The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1911-02-17

In an Instant Nathaniel had -ecov-
AIRED himself. He advanced a step.
bowling coolly.
Il am Captain Plum, OF the sloop
Typhoon," he said. Il called at your
home a short time ago and was d.
rected to your office. As a stranger
on the island l did not know that you
had an Office or l would have come
here first"
"Ah!"
The king drew his right foot back
half a pace and bowed so low that
Nathaniel saw only the crown OF HIS
hat. When he raised his head the
aggressive stare had gone out of his
eyes and a welcoming smile lighted
up his face as he advanced with eX-
tended hand.
81 am glad to see YOU. Captain
Plum"
His voice was deep and rich. filled
with that wonderful Migratory power
which seems to strike and attune the
hidden chords of ones soul. The mans
appearance had not prepossessed Ma
thaniel, but at the sound of his voice
he recognized that which had made
him the prophet of men. AS the warm
hand of the king clasped his own
Captain Plum knew hat he was in the
presence of a master of human desti-
MES, a man whose ponderoUs red
visaged body was simply the crude
instrument through which spoke the
marvellous spirit that ha,, enslaved
thousands to him, that had enthralled
a state legislature and that had hyp-
Noticed Il federal jury into giving him
back his freedom when evidence
snlothercd him in crime. He felt him
self sinking in the presence Of this
man and struggled ~fiercely TO regain
himself. He withdrew his hand and
Strengthened himself like a soldier.
Il have come to you with a griev-
ance, Mr.. Strang," he began. "A
grievance which | feel sure you will
do your best to right. Perhaps you
are aware that some little time ago
about two weeks back-your people
boarded my ship in force II robbed
me Of several thousand dollars worth
of merchandise"
Strang had drawn a step back.
Aware of it," he exclaimed in a
voice that shook the room. aware
of it," The red of his face turned
purple and he clenched his free hand
in sudden passion. Aware of it," He
repeated the words, this time SO gent
ly that Nathaniel could scarcely heal
them, and tapped his heavy stick upon
the floor.
4 NO, Captain Plum. was not aware
4 of it. If | had been" He shrugged his
thick shoulders. The movement, ant
It a sudden CLEAN of his teeth through
r his beard, were expressive enough tol
Nathaniel to understand.
d Then the king smiled.
Are you sure-are you quite sure
t. Captain Plum, that it was my peopl'
who attacked your ship? If So, o
" course o must have some prOof?'
e I'VE were cry neal to Beaver is
land and many miles from the main
land" said Nathaniel. 1T could onl,
have been your people,
n "Ah!"
Ie Strang led the way to a table at tn
10 farther end of the room and motione
- Nathaniel to a seat opposite him.
y I'VE are a much prosecuted people
le Captain Plum, very much prosecute
- indeed" His wonderful voice tren
a. bled with a subdued pathos. Nv
IS have answered for many sins tina
VI have never beer ours, Captain Plum
and among them are robbery. pirac
III and ever murder. The people alOn
is the coasts are deadly enemies to U
re who would be their friends; the
m commit crimes in our name n we d
,e not retaliate. 1t was lot my peopl
IN who waylaid your vessel. They wer
IS fishermen, probably, who came frol
the Michigan shore and awaited the
er opportunity off Beaver island. But
We shall investigate this; believe me,
shall investigate this fully, Capital
Plum"
Nathaniel felt something like
es great choking fist shoot up into h
throat. 1t was not q sensation of fe;
but OF humiliation-the humiliation
defeat, the knowledge of his OW
weakness in the hands OF this ma
who had SO quickly and SO surel
us blocked his claim. His quick brai
Wy saw the futility of argument. H
ng possessed no absolute proof and
nd had thought that he needed non
Strang say the flash Of doubt in h
* face, the %hesitancy in his answer;
MI OWNED tina NnrIinv Of tho Nfhal,