The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-06-23
the road, .hiz. mustache droopinr ais

the road, his nustachs' dropping dis
mally.
II not yours. mine--of that I am cer-
| tain"
YES" he agreed. with a growl Il
will yet get my hands on him, and
when do, he will have to reason to re-
| member 1t. Adieu, citizen" he added.
My compliments to the lady. Come.
my Children, march," and he and his
soldiers set off toward Tours, bearing
their dead with them
l watched them for a few moments
with something like regret. After all
Dubosq had spoken truly. had seen
little Of the world, and he had offered
me chance to see more, in gallant
company. / could notcbut admit that
he would have made an admirable
guide and companion. If his cockade
had only been white But even then I
could not have followed. him. For
was not free-another duty lay before
me. Would ever be free, wondered
free to march away whittier 1 listed, to
live mans life and grow to mans
stature Or would always be tied to
some woman's petticoat. Imprisoned in
a petty round of daily duties, as were
so many men? Was Ion this journey
simply exchanging one petticoat for
another?
With such thoughts for companions
surely, less pleasant than Dubosq -
turned my face again to the south,
gloomily enough, and strobe along with
such speed as my legs could compass.
am not fond of foot exercise, and 1t
was not at all in this ridiculous fashion
that had thought to make the Journey
to Poitiers. Besides, there was need
that my entry into that city should be
made with a certain dignity, and
knew well that the whole contents Of
my purse would not purchase a new
horse, to say nothing of q new equip
ment.
That's Triboulet,.. he said. "a fine
fellow" -. 80
YES" I agreed. And his wife"
My captor smacked his lips.
She made you an omelet?''
The best eyer-ate." -, ., So
"She is famous for that" he said, and
looked at me again, pulling pensively at
his mustache.
Come. citizen" he added, and this
time he actually smiled, at is evident
that you are not the game am after"
Il should hope So" l. agreed.
Il am looking for wolf. not for a
mouse"
AT least am not WOLF" con-
coded.
"Old Dubosq has seen too much of
the world to- be mistaken In matter
so clear as this" he continued, throw
ing out his chest "A conspiracy? Bah?
You don't know it's meaning. You're too
pink and white-too much OF the nur-
sery--its odor clings to you'll why, in
from your mother!"
flushed, and he burst into a roar
of laughter as he saw my face.
"A hit!" he cried. "Ah, citizen,
would I could blush like that! But
for Dubosq that day is past and far
away. Come, my friend, all you need
Is q little knowledge Of the world to
my troop and let Dubosq finish you.
polish you, give you the true air.
Gomez it ,shall-be my, revenge" 49,
Your revenge?"
Against the women. They have
made me suffer and have laughed. A
month ago, won my promotion. but
petticoat interviewed, and the reward
which should have, been mine passed
to another. Some day 1 will tell you"
A shout from his men interrupted
him.
We sprang to our feet and saw, Just
topping the rise in the road. another
rider He drew short up at the shout
and at sight Of the guard barring his
passage. Then he wheeled around as
though to retreat, but again stopped.
Dubosq chuckled.
Caught" he. cried!
But why doesn't he go back"
asked. t..+.t- o.
Because. my child, there's another
detachment across the road down
yonder, as you would have seen had
you looked around" He drew a pistol
from his belt and fired 1t in the air.
That will bring them on" he added.
Now, citizen. you will see the trap
close-the trap of Sergeant Dubosq.
Advance, men! Bring him down II he
attempts to escape" .,,,.
The Blues began to advance slowly,
their guns presented. oraH 9|l
Hold your horse. citizen" said Du-
bose. ."and wait here for me. ]. have
something more to say to you." and he
set off after his men. !, -.e,','.
| The fugitive looked about him again.
| He was fairly caught between two
| fires. In moment; he must surrender,
| covered by 20 muskets, But he did
not wait for that moment. Instead, he
put his horse at the ditch, ieaped 1t
| and made off across the fields. 49,
""Fire!" yelled Dubosq. "Fire!"
| A volley of shots rang out, echoed
by another from behind the knoll,
| and my heart rejoiced as I saw the
fugitive keep on unharmed.' But only
| for an instant. s. His horse bounded
| twice-then- staggered and fell head
| long. "a i
L The Blues gave yell Of triumph
4 leaped.f' the ditch :andr'startedc after
their 70 quarry, spreading, faprwise, SO
that he could not escape, But he
t'sprang from the Saddle even al shf1
! horse ,fellc and vpans with surprising
speed TOWARD q cluster of trees just
| ahead. In a moment he had disap-
| peAred among them. h,n sft,Tef'
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