The Yale expositor., 1908-08-28
LANFRANC
Copyright. by shortstory Pub. Coz
BY E. A. COOK

pine-chicks for her When get to the
cabin fin strange man there. He
was good to look at, yes But l not
like his eyes.
He had some great plan TO get gold
from the brook, and | see the father
already had the lust for riches in his
face. They dig all the time by the
water, and the girl talk and laugh
with the stranger. tell her one day
what l tink about him, but she laugh
at me.
We'll one time feel like a change,
and go on long trip. | shoot much
and see many strange things and live
as man should live. But at las feel
something tell me to turn roun and
go back. So start on the back trail.
One morning l see the smoke of
camp fire, and fin Great Bear and his
tribe hunting buffalo.
Great Bear, he tell me something
about South Wind that make me strike
him. But Great Bear know that
strike not him, but the words, and he
give me two fresh horses, and tell me
when l have done what | have to do,
where l should fin him, so that the
blow might be wipe out. Then we
shake hands like men and ride on.
I'm tree days | ride what 1 would
ride in seven at other time. When
reach the valley, | shoot one horse to
put him out of pain. Il was not nice,
no! and it add a little grain TO the
devil that was In me-
you have broke the stem Of wild
flower? Well, it was all the same
t'ink she was glad to see me, but she
was YER weak. The next day she die
The next day we bury her by the
brook she lof', and take my knife and
make cut on the handle of my gun.
For what? / change tings about. One
time in a mining camp a man who did
not know me, show me his pistol han
die. 1t was all cut with notches. He
tell me he make a cut every time he
kill man. | t'lnk he try to scare me-
| laugh, for | do not like to see such
men, and | say that the next cut he
! make in the handle | would kill him.
For a minute he look as though he
would shoot Then he laugh as though
l was mad. The next day he kill
young boy at a game at cards. | go
to the place where he is, and remin'
him of what have said. That was the
second time l have ever start a fight.
Last night was the thir2
so l change t'ings about and make
cut on my pistol handle to show
that l have not kill. For tree years
feel that cut and swear sof' to myself
| took many trails and / stay at many
| places, but the face | look for / did
not see. Once a year | come here TO
McGills, where the great trails to the
north and west cross. The play is good
and many people pass.
well, las night, the place was full
You know how 1t is-much talk, much
drink. But Lanfranc has no lof' to let
the white wine make a fool Of him. So
| stand one side, and drink one, two
glass-not much. BY and by the door
open and man come In. He not see
me. but ! have no need of the white
wine to make my blood run fas'. He
been drinking, and he laugh an wave
his hand at the crowd, and tell McGill
to fill up the glasses.
Everybody YER glad to drink with
the stranger, but | take my glass and
! spill it on the floor before McGilrs
dog. He see what | do, and he turn
quick. For what you do this?' he say.
| laugh and point where the dog has
with McGill's dog than with you, u
say, and l smile in his face.
Men say l am too quick % shoot,
but even las night, l give him much
time. He had his gun out before
| draw. Then l draw quick, but have
no fear, for it was my time. 1t waA
fate. Then / cut the notch smooth on
my pistol handle Seel / feel good"
Lanfranc laid the pistol down On tAs
bench before the other man. Sergeant
Mack's hand went out mechanically
to the pistol, and his fingers ran caress-
ingly along the smooth cut in the
wood. Good! good" hs muttered
half to himself.
Lanfranc's finger touched the back
of the sergeant's hand for second.
Shall we go, mon amir" he asked
softly.
Sergeant Mack Strengthened up as IL
he were about TO salute. No. Ian.
| franc, hang 1t, MOI I am more a man
than this!"-and he touched the
stripe on his sleeve.
Lanfranc's black eyes flashed with
brilliant smile. You have the great
heart, mon ami he said simply. Il
ride north tonight to keep the word
with Great Bear"