Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-12-31

it happens that was just the reason why
l put 1t there"
Put what there?"
Put Rodney's portrait In the locket,
and the locket where you would find it."
You did2 Why"
"Oh, just to see what you would do
and you did It,"
Yes, did," admitted. '"Then you're
not but she interrupted by turning
to me.
Monsieur Duponceau was as polite as
he could be, and laughed at all my pro-
tests on the way home, but I think he
was running into some danger on my ac-
count. l believe he has come to Alastair
to hide"
II know he has"
"Oh, tell me all about It !" she begged.
Il know very little. He's an adventur-
er, and he's fed from Europe, and there
are people very anxious to take him back,
and he's going to live in the Ship. More
over, 1t seems reasonably certain that
there's going to be trouble"
lis there" she cried, half Ia excite
ment. half In delight. "Oh, let's help
him |"
l found that 1 only needed this chance
to avow myself openly.
I'VE will. I've decided to stand by
him, whatever happens"
Barbara looked exceedingly delighted.
If were only a man 7 she exclaimed.
As 1t Is, I'll have to do everything by
proxy"
"You can help us a lot"
"HowT
"By coming to see us often and bring
ing US news Of the outside world" l
instantly identified myself with Dupon-
ceau. THAT is if it doesn't begin to look
too dangerous" added.
She turned to face the ocean again.
Il should like to do something to help
him." she said, because like him Sup
pose we go to see him now"
l picked up my easel and paints on the
cliff. and we boarded the Ship
At the foot of the cabin stairs Barbara
saw the silver-mounted pistols blazing in
the sun.
"Oh !" she said, looking at Duponceau,
who stood In the door very tall and
straight. "Shall you use those?'
Il should not be surprised" he an
swered gravely.
Against whom? 1 haven't seen an
enemy on the beach"
'You will see," he answered. "They
will come -secretly-perhaps tonight"
Tonight she echoed. "And how
many will there be?"
There was a grim little smile about his
lips now. II cannot tell perhaps a doz-
en-, possibly a score; that depends on how
resolute a man they think me-"
Il think you very resolute," she said
soberly; quite the bravest man 1 have
ever SEEN"
PROFESSIONALLY there was no logic in
this remark, and yet couldn't but own
that l agreed with Barbara.
Tonight" she unused, her eyes deem
with the elaboration Of a general. "How |
will you defend the Ship-one against a
dozen2"
"You forget Charles and me-" l put in.
"Will you fight, too?" she asked.
"Surely. l looked up my weapons this
and put them in order. 1 will |
bring them on board this afternoon and
add them to Monsieur Duponceau's."
sand you, too, believe In the enemy ?"
the inquired.
"Most certainly, 1 saw one of them
his morning"
Barbara sat down on one Of the chairs
had left. ITO think" she said, that
Captain Kidd should come to life again
But where Is the buried treasurer"
l thought OF the chest l had seen car
led into the woods on the night of the
torn, but said nothing. When glanced
t Duponceau he was smiling at Bar
ara. This Is very desperate matter
or me-" he said, "but even the most des-
'erate affairs are frightened by a WON
n. You are my good angel, mademol
clle."
He said it in such a way that Barbara
ould not but be pleased.
Thank you, monsieur; and what plans
ave you made for defense?' rs
Duponceau outlined his plans. Firrt
all he would stay well hidden from
lght; then IT his enemies should Hnd
I'm, there were three points OF attack
rom the open sea, from the cliff above
he causaway, and from the beach be-
ond the protecting circle of rocks. We
tudied each in turn, and planned how
aree men, well armed, could hold the
hip against score. 81 should like more
than have" Duponceau con-
eSsed.
1herO Is plenty In my cottage" l told
Inn.
Lets get It now," cried Barbara, "and
'me Of the guns"
We went to the cottage, and Barbara,
her interest, forgot what she would
ave termed the prophecies, and entered.
nd looked about my dining-room while I
'llected cartridges and pistols. She in
sted on helping Charles put up a GUAM
ty OF food to carry to the Ship. At last
q started forth again, she with the pro
sions, with a shotgun and two revolt
ers. Half way down the beach two men
lme out Of the pines and walked down
} meet us.
Where are you going with those
1nsT one Of them, 4 Burly faced chan.
emanded. [
What business Is that Of yoursr
Iked ,
he changed his tactics. Were look
g for man who's reported to have
nded somewhere on this beach a night
: two ago"
Yea" said pleasantly, gazing absent.
at the sky.
AywI