Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1910-02-12
CHAPTER xvI.-(Continued.)


Charles foresight, and we made most
excellent supper of ported ham, boned
chicken, pilot biscuit and coffee, boiled as
only Charles knows how. While supper
was being prepared Duponceau and 1
made the round of the house, putting up
the great storm-shutters with which | US
ually 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. / 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 |
never thought of 1t as useful for log
house In case of attack by land. | was
very proud Of 1t when we barred the last
shutter.
Meanwhile Charles was spreading the
table, and Rodney, reclining upon a couch
as became a wounded warrior was puff
fng contentedly 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 a member of a
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: II haven't had such a good time
since / went r-hunting In Labrador /;
but ! 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," / answered.
Rodney grunted. You talk of a day
or two as though time were nothing. The
r1a,la afohf In, laox @har
an hour. However, i don't care so long
AZ suppers come
We disposed of a prodigious meal, and
when we had finished Duponceau exam
lined 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?" j ex-
claimed.
Certainly not but possibly we can
end this campaign tonight Come with
me-"
Rodney and ! 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 j could see a quick look Of alarm
fare up IN the captiye's eyes.
II am about TO propose" said Dupon-
eaau, "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 1
fight h out, you 90 withdraw your party
If ! win, ] to 10 with you If ] Loser
Come, that sounds fair enough" He
loosed the bandage from the prisoners
mouth. The wry smile reappeared.
what do you take me forf I'm no
fenoer, and the parties back OF nae
wouldn't stand for such q game anyhow
They want you taken quietly, delivered
up. aud don't care what happens 10 any
number Of me-"
Duponoeau looken taken abaok be
thought over the mans words Tor q no-
nant then turned % us. you'll bear
witness that I've done every thing in my
power 10 eettle dis affair Nith tho loss
Of pobody'e blood bat my own, and that
my onef WAS refused
Rodney aud ! agreed What shall Ne
40 Niu hlm| ! asked
Turn hlm Loose, said Rodpef, 'lts
bsftiar ~ Aafe ail ouf spsmles on che
saulf side of che house"
DppQneoau Nns IA like mlnd a. ~
f0ak ihe nlau aoNn stains. and opening
ihe front d0or, sent him oui INTO rle
night tlil ie|l me chief about NAAf sou
offered he SAID as Ae ieli Rnd n he
Says iis a ~. Nf'N bllnf euf Nsai fHnnor
WiiN NRe NJ pnee liui guu nfeani
etpeei hlu fol fNW NliAi l'ft board iNN
lnas Hau'i llsh Az aiaNne ai 'aslns 1put
closed lle 4oof Nna d0uhlg lpIni ~.
Charlie hnd lalN p Nlf NnN iiaNld NJ.
lQf ~ SEQ Al filN HiiH NW Nle "l