Evening star., 1924-02-26
The Magnificent Adventure
Stirring Story of the Northwest.
BY EMERSON HOUGH.
BY Z. Appsts . -
BY EMERSON HOUGH,
Continued from Yesterdays Starr
A Stirring Story of the Northwest.
tossy-4shs, 1898. BY D. Applstea = o.

crotchet bough to lean upon. He
looked about him cautiously,
The camp was slumbering. Here
and there, stirred by the passing
Slowed like an eye in the dark. The
men slept, some under their rude
shelters. others In the open under
rifle under the flap to keep it from
the dew
Meriwether Lewis knew the place
OF every man in the encampment.
Ordway, Pryor, Gass-each of the
three sergeants slept by his own mess
hre' his squad around him. McNeal.
Bratton, Shields, Cruzatte, Reuben
Fields; iss s,nn Goodrich: whi,ehouse, Coal
where each lay rolled up like a mum
my. He had marked each when he
threw down his bed roll that night,
Tor Merlwether Lewis was a leader
OF men, and no detail escaped him.
ne passed now, stealthy as an In
alan' along the rows of sleeping
lorms. His moccasined feet made no
sound Save for his uniform coat,
ne was clad as savage himself; and
might have marked him one He
sought some one of these-and he
to find.
He stood beside him silently at
last. looking down at the sleeping
ngure The man lay little apart
from the othsrs. for he was to stand
see second watch that night. and the sec
would not disturb the Others when
awakened for his turn Of duty
Lhis mamie was long and straight
m his blankets and filled them we'll
suddenly awoke and lay staring up:
re mad not been called, no hand had
touched him, 1t was not yet time for
guard relief; but he had felt a pres
ence even as he slept.
He stared up at a tall and notion
less figure looking down. With q
rlfe. but the next instant. even as
he lay. his hand went to his fore
head in salute. He was looking up
into the face of his commander!
Shannoni' he heard a horse voice
command him. Get up!"
George Shannon. the youngest of
the party, sprang out of his bed half
clad.
Captain" He saluted again. What
is it. sir?" he half whispered, as if
in apprehension
Put Put on your jacket. Shannon.
come with me"
stripped. he stood fine figure of
young manhood himself. 1.-the, supple,
yet developed into rugged strength
by his years of labor on the trail.
once more.
They were apart from the others
now, in the shadows beyond Lewis
hre. shannon had caught sight of
ms leaders countenance, noting the
wildness of its look, it's drawn and
haggard lines
His commanders hand thrust in
his face clutch of papers, folded
letters. they seemed to be. Shannon
could see the trembling Of the hand
that held them
You know what I want, Shannon.
! want the rest of these-I want the
last one of them. Give 1t to me now!'
The youth felt on his shoulder the
grip of hand hard as steel. He did
not make any answer, but stood
dumb. wondering what might be the
neXt act OF this man, who seemed
Five of them" he heard the same
hoarse voice go on. There must
be another-there must be one more,
s a. least You have done this-you
last one Of them! Why don't you
answer" With a sudden and violent
strength Lewis shook the boy as a
dog might rat. Answer mev
Captain. I cannot!" broke out
What? Then there is another?"
I'll not answer. I'll stand my
trial before court-martial, If you
Again the heavy hand on his
There will he no trialr he heard
the hoarse voice of his commander
saying; cannot sleep. I must
have the last one. There Is another,"
shannon laid a hand on the iron
wrist.
How, do you know?" he faltered.
Why do you think-'
Am not your leader? Is It not
my business to know? am a woods
man. You thought you had covered
your trail. but 1t was plain. I know
you are the messenger who has been
her. I need not name her. and you
shall not! For what reason you did
this-by what plan--I do not know,
sSton, but I know NOV you did it.. You were
these letters: That was to cunning to
be cunning" You are young, Shannon:
you have something to learn. You
1etisrs@1ess isng sones.l9De 9s,. songsLyou write
are Irish-you have sentiment There
Is romance about you-you are the
man she would choose to do what you
have done. Being a woman, she knew:
she chose well. But It is nv business
to read all these signs.
officer"
Captain. I will not!"
II tell you I cannot s!eep! Give II
TO me. boy. or, by heaven, you YOUR
and now! What? You stin refuse ?"
Yes. III not be driven to 1t. You
a woman's secret--it's a question Of
honor. captain. There is woman
concerned. as you know!"
".And promised her, too. swear
never planned any wrong to either
of you. / would die at your order
now, as you know: but you have no
right to order this. and TIL not
The hand closed at his throat. The
boy could not speak, but still Meri-
wether Lewis growled on at him.
''Shannon! Speak: why have you
kept secrets from your commanding
officer? You have begun to tell me
tell me all!''
The boys hand clutched at his lead
him..
Captain" began the victim, what
do you mean? What can I do?''
"I will tell you what mean. Shan
non. l promised to care for you and
bring you back safe to your parents.
You'll never see your parents again,
save on one condition. I trusted you,
thought you had special loyalty for
me. Was / wrong?"
"On my honor, captain" the boy
any time. and I'd do it now! i've
worked my very best. You're my Of
flcer, my chief!"
with one movement, Meriwether
Lewis flung off the uniform coat that
he wore. They stood now. man to
SHANNON" said Lewis, I'm not
your officer now. I'm going to choke
the truth out Of you. VIII you fight
me, or are you afraid?
The last cruelty was too much. The
boy began to gulp.
I'm not afraid TO fight, sir. I'd fight
any man, but you--no, I'll not do it!