Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-18

chance, Mr.. Gale. n you'll back me up
I'll send him on down to st. Michael's
That Is the most I can do"
The lieutenant outlined his plan. and
as he went on the trader nodded ap-
proval.
The young man gazed back at him
80 squarely, his eyes were SO pleasant
and friendly. his whole person breath.
ed such straight up honesty and fresh
ness that shame arose in the old man,
and he had hard shift to keep his
glance from wavering. without fore
thought he answered impulsively:
He's desperate and he's dangerous.
I sold him a IS just now" He was
about to tell him where the man wore
It and to add word concerning his
dexterity with the gun when the very
fearless deliberation Of the youth de.
tered him. On second thought Gale
yielded to an impulse to whit and see
how Meade Burrell would act under
fre. n the soldier emerged scathless
1t would give him line on his charac.
ter. II he did not--well, that would
be even better.
The crowd was coming back to the
steamer. which had discharged her
few bundles Of freight, and there was
NO one inside the log post as they en-
tered except Doret and the stranger,
who had deposited his baggage at the
rear and was talking with the French.
a In trH 10
tenant he became silent and turned
carelessly. although with a distrustful
stare. Burrell wasted no time.
Are you going to locate here3" he
began.
YES"
II notice you go skeleton rugged"
the soldier continued, indicating the
mans baggage. Pretty small outfit
for miner. isn't It'll"
'It's plenty for me-"
"Have you enough money to buy
your seasons grub?'
IL guess that's my business"
"My orders are to see that all new
Corners either have an outfit or are
able to buy one," said Burrell. "Those
that are not equipped properly are to
be sent down river to ST. Michnel's,
where there Is plenty Of everything
and where they will be taken care Of
by the government Mr.. Gale has only
sufficient provisions to winter the men
already In this district
II Gun take care of myself" said the
man angrily, whether I'm broke or
not, and l don't want any of your in
reference" He shot quick glance
at Poleon Doret, but the Frenchman's
face was like wood and his hand still
held the neck of the whisky bottle he
had set out for the stranger.
Gene" said the officer peremptori-
~. II have heard all about you. and
you are not the kind OF citizen we
want here. but if you have enough
away. If you haven't
I'm broke" said the man, but at
the note in his voice Poleon Doret's
muscles frightened, and Burrell, who
also read q sinister message In the
tone, slid his heavy service revolver
from its holster beneath his coat.
Give me your gun" he said. "Ill
unload 1t and give 1t back to you at
the gangplank."
"All right; you've got the upper
hand" said the man through lips that
had gone white. ORA wing his weapon
from beneath his vest, he presented 1t
10 the officer. butt foremost. hammer
underneath. The cylinder reposed nat
urally in the palm of his hand, and the
tip Of his forefinger was thrust
through tho trigger guard.
Burrell lowered the barrel Of his re.
volver and put out his left hand for
the others weapon. Suddenly the
mans wrist jerked. the soldier saw a
blue flicker Of sunlight on the steel as
It whirled, saw the arm Of Poleon Do
ret fling itself across the bar with the
speed of a striking serpent heard q
smash of breaking glass, felt the shock
Of conclusion and the spatter of
some liquid In his face. Then he saw
the mans revolver on the floor half.
way across the room. saw fragments
of glass with 1t and saw the fellow
step backward. snatching at the fin
gers Of his right hand. A smell of
powder smoke and rank whisky was In
the air.
There are times when a mans hand
will act more swiftly than bis tongue.
Napoleon Doret had seen the manner
Of the strangers surrender Of his gun
and. realizing what It meant, had act.