Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1910-01-29
CHAPTER xyI.-(continued.)

OIlAf y IL Ooulinueuj
The larder was wel-stocked, thanks to
Charles foresight and we made a most
excellent supper Of ported ham, boned
chicken, pilot biscuit. and coffee, boiled ms
only Charles knows how. While supper
was being prepared Duponceau and I
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 packlng-boxes
and extra-heavy furniture against the
doors, 30 that they might be ready to
withstand any sudden attack. l was sur
prised to find how snug we could make
che cottage. 1t had been built to weather
the toughest of off-shore gales. but
never thought OF 1t as useful for log
mouse In case Of attack by land. was
very proud OF 1t when we barred the last
shutter.
Meanwhile Charles was spreading the
cable, and Rodney, reclining upon couch
es became wounded warrior, was puff
fng contentedly at the first cigarette he
had had In three days.
little did l think. Selden," said he,
~when lunched with you that day, that
I'D be coming back as member OF
midnight garrison, defending a mysterious
gentleman In black cloak, who popped
up out Of the sea. Not but what | enjoy
st." he added as Duponcean looked his
way; az haven't had such a good time
since / went bear-hunting in Labrador !;
but ! should like to know what's happen
cd to the market"
Perhaps / can smuggle Charles
through the enemy's lines to the club In a
day or two," l 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, don't care so long
az supper's come
We disposed OF prodigious meal, and
when we had finished Duponccau exam
aned with great interest an armory of old
swords and other war-like instruments
chat 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 himT' I ex-
claimed.
Certainly not but possibly we car
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. Duponcear
flung the two swords on the center-table
and | could see quick look of alarm
flare up In the captive's eyes.
81 am about to propose" said Dupon
ceau. "a happy settlement Of all our diff
oulties Instead OF your band of six Of
eight outlaws fighting my three comrades
and myself, what say you IL you and
fght II out, you to withdraw your part,
II | win, / to go with you If / lose
Come, that sounds fair enough" HI
loosed the bandage from the prisoner
mouth. The wry smile reappearsd.
"What do you take me fort I'm NJ
eencer, and the parties back of m
wouldn't stand for such a game anyhow
They want you taken quietly, delivered
up, and don't care what happens to an.
number of me-"
Duponceau looken taken aback b
Thought over the mans words for a mo
enent, then turned to us. you'll bea
witness that I've done everything In M
power to settle this affair with the los
OF nobody's blood but my own, and tina
my offer was refused"
Rodney and agreed. What shall W
DO with hlm2' l. asked.
1uTu nun .lOOse bdlu ANouhcJ. ~
BETTER to have all our enemies on tn
same side of the house."
Duponceau was of like mind, SC "
took the man downstairs. and, openin
che front door. sent him out Into tn
might. ''I'll tell the chief about what 20
offered" he said as he left, land II b
says It's a go, wen bring our best fence
with a flag of truce. But you needn
expect him. for from what I've heard tn
BOSS won't risk no chance Of losing you.
l closed the door. and double-bolted |
Charles had laid a fire and lighted !
for we were all stiff with our life o
board the Ship, and as l stretched OF
comfortably before II / remembered tn
old English saying that a mans house
his castle, and was determined that n
men In the pay OF private schemel
should enter mine without my full col
sent