Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-06-25
rHAPTER XVI-(Continued.)

The larder was Weil-stocked, thankB to
Charles foresight, and we made most
excellent supper Of potted ham, boned
chicken, pilot biscuit, and coffee, boiled as
only Charles knows how. While supper
vas being prepared Duponceau and I
made the round of the house, putting up
rho great storm-shutters with which l u.s.
uaIIv protected the windows from the
winter gales, and piling packing-boxes
md extra-heavy furniture against the
doors so that they might be ready to
withstand any sudden attack. l was sur
prised to find how snug we could make
The cottage. It had been built to weather
the toughest Of of-shore gales, but [
never thought of it as useful for log
house In case of attack by land. [ was
very proud of it when we barred the last
shutter.
Meanwhile Charles was spreading the
table, and Rodney, reclining upon couch
as became a wounded warrior, was puff
Anz contentedly at the first cigarette he
had had in three days.
Little did I think, Selden,~ said he,
''when Iunched with you that day, that
I'd be coming back as member of a
Midnight oS
gentleman in @ black cloak, who popped
uD out Of the sea. Not but what enjoy
r." he added, as Duponcean looked his
wav. "I haven't had such a good time
since I went bear-huntlng in Labrador
but I should like to know what's happen
ed to the market"
Perhaps can smuggle Charles
through the enemy's lines to the club in a
day or two," 1 answered.
Rodney grunted, You talk Of a day
or two as though time were nothing. The
whole bottom might drop out in less than
an hour. However, l don't care so long
as supper's come"
We disposed of prodigious meal, and
when we had finished Duponceau exam
ined with great interest an armory of old
swords and other war-like instruments
that hung over the mantel-piece. Finally
he unlocked two long and rusty blades,
compared them carefully, and, carrying
them with him, went to the stairs.
You're not going to kill him?" I ex-
claimed.
Certainly not; but possibly we can
end this campaign tonight. Come with
me-"
Rodney and I followed him UP to my
study where our prisoner was stretched
out in the Morris chair. Duponceau
flung the two swords on the comfortable
and l could see a quick look Of alarm
flare up in the captive's eyes.
Il am about to PROPOSE" said Dupon-
ceau, "a happy settlement of all our diff
cuIties. Instead of your band of six or
eight outlaws fighting my three comrades
and myself, what say you If you and
fight 1t out, you to withdraw your party
if l win, l to go with you If l lose!
Come that sounds fair enough" He
loosed the bandage from the prisoner
mouth. The wry smile reappeared.
What do you take me forY I'm nc
fencer, and the parties back Of me
wouldn't stand for such a game anyhow
They want you taken quietly, delivered
up, and don't care what happens to any
number of me-"
Duponceau Iooken taken aback; he
thought over the mans words for mo-
ment, then turned to US. you'll bear
witness that I've done everything in my
power to settle this affair with the loss
of nobody's blood but my own, and that
my offer was refused"
Rodney and I agreed. What shall we
DO with him? I asked.
Turn him loose said Rodney. "It's
better to have all our enemies on the
same side of the house."
Duponceau was of like mind, so we
took the man downstairs, and, opening
the front door, sent him out Into the
night. 'Ill tell the chief about what you
offered" he said as he left, "and if hs
says it's a go, We'll bring our best fencel
with a flag of truce. But you needn't
expect him, for from what I've heard the
boss won't risk no chance of losing you
l closed the door, and double-bolted 1t
Charles had laid a fire and lighted it
for we were all stiff with our life or
board the Ship, and as l stretched out
comfortably before it l remembered the
old English saying that mans house ii
his castle, and was determined that nc
men in the pay Of private schemerE
should enter mine without my full con
sent