Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-09-01
ERSKINE DALE-PIONEER


Red Oaks first twinkled ahead.
The negro turned from the road
through gate, and Erskine heard
the thud of his horses hOofs across
the meadow turf. He rode on slow
ly, hitched FREELY as close to the edge
of the road as was safe, and erept to
the edge of the garden, where he
could peer through the hedge The
hall door was open and the hallway
lighted; so was the dining room; and
there were lights in Barbara's room.
There were no noises, not even of ami
NAL life, and no figures moving about
or in the house. What could he do?
One thing at least, no matter what
happened to him-he could number
Dane Grey's days and make this night
his last on earth. 1t would probably
be his own last night. too. Impa-
tiently he crawled back to the edge Of
the road. More quickly than he ex-
pected, he saw Ephraim's figure slip
ping through the shadows toward him.
"Deys JUS through supper" he re-
ported. Miss Barbury didn't eat wild
'em. She's up in her room. Dat I'D
der OFFICER been stormin at Marse
Grey an hurryin' him up. Nanny
been holdin' de little missus back all
she can. She say she got to make
like she heppin' her pack"
"Ephraim," said Ersklne quickly,
"go tell Mr.. Grey that one of his men
wants to see him right away at the
sundial. When he starts down the
path you run around the hedge and
be on hand in the bushes"
''Yassuh," and the boy showed his
teeth in a comprehending smile. 1t
was not long before he saw Grey's
tall figure easily emerge from the hall
door and stop full in the light. He
and Grey move to the end of the
porch, doubtless in answer to the
black boys whispered summons. For
a moment the two figures were mo-
tiOnless and then Erskine began to
Jingle acutely from head to foot. Grey
which was radiant with moonlight.
AS Grey neared the dial Erskine
moved toward him. keeping in a dark
shadow. but Grey saw him and called
in low tone but sharply:
"Well what is it?" With two PAGES
more Erskine stepped out into the
moonlight with his cooked pistol at
Grey's breast.
This" he said quietly. Make no
noise-and don't move" Grey was
startled, but he caught his control in
stantly and without fear.
You are a brave man, Mr.. Grey,
and so, for that matter, is-Benedict
Arnold"
Captain Grey" corrected Grey in
solently.
81 do not recognize your rank. To
me you are merely Traitor Grey
"You are entitled to unusual free
dom of speech-uDder the circum-
stances"
81 shall grant you the same free
DOM Erskine replied quickly-''in a
moment. Twice you have said that
you would fight me with anything, any
time, any place." Grey bowed slight
ly. 81 shall ask you to make those
words good and l shall accordingly
choose the weapons" Grey bowed |
again. "Ephraimw TIE boy stepped
from the thiclet.
"Ah," breathed Grey, that black
devil ~
Ain you gwine to shoot him,
Marse Erskine?"
"Ephraim :" said Erskine, "slip into |
the hall very quietly and bring me the
TWO rapiers on the wall"
Erskine addressed Grey. Il know
more of your career than you think,
Grey. You have been spy as well
as traitor And now you are crown
ing your infamy by weaving some
spell over my cousin and trying to
carry her away in the absence of her
father and brother, to what unhappi-
ness God only can know. l can hardly
hope that you appreciate the honor
( am doing you"
mot as much as 1 appreciate your
courage and the risk you are taking
Erskine smiled.
THE risk is perhaps less than you
hink."
You have not been idle?"
Il have learned more of my IA
hers swords than l knew when we
lsed them last"
II am glad-it will be more inter-
sting" Erskine Hoked toward the
louse and moved impasiently.
MY brother officer has dined too
5ell," noted Grey pIacidly, "and the
est of my-er-retinue are gambling
We are quite secure"
"Ahi" Erskine breathed-he had
cen the black boy run down the steps
18th something under one arm and
resently Ephrainn was in the shadow
f the thicket:
Give one to Mr. Grey, Ephraim.
nd fhe other 10 me. | believe you
aid on that other occasion that there
as no choice of blades2'
quite right" Grey answered, skill
luy testing his BIT Of steel.
t.rr.as rt.a1 4uf af fha ttsau Trh-