believe YOU would
have furnished material for a good
soldier" He surveyed me meditative-
ly, Eyes, I'll promise that; good mate
rial, sir, sound fighting stock. and no
splitting straws or scruples."
d" said l. bluntly, what dye
mean"
He sank back in his seat. Il meant
no offence" said he, but l think as
It's shrewd tonight will cen turn
about for home"
Nay" said !, masterfully. you
must not do that since we are come
so far. Let US finish the adventure,
sir, and not leave hold of It, 'Twould
never do. We win be catching OF 'em
by the heels presently"
He pursed his lips together, as II
he whistled under his breath and
there was q pause, while the noise
of the chaise drowned all sound about
US. But my senses are not sharp for
nothing, and next l was aware OF
CLINT Of light upon steel, for the moon
as we rocked swayed in at the win
dow, and l guessed that he was
bringing his pistol from under his
cloak.
pulled forth mine abruptly. YES
says I, "'ts as well to be prepared
sir. am glad you are so forward. We
may have a fall-to when we en-
counter, but I'll warrant ye're as good
with your barker as l with mine"
II hope So" said he, without be
traying any feeling. Il do earnestly
hope SO; even. sir, to be little bet
ter would be to my taste. AS you say
we may come to an encounter soon
and tbs as well to be prepared"
Now the old buck puzzled me, ant
perpended. II he had any suspicion
that this was not genuine pursuit
and l was other than | had feignet
to be, why sat he there silent and
cool? But If he had no scent of dan
ger what was the significance Of hi
| words, which did smell to me of thu
ironic? 1t angered me to be SO BAT
fed by him and his quiet features
but did not well see what / nigh
do or say just then, and so KEEP
silence like himself. And indeed 'twa
he broke it.
I'VE must be drawing nigh Ewel
so far as may guess" he said
would you be good enough to tel
me what course you propose whe
we reach Ewell? II might withou
improperly make a humble sugge!
ton, would advise that we ate som
supper and lay there comfortably 70
the night, to resume this interestin
| tourney doubtless on the morrow q