Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1910-01-07
CHAPTER XI.

Monsieur Duponceau should keep himself
we'll hid, and to this end he spent his days
in the cabin Of the Ship, coming out only
when night had fallen, and then most cir
oumspectly. There were not the same rea-
sons for concealment in my case, however,
% / boarded the Ship soon after l left
Barbara that day and set up my easel as
an excuse In case any chance observers
should look across the beach and see me.
This also gave me the chance to keep
careful lookout.
Il was perhaps 4 o'clock when, as l
sat on the gunwale Of the Ship, summing
myself and leisurely smoking a pipe, /
saw Charles approaching with pitcher
and glasses.
THE afternoon being 80 warm,
thought that you and the other gentleman
might b wanting something cool to drink,
sir," he explained, when he had come
on board; $50 I made q pitcher Of claret
Cup"
"Much obliged to you, Charles. Take 1t
down to the cabin, where It'll keep cool
until we want It.
Charles disappeared with the blinking
pitcher. When he returned spoke again.
"What IL Monsieur Duponceau doingT
HE Is lying In one Of the hunks, sir,
with his eyes wide open, and when he
sees me, ne says, sort Of pleasant-like,
You're trying to make me think I'm back
In Parss, but unfortunately the setting
Int the samsw
II don't expect to be much at home for
some time, Charles. I'm going to help
Monsieur Duponceau here. We may need
you suddenly, 80 keep an eye on the
broken mast, and If you see a lamp or a
dag come over at once Otherwise, keep
num-"
eyes, Mr.. Felix. I've been pestered all
day with some Of them skulklng fellows
that wants to know my business. May
land 'sm one If they interfereP"
You man land 'em one whenever you
feel like it I, only, land 30 hard that there
won't be any comeback"
Eyes, will, sir; !" and Charles made
70 bold as to grin. I could see that the
spirit of fight was taking hold Of him
also.
went back to my pipe and my drowsy
survey Of the sea. There was little wind,
and the oily rollers swept calmly in with
. CurlouSly machine-like rhythm. Far
cut the funnel Of a south-bound steamer
sent q black ribbon across the sky; to the
west Of the Shifting Shoal a sloop was
lying to, waiting for the evening bree8es.
half dozed, thinking what peaceful
scene It was,
Half an hour later heard Duponceau
call my name from the cabin stairs.
"ItB getting intolerably warm down
here might It not be possible for me to
- l., ~ -
the gunwaler
I looked the situation over, and decld-
cd that no one could possibly see a man
who hid at the side Of the ship, keeping
low down by the rail. / advised DupOn-
csau Of this, and then told him the mo-
mGnt, the beach being clear, he might dart
from the hatchway, and scurry across to
shelter. This he did, and, with a sigh
Of thankfulness at having reached fresh
--saiUze an, ne stretched himself In the
shadow, and | eat opposite, facing him
and watching the shore.
I've been sleeping" Duponceau said,
ns0 that could stand watch tonight
What q beautiful worldl But it's not
like France nothing is like France And
to think may not see 1t again I"
"Why2" I asked.
"Because-" He hesitated. Because
I have enemies who would shut me away
from the sea and the sky and the sun,
and 50 have to come to some lonely cor
her Of the New World, and seek refuge.
All. this new world Of yours 1t is good
for the young, but not for those who
S have grown gray In the Old. There Is
only one world for them and one land
for mel love 1t as might love a WON.
an"
Foreigners have the habit Of sentiment
It did not seem strange to me to listen t.
the thoughts Of an exile spoken In q
voice that was unsteady clear. The
trankness of the man cleared away al
barriers.
Suddenly looking up, caught sight o.
Barbara coming towards US by the patti
behind the cliff. She carried q packaR,
under her arm. As watched her descend
carefully, l saw the two men that hat
met In the morning come out of the pine
and approach her. As she saw them an
pear, Barbara involuntarily glanced owe
to the Ship, and the men instantly turn
"a their eyes In the same direction, an
% caught sight Of me.
persd to Duponceau, under cover Of m
pipe
Barbara took q step forward.
"NOt 30 fast. Where are you going
demanded the surly faced chap.
II am going-where choose" she al
EwsrSd, and took another step.
you're not going out to that Ship
he stated There's some one hiding he
We mean to find"
l caught his words and Jumped to Z
esst.
whats the troublsH Miss Graha
won't you come on board"
was careful to lean directly over {
ponceau, In order to shield him better.
wen all three come" announced I
man.
was put out It would be ImpossI
for Duponceau to crawl from the n
ter Of the Eunwals to the cabin now wi
out bang seen. temporiESd.
"WGll," said 1, suppose"