The Washington herald., 1911-08-18
THE. PURCHASE PRICE
By EMERSON HOUGH
OF Mississippi Bubble &c.
Copyright The sMzrmco

anu passed ndnQ through tne nedVy
tangle of his reddish hair. The face
was that Of fanatic. 1t was later
not unknown in yet bloodier fighting.
The night faded after all, at last.
Along the level of the waters surface
came some glints from the eastern sky.
The horizon paled slightly. At last q
haggard dawn came to light the scene.
The shadows of the willow fiat opened,
and there lay exposed what now was
coast possessed by embattled forces.
Captain" began Dunwody at last,
turning to the commander Of the boat
forces. I'VE will be leaving before long.
You will take your boat downstream,
IL you please"
It's not as I please" rejoined the
other. You order US back from our
journey at your own PERIL
why argue the matter?" said Dun
wody, DULY. TT would do no good
We're as much In earnest as you are
about 1t, and we have beaten you You
belong to the army, but these are not
enlisted men, and you're not carrying
out any orders"
That part Of the argument is plain"
reJoined the young officer. But you are
mistaken II you think you can order me.
I'm an officer, and I'm on my own way,
=
was following a prisoner late In my
charge when I fell In with this party
bound up the river, to the Kansas
front"
The courts may take all that up.
This is Missouri soil''
Its no case for courts" answered the
other sternly. This win come before
the court Of God Himself
A bitter smile played over the face
Of the Missourian. You preach. Yet
you yourself are lawless as the worst
law breakers Who made our laws
you, or the whole people Of this country?
have no better aid tonight? It's the
long arm wins. You see, we will fight"
That I agree. It's force that wins,
but not brute force. You will see."
Argument exclaimed Dunwody
"The answer Is here at our feet-it's in
blood"
$50 be it thenp' said the other, solemn
ly. IF 1t means war let II be war I
admit that we have a fugitive slave on
board-a young woman-I suppose that
was the excuse for your attack"
1T was the cause Of It; and We intend
to take her." answered Dunwody. I'VE
didn't intend to use violence unless It
was necessary. But as to you, will you
take your boat below and out Of this
country?"
IT will not'
Very well, then: we'rI take you from
your own boat, and Wen make her pay
the penalty Z
by what right?"
by the right Of the long arm. since
you insist"
You would make US prisoners-wfth-
out any process Of law whateverr'
kto$ ty,
courts later, II you like" said Dunwody.
Meantime, Wen see II I can't find
place that will hold you"
Jameson" he called out an instant
later; Clayton; come here. Take the
roll of these men," he went on. IT
any Of them want to drop the thing at
this point and go back, let them give
parole. They'll have to agree to leave
and never come back here again."
That's an outrage broke out the
Northern leader. You and your band of
ruffians-you talk as though you owned
this State, as though this river weren't
made as a highway of this continent.
Don't you know that not even a river
can be owned by an entire State?
I'VE own this part Of 1t to-day" re-
Joined Dunwody, simply. This is our
judiciary. These are our legislators
whom you see." He slapped his rifle
stock, touched revolver butt at his
belt. "You left the highway when you
tied up to our shores. The temper Of my
men is such that you are lucky to have
a parole offered to you. You deserve
not the treatment OF soldiers, but of
spies You disgrace your uniform.
These men are only fools. But what do
they say, Clayton he demanded, turn
ing to the latter as he finally returned.
They consider the expedition at an
end" returned the judge. Three Of
them want to go on home to st. Louis.
Yates yonder Is IN favor OF hanging
losing Desha"
Dunwody looked the young leader
calmly In the face. you hear" said he
But you shall see that we are not such
ruffians at heart. in spite of all. It's
my intention to conclude this matter as
decently as possible
The others are willing to return,''
continued Judge Clayton. They want
to know what their captain Intends
Their captain does not intend to sur
render" rejoined the latter fearlessly.
Let those desert who like"
'T am with you, captain quietly
said a tall young man. Of German ac-
cent, who had been foremost In the
fighting.
Good, Lieutenant Kammerer; I knew
you'd stick" commented the leader.
"As to the boat, Judge Clayton" re-
sumed Dunwody, what shall we do
with herr"
Burned boats tell no tales" here call
ed out young Yates sententiousiy.
ro BE CONTINUED TOMORROW