Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-09-09
CHAPTER XI.

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 l boarded the Ship soon after 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
careful lookout.
II was perhaps 4 o'clock when. as
sat on the gunwale of the Ship, summing
myself and leisurely smoking a pipe,
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 80 l made a pitcher Of claret
cup"
Much obliged to you, Charles. Take 1t
down to the cabin, where h'll keep cool
until we want it,
Charles disappeared with the clinkins
pitcher. When he returned l spoke again.
"What is Monsieur Duponceau doingT
"He is lying in one of the hunks, sir,
with his eyes wide open. and when he
sees me, ne 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 !"
81 don't expect to be much at home for
come 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 a
flag come over at once. Otherwise, keep
mum"
"Yes, Mr.. Felix. I've been pestered all
that wants to know my business. May l
land 'em one If they interfere?"
'You man land 'em one whenever you
feel like it; only, land so hard that there
won't be any comeback"
YES, l will, sir" and Charles made
so bold as to grin. 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
curiously machine-like rhythm. Far
out the funnel of a south-bound steamer
sent black ribbon across the sky; to the
west of the Shifting Shoal a sloop was
lying to, waiting for the evening breezes.
l half dozed, thinking what a peaceful
scene 1t was.
Half an hour later heard Duponceau
call my name from the cabin stairs.
ITS getting intolerably warm down
here; might 1t not be possible for me to
come on deck If kept in the shadow OF
the gunwalep
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-
ceau of this, and then told him the mo
ment, the beach being clear, he might dart
from the hatchway, and scurry across to
shelter. This ne did, and, with a sigh
Of thankfulness at having reached fresh
outer air, he stretched himself in the
shadow, and l sat opposite, facing him
and watching the shore.
1--WE been sleeping" Duponceau said,
so that l 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.
'WhyT l asked.
because" He hesitated. "Because
| have enemies who would shut me awav
from the sea and the sky and the sun,
and so l have to come to some lonely cor.
ner 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
1t did not seem strange to me to listen tc
the thoughts OF an exile spoken In q
voice that was musically clear. The
frankness of the man cleared awav ali
barriers.
Suddenly looking up, caught sight n.
Barbara coming towards US by the patb
behind the cliff. She carried a packa oe
under her arm. As watched her descend
carefully, l saw the two men that I bad
met in the morning come out of the mines
and approach her. AS she saw them an.
pear, Barbara involuntarily glanced owe,
to the Ship, and the men INSTANTLY tprr.
ed their eyes in the same direction ,nd
so caught sight of me.
"Sit still and keep very low." I va;s.
pered to Duponceau, under cover a. NV
pipe.
Barbara took step forward.
Not so fast. Where are Won ooin, ~
demanded the surly faced chap.
II am going-where choose .he m
swered, and took another step.
You're not going out to that sb;n +,
he stated. There's some one hidine ha,,
we mean to find"
l caught his words and jumped 70 mn
feet. N'
What's the trouble? Miss Graham
won't you come on boardT"
l was careful to lean directly svs- In.
ponceau, in order to shield him better
We'll all three come" Announced %,
man. '"e
l was put out; It would be jmno..;h,,
for Duponceau to crawl from the .ba,.
ter OF the gunwale to the cabin now With
out being seen. temporized. "
Well" said l, Suppose
Come on" said the leader r. ~.