The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-09-10
CHAPTER XVI.-(Continued.)

The larder was wel-stocked, thanks 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
was being prepared Duponceau and
made the round of the house, putting up
the great storm-shutters with which l u.s.
uaIly protected the windows from the
winter gales, and piling packing boxes
and 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 1t had been built to weather
the toughest of off-shore gales. but l
never thought Of it as useful for log
house in case of attack by land. l was
very proud of it when we barred the last
shutter.
Meanwhile Charles was spreading the
table, and Rodney, reclining upon couch
as became wounded warrior. was puff
fling contentedy at the first cigarette he
had had in three days.
Little did | think, Selden," said he.
"when | lunched with you that day, that
I'd be coming back as a member of
midnight garrison, defending mysterious
gentleman in a black cloak. who popped
up out of the sea. Not but what | enjoy
It," he added, as Duponcean looked his
way; 81 haven't had such a good time
since | went bear-hunting in Labrador:
but should like to know what's happen
ed to the market"
Perhaps l can smuggle Charles
tho "a fO he a
day or two," l answered.
Rodney grunted. You talk of 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 Duponccau 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 l followed him up to my
study, where our prisoner was stretched
out in the Morris chair. Duponceau
flung the two swords on the center-table.
and 1 could see 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
culties. Instead Of your band Of six or
eight outlaws fighting my three comrades
and myself, what say you If you and l
fight it out, you to withdraw your party
If win. l to go with you If l lose?
Come, that sounds fair enough" He
loosed the bandage from the prisoners
mouth. The wry smile reappeared.
what do you take me for? I'm no
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 loOken taken aback; he
thought over the mans words for a 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 l agreed. what shall we
do with him" l asked.
Turn him loose said Rodney "Its
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. ''Tli tell the chief about what you
offered" he said as he left, "and if he
says it's a CO. we'll bring our best fencer
with a flag of truce. But yon 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-bolt It,
Charles had laid a fire and lighted it,
for we were all stiff with our life on
board the Ship. and as l stretched out
comfortably before it l remembered the
old English saying that a mans house is
his castle. and was determined that nc
men in the pay Of private schemers
should enter mine without my full con
Hent