The Detroit times., 1914-03-28

With only the knowledge, that
somewhere In the fastness of the
great wood our stout comrade still
lived, We were like men transformed;
for while there was the breath of life
In him. the end OF James Town was
not yet!
Marshall smote me q lusty blow be.
twixt the shoulders.
I'VE were overhasty In our mourn.
ing for John o. james Town." he said.
His vituperators be like to have
O chance to eat their words"
God Himself has set that feast
for them in the wilderness!" said Cos.
mold quickly.
We crowded about Percy with lit.
tie courtesy. intent on Smiths letter.
and I doubt II any speech Of his ever
more truly showed the manner OF
man he was than those written words
we now looked on.
First, he would have IN know he
was prisoner to the Emperor Powha-
tan. but the plans for his disposal he
could not say. This he would I'M
press upon US: we were not ON any
account to trust the savages who bore
his message. since they were naught
but spies for their king, who had re-
vealed to him that he purpCsed some
large villainy which should bring
about the death OF all the English
within the bounds of his lands. In
particular, we were not to attempt his
own rescue. since the strength Of the
colony was not sufficient for such an
enterprise. Ostensibly ne had des-
patched these messengers the king
had loaned him for certain trinkets.
but we were to use the occasion to
alright them well. making the fullest
display of our muskets and culver1ns;
as for the trinkets. we were to leave
them outside the fort at spot he
designated, since he had told them
In advance, to mystify them, where
these presents would be found after
they had given up the paper.
God knows, 1t passes all" cried
Percy, when he had como to the end
Of the letter. He turned TO me:
Whilst I hold these savages In talk.
do you and Marshall carry the news
into the fort. Have the drums beat,
get the men under arms, and send
the master gunner and q squad to the
platforms to fire the culverins. We
vim make such q tumult here az
would delight the very heart Of John
Smith himself"
AS I hurried on realized that my
mood had changed. Where had been
so, recently cast down. was now
elate. saw John Smiths handsome
bearded face and heard the honest
ring to his loud, CHEEKY laugh. II wSs
not such an evil season, after all.
With Marshall went from hut to
hut, passing the word that John
smith yet lived. and that We were
to furnish q lasting scare to the saw
ages who had brought his message.
Only some huts we passed BY. Tor
they sheltered RatcliffeS Following.
ana when the drums began to roll /
saw certain sour faces that looked on
disapprovingly at what Was going for.
ward. Then one Of the oulverins roar.
ed. and the same moment the sol.
diars fell into line and sailed out OF
the gate, to find smiths messengers
In full fiight to the woods. We gave
them q blank volley, which caused
them 70 mend their pace, though they
we're running maSvellously we'll.
percy set instantly at work drilling
|us in the cornfeld. every now and
then hating 10 to IRE a blank charge,
and eli this while the drums rolled.
and at intervals a cr.serin roaro0.
Our frolic was we'll under way when
|Ratclife. black Of face and attended
by Wingfield, Archer. and his httle
court. iSsued from the fort 10 com
plain OF the waste of gunpow0er.
Percy had already sent HIM Smiths
letter. 90 he was not In any doubt %
to the meaning OF the sudden tumult
s'ft's reckless extravaGance. Lieu.
tenant Percy. to burn the Company
powder In this fashion," heard him
say. ),
az think 1t An excellent strategy
retort0d Percy quietly. II doubt MOI
you have mastered the contents Of
Captain Smiths letter."
"'Tis like himself"
I'm that he puts our safety before
his own" answered Percy dyily.
do you take him seriously, then =
said RatclifIe. with q show OF choler
rs Il your wish I order back the
men. and save the Company's pow
|der?" demanded Percy.
saw Wingaeld pluck Radcliffe BY
the sleeve OF his doubiet and whisper
something In his ear, and our preol
dent, after listening q moment, nod
lded acQuiescence az he turned again
Ito Percy.
"Since you have such fancy fos
1.-The blank charges, 60 on with them
You must own, sir. they are marvel
lousy like him who has inspired
them"