The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-02-02

they knew full well-a man Who ate
little, but who did not disdain bottle
of Madeira or, a glass of brandy, and
who made good every step of the way
he went--watchful, alert. careful, de-
termined. They trusted him and they
cared little what his past had been.
Somehow, in spite OF the criminal
record with which Dyck Cahoun's life
WAS stained, they had respect for
him they did not haye for Lord NAL
low. Dycks life In Jamaica was clean;
and his progress as a planter had been
free from black spots. He even Kept
no mistress. and none had ever known
MIN to have to do with women, black,
brown or white. He had never gone
a-Maylng, as the saying was, and his
only weakness or fault-if 1t was
fautt-was fondness for the bottle of
good wine, which was ever open on his
table, aud for tobacco In the smoking
leaf. Today lie smoked necessarily
and carefully. He threw no loose ends
Of burning tobacco from cigar or pipe
into the loose dry leaves and stlfI-cut
ground. Yet they knew the small
clouds that fioated' away from his
head did not check his observations
That was proved beyond peradvenure
when they were within sight of the
homestead of Salem on an upland we'll
wooded. 1t was in apparently happy
circumstances, for they could see no
commotion about the homestead; they
saw men with muskets, evidently keep
Ing guard-yet too openly keeping
guard, as they all thought, and so
some said to each other.
Presently Dyck re.ned in his horse,
and stretched out hand to detain
them. Each man listened attentively
and watched the wood ahead of them,
for it was clear Dyck suspected dan
ger there. For moment there seemed
doubt In Dyck's mind what to do, but
when it was up he had decided.
Ride slow for Salem lie said. ITS
Maroons there in the bush. They are
waiting for night They won't attack
us now. They're in ambush-of that
I'm sure. IL they want to capture Sa-
lem, they'll not give alarm by firing Oh
u.s. so II we ride Oh they'll think we
haven't sensed them. If they do at
tack us, We'll know they are In good
numbers, for they'll be facing US as
we'll as the garrison of Salem. But
keep your muskets ready. Have n
drink" he added, and handed round
his horn of liquor. III they see us
drink, and they will, they'll think
we've only stopped TO refresh, and
We'll be safe. In any case, If they at
tack, fire your muskets at them and
ride like the devil. Don't dismount
and don't try to find them in the
rocks. It's poor game fighting hid.
den men. You see, want to get them
into the open below, and that's where
they'll be before we're many hours
older"
With this lie rode on slightly ahead,
and presently put his horse at u gen.
tic canter which he did not increase
as they nenred the place where the
black men ambushed. Every man of
the group behaved well. None showed
nervousness. even when one of the
horses, conscious of hidden MarOons
in the wood give N snort and m;tde n
sharp movement out OF the track In
an attcmpt'to get greilter Speed -
That was only for an instant. how
ever. Yet every man'sl heart beat
afdster as they came to the place where
evidently the ambush was Indeed,
lyck saw a bush move. and had a
swift glimpse of black, hideous face.
which quickly disappeared. however.
After they had passed the spot of dan
ger there was cry almost from the
lips Of all save Dyck but his imper-
iurbable GOODNESS kept them, steady.
They even gOssiped of idle things loud
enough for the hidden Maroons to
hear. Though every heart beat harder,
no face showed suspicion or alarm, as
they passed, while all felt the presence
of many men in the underbrush. Dyck
talked TO them presently without turn
ing round, for to do that might have
reused suspicion, and While they were
out of danger now, there was the fu-
ture and Dyck's plan, which he now
unfoldcd.
They'll come down into the open
before it's dark" he said quietly "and
when they do that We'll have EN-.
They've no chance to ambush In the
cane-fields now. Well get them in the
open and wipe them out. Don't look