The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-06-03

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I might be lurking In the bushes nearby.
However. by the time they reached the
little open space they satisfied them
selves that he was not following them.
We've passed our landing place."
said Hilary.
Looking out across the gray waters
he perceived. close at hand. and ap-
parently beached on the shore. the
white sail Of n sloop. II seemed TO be
the vessel which they had seen earlier
that afternoon, taeking toward the
south shore.
The men looked at each other. and
the same unspoken question was in
the eyes Of each. Then Lafe grabbed
Hilary by the shoulders.
See herei" he said. I'VE amt go-
ing to stay and fight Brousseau's gang
Just for the fun Of t. ! guess It's
Pierre and Leblanc In that Goat all
right. and that they're on their way
home. We beat Il for ours as hard as
we can go--see1 You amt it to do
no more fighting anyway" he pleaded.
"And won't. no matter what happens
that's straight 10 you. III fight any
man with ists II got TO. but I'm
darned n I'll stand up against that
scum with camp knives"
-You're quite right. Lafe." answered
Hilary. -COme, let's get to the boat as
quick as we can"
But as they started there rang out q
/ xvau,ansa rrv A1nNr, .a,.,a a.. ,...-.. ~. 4.
and In an instant. forgetful Of their
resolution, they had turned and raced
back along the trail.
Not many steps. and, breaking
through the trees. they saw Marie Du-
pont struggling In Pierre's arms. while
Leblanc and Nanette stood near them.
laughing.
Lafe leaped at Pierre. and his bony
fist caught the outlaw beneath the
chin. Pierre went down In n heap.
Hilary made for Leblanc. whose ex-
preston would, under other circum-
stances. have been comical In It's sur
prise.
He turned upon the girl ana
knocked her down savagely. Then.
without another glance at Hilary, he
made for the sloop.
Leaving Pierre where he had fallen.
Lafe joined In the pursuit. But Le-
blanc had several yards start, and his
experience of Hilary's prOwess lent
wings to his feet. He plunged into the
water and. by n miracle OF strength,
swung the sloop clear Of the sand on
which she had been beached. As the
vessel was carried clear by the swift
flowing tide the ex-jobber scrambled
aboard. dripping. and pushed OF with
the oar. Lafe and Hilary stood. baf-
fed. upon the brink OF the water.
while Leblanc. at an ever increasing
distance. began 10 pus up the sail.
shouting back defiant curses mean
while.
They heard a sound OF feet upon
the shingie behind them. and turned
quickly. IL was Pierre, but he was
bolting for the woods. They ran Mt
him, but he had gained the shelter Of
the trees, and II was growing too dark
to follow. They stopped and looked
back. Leblanc was now quite q dis
tnnce from the island, and making for
the north shore upon the incoming
tide.
Let's CO." said Hilary, ana lie took
Marie gently by the arm. She went
with him obediently. and Lafe fol.
lowed with Nanette. whose lip was
bloody from Leblane's blow.
The tide was running fairly for 81.
Boniface. II was almost dark now.
but the wind had died away and the
stars were brilliant. Hilary, taking
on his overcoat, wrapped Il about
Marie. The girls bewIlderment had
yielded TO abJect gratitude. She
raised HilaFy's hand TO ker lips and
pressed II. Beside her Nanette.
wrapped In Lafe's waterproof. was
sObbing wildly and wipIng her
wounded lip. The words that passed
were drowned In the sound Of the lap
ping waves before they reached the
ears Of Louis. at the tiller.
-NOw, what hnppenedF' asked Hi.
airy OF Marie. TELL me, and wen
clap those rufiisns into jail, I assure
you. How cid they get you into that
bOatr'
Marie sobbed out her explanation
hut when Hilary gathered. with ain.
Guilty from the broken words, STAN
mered In French. that she had gone
aboard with Pierre TO marry him In
Quebec. he could hardly believe his
ears.
-And your father knows nothing OF
thisr' he inquired. when she had
ended.
"fie knows nothIug. monsieur. An
monsieur. you saved me before. and
II was ungrateful. Promise me
swear TO me. that he shall never
know r.
~And you. Nanette." continued HIl
AIRY. addressing the weeping girl
what have you 60 say, who lured her
here. knowing thIsr'
* did not know. monsieur" cried
Nanette. -Pierre told me that n /
bring her he would get me back my
sweetheart"
Leblanc. ehf"
~Oui. monsieur. Then he take me
20 Quebec. and we get married. And
he promised me a wedding ring Ol
gold, mongieur."