Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-06-04
CHAPTER XII

1t was or the hrSt importance that
Monsieur Duponceau should keep himself
we'll hid and to this end he spent his days
in the cabin Of the Ship, coming out only
when night had fallen, and then most cir
cumspectly. There were not the same rea-
sons for concealment in my case, however,
so I boarded the Ship soon after 1 left
Barbara that day and set up my easel as
an excuse in case any chance observers
should look across the beach and see me.
This also gave me the chance to keep a
careful lookout.
It was perhaps o'clock when, as I
sat on the gunwale of the Ship, summing
myself and leisurely smoking a pipe, I
saw Charles approaching with a pitcher
and glasses.
THE afternoon being so warm,
thought that you and the other gentleman
might be wanting something cool to drink,
SIR" he explained, when he had come
on board $50 l made a pitcher of claret
cup"
Much obliged to you, Charles. Take it
down to the cabin, where it'll keep cool
until we want it,
Charles disappeared with the clinking
pitcher. When he returned I spoke again.
What is Monsieur Duponceau doing?"
"He is lying in one Of the hunks, sir,
with his eyes wide open, and when he
sees me, he says, sort of pleasant-like,
You're trying to make me think I'm back
in Paree, but unfortunately the setting
isn't the same!''
Il don't expect to be much at home for
some time, Charles. I'm going to help
Monsieur Duponceau here. We may need
you suddenly, so keep an eye on the
broken mast, and if you see lamp or
flag come over at once. Otherwise, keep
num-"
Yes, Mr.. Felix. I've been pestered all
day with some of them skulking fellows
that wants to know my business. May l
land 'em one if they interfereW
you man land 'em one whenever you
feel like it; only, land so hard that there
won't be any comeback"
Yes, I will, sir" and Charles made
so bold as to grin. 1 could see that the
spirit of fight was taking hold of him
also.
l went back to my pipe and my drowsy
survey of the sea. There was little wind,
and the oily rollers swept calmly in with
a curiously machine-like rhythm. Far
out the funnel of a south-bound steamer
sent a black ribbon across the sky; to the
west of the Shifting Shoal a sloop was
lying to, waiting for the evening breezes.
/ half dozed, thinking what a peaceful
scene it was.
Half an hour later l heard Duponceau
call my name from the cabin stairs.
It's getting intolerably warm down
here; might it not be possible for me to
come on deck if I kept in the shadow of
the gunwale?"
I looked the situation over, and decid-
ed that no one could possibly see a man
who hid at the side of the ship, keeping
low down by the rail. advised Dupon-
rceau of this, and then told him Che mo-
ment, the beach being clear, he might dart
from the hatchway, and scurry across to
shelter. This he did, and, with a sigh
of thankfulness at having reached fresh
outer air, he stretched himself in the
shadow, and 1 sat opposite, facing him
and watching the shore.
1--WE been sleeping" Duponceau said,
$50 that / could stand watch tonight.
What a beautiful world But it's not
like France; nothing is like France. And
to think l may not see it again !"
"Why?" l asked.
''Because-' He hesitated. Because
have enemies who would shut me away
from the sea and the sky and the sun,
and so I have to come to some lonely cor
uer of the New World, and seek refuge.
All, this new world Of yours 1t is good
for the young, but not for those who
have grown gray in the Old. There is
only one world for them and one land
for me-I love it as 1 might love a WON
an"
Foreigners have the habit of sentiment !;
it did not seem strange to me to listen to
the thoughts of an exile spoken in a
voice that was unsteady clear. The
frankness of the man cleared away all
barriers.
Suddenly looking up, I caught sight of
Barbara coming towards US by the path
behind the cliff. She carried package
under her arm. As 1 watched her descend
carefully, I saw the two men that had
met in the morning come out of the pines
and approach her. AS she saw them ap-
pear, Barbara involuntarily glanced over
TO the Ship, and the men instantly turn
ed their eyes in the same direction, and
so caught sight of me.
Sit still and keep very low" l whis-
pered to Duponceau, under cover Of my
pipe.
Barbara took step forward.
Not so fast. Where are you goingY
demanded the surly faced chap.
Il am going-where l choose" she an
swered, and took another step.
You're not going out to that Ship"
he stated. There's some one hiding here
We mean to find"
I caught his words and jumped to my
feet
WHAT'S the trouble? Miss Graham,
won't you come on board"
l was careful to lean directly over Du-
ponceau, In order to shield him better.
We'll all three come" announced the
man.
I 1ras mt out L. would ha irnroossihla