The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1910-02-10
CHAPTER xvL-ecoasinusd. j.,


Tho larder was weil-stocked. thanks C
Charles fcresixht. and re made a mos
excellent supper OF ported ham. bonee
chicken, pilot biscuit. and coffee. boiled Al
only Charles Knows how. While supper
was being prepared Duponceau and
made thc round Of the house. putting ~
the great sforurshutters with which Us
ually protected the windows from ths
winter gales. and pilinx packing-ooxes
and e~xtra-heavy furniture against the
doors. so that they might be ready to
withstand any sudden attack. ] was sur
prised 10 find how snug we could make
the cottage. Il had been built to weather
1hs toughest Of od-shore gales. but
never thought Of II as useful for a log
house In case of attack by land. l was
very proud Of II when We barred the last
shutter.
Meanwhile Charles was spreading the
table and Rodney, reclining upon a couch
a. became a wounded warrior. was puff
ing contentedly az the first cigarette he
had had In three days.
Little did I think. Selden," said he.
when l lunched with you that day, that
I'd be coming back as a member Of a
midnight garrison. defending a mysterious
rentlenan in a black cloak. who popped
ND out Of the sea. Not but what | enjoy
IT." he added. as Duponcean looked his
way: L haven't had such a good time
since 7 went b~ear-hunting In Labrador /;
but / should like to know what's happen
ed to the market"
perhaps I can smuggle Charles
through the enemy's lines to the club In a
day or two," I answered
Rodney grunted. You talk Of q day
or two as though time were nothing. The
whole bottom might drop out in less than
an hour. However, l don't care 50 long
a. supper's come
We disposed Of a prodigious meal. and
when We had finished Duponceau exam
ined with great interest an armory Of old
swords and other war-like Instruments
that hung over the mantelpiece- 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 kin himT" I sx-
claimed
Certainly not; but possibly we can
end this campaign tonight. Come with
me-"
Rodney and I 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 I could see & quick look Of alarm
fare up In the cnptive'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 II you and /
fight It out, you to withdraw your party
II / win. / to 60 with you # l lose7
Come, that sounds fair enough" He
the bandags from the prisoners
The wry smile reappearsd-
"what do you take me for? I'm no
and the parties pack Of me-
They want you taken quietly, delivered
up. and don't are what happens to any
Of me"
Duponceau Iooken taken aback; he
over the mans words for q mo-
then turned TO Us. you'll bear
that I've lone everything in my
power to yetfls this affair with the loss
Of nobodys blood but my own, and that
nv offer wss refused"
Rodney aud I agreed. what shall we
DO with himT' / asked
Turn him loose said Rodney. -Its
better TO rave all our enemies on the
same side Of the house."
Duponceau was Of like mind. 50 we
took the man downstairs, and. opening
the front door, sent him out into the
night. "T11 tell the chief about what you
offered" be said as he left, "and If he
ssys it's a 20, well bring our best fencer
With a flag Of truce. Bat o needn't
him, for from what I've heard the
boss won't risk no chance Of losing you"
I closed the door. and double-bolted 1t.
Charles had laid a fire ard lighted 1t,
'or We were all stiff with our life on
,oard the Ship, and as ! stretched out
comfortably before IL l remembered the
Id English saying that a mans house 10
is castle. and was determined that no
uen in the pay Of pdvats schemers
hould enter mine without my full con-
snt.