Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-07-22
CHAPTER XVI.
Continued -

"I do not insist on your taking
this task upon you" he added. 81
want a man to go and talk with
these people and get their point OF
view. II you don't care to under
take it I'll send another man"
II think that I would enjoy the
task" l said in ignorance of the
hornets nest back in the hills.
Take Purvis with you" he said.
HE can take care of the horses,
and as those back-country folk ARE
a, little lawless it will be Just as
well to have a witness with you.
They tell me that Puryis is man
of nerve and vigor."
Thus very deity and without
alarming me he had given me no
ton of the delicate nature of my
task. He had great faith in me
those days. Well, / had had re-
markably good luck with every mat
ter he had put into my hands. He
used to say that / would make a
diplomat and playfully called me
Lord Chesterfield"-perh be-
cause I had unconsciously acquired
a dignity and courtesy OF manner
beyond my years little.
Mr.. Purvis" had been busy
building up a conversational repu-
tatton for frightfulnees In the gar
dens. He was held in awe by a
number of the supplemented men
with whom he worked. For him
life had grown very pleasant again
"a sweet, uninterrupted dream OF
physical power and fleeing enemies.
l tremble to think what might have
happened IL his strength and cour-
age had equaled his ambition.
smiled when the Judge spoke of his
nerve and vigor. Still / was glad
of his company, for I enjoyed Pur-
Wis.
I had drafted my letters for the
day and was about to close my
desk and start on my journey when
Louis Latour came in and an
nounced that he had brought the
writs from the judge and was 60
in gwitf me.
You willyneed a sheriff's deputy
anyhow and l have been appoint
ed for just this kind Of work." he
assured me.
ct don't object to your going but
you must remember, that l am in
command" l said. a little taken
back, for l had no good opinion
either of his prudence or his com
pany.
He was four years older than !
but l had better judgment, poor as
it was, and our chief knew it.
"1she judge told me that | could
go but that should be under your
ORDERS" he answered. I'm not
going to be a fool. I'm trying TO
establish a reputation for good
sense myself"
We got our dinners and set out
soon after O'Clock. Louis wore a
green velvet riding coat and hand
some top boots and snug-fltting,
gray trousers. He was a gallant
figure on the high-headed chestnut
mare which his father had sent to
him. Purvis and l. in our work
ing suits, were like pair of order
lies following a general. We rode
two of the best saddle horses in
the judges stable and there were
no better in that region.
| had read the deds of the men
we were to visit. They were broth
ers and lived on adjoining farms
with leases which covered three
hundred and fifty acres of land.
Their great grandfather had agreed
to pay a yearly rent forever of So
bushels of good, sweet. merchant
able. winter wheat, eight yearling
cattle and four sheep in good flesh
and sixteen fat hens. all to be de-
livered in the city of Albany on
the first day of January OF each
year So, feeling that I was en-
gagged in Just cause, l bravely de-
termined to serve the wrlts If pos
sible.
1t was a delightful ride up into
the highlands through woods just
turning green. Full flowing noisy
brooks cut the road here and there
on their way to the great river.
Latour rode along beside me for a
few miles and began TO tell of his
sentimental adventures and con-
quests. His task showed that he
had the heart of a stone. II made
me hate him and the more because