i
THE OREGON 'SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND, SUNDAY, MORNING. JULY 23 1911).,
King or Gongres?
RONANCEr
t& JohnTITTntybe;
- COPYRIGHT 19 U y N08TH AtlLRICAN COAPAN.Y
DevoLuxion
SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS
INSTALLMENTS
K A OOoivwiaED .hllop. which la JJMOired ''?''.'
iVV who t. etr.melywlthy IB hi. nle. PW CajW
waU-Favcrea arari wew a
ith fcvlde t admlretloa. '-. . ' . h. th. .,,, ,ue-
ity.br New. York thaBrttlah being .lefured in their ror
hlle anxtou.'y awaiting reinforcement.- i'mnaneri
iJwh.voieed tirade agaln.t It coloelgl cau.e, Mr. Camp "
a lu. y, hun-throat.a Muor. wqq "tf-ii-W. . -whteb
fc7?.M.n&n5S?T: .Sou. auaci th. .rat. J ory
when George Prenrlsa, th. rouni man on the boat. Interieree.
It flr.t OeWe jrf.yTw.th the "UoOt. ""V?,.0' P'
preaching troop, ia haard quickly luehf Mm
t Th. traop. nrors ta b. In aommand or Camp a nephew rier
tin. a lieutenant IB tha eolonlal army, and e eondiieto the
merchant an! hi. niece aaf.ly away, after they hava ault
ably t harked Qeftrge for hi timely proteotloa. . ,
Ward midday young Prentis. .tarts ror Oener.1 Put -rsm'e'
headquartera to deliver d'epatche. m W"hlng '"J1!
When he iV.ehee tha pared at tha foot ef
Inquire, tha way ta tha h-adquart.re, and haa Jf
of wit with a foppleh dragoon orTlrer named M",";.w
la chatting by a carriage m which there are a. "mrb,wh?'
womeo. amaoa whom la Peggy Camp. Whan Oorga haa
rather tartly disposed or tha Inaolent officer, to M laa Camp a
arldent .atiiracUonT he I directed to Qen.rai Putnam'. quar
tera by an al1. or txwd Sterling. .
Jtrrtvlng at headquarters, Oaorga masta Major Hyde, a
roeala of atlas Camp, who attempt . to take dPth.
bnt la balked by o.orge. who thereupon ha. a conv.rMtloa
with the imaral hlmaeir. and la Informed that ha may ba
peeded before lona ror important bualneaa. -..--.
After leaving General Putnam, Oeorge geaa to tha
Jtrrna. the chirr hoat.lry of New To rk at Am Mjj ror 0n
tier.; To hia tabla th.ra oomaa a. hlg. W""'VJ
evidently aeeklng a quarrel. Near them, at anothar table, ara
Mr. camp. Mr. TTaaa and Uautaaant Herbert Camp, and
trinaplrTlh.! Mr.. Camp U tryini t to , ukj ' "f" wm.
from the colonial fcauee. A threat ef dl,nhr"n
Ineffeotual in tjila, "4 atraaga hully, who Jtaa bj eo.
ertlv Uetenltw 'to Ihe'ponvareatlon, alrai M tijrthar trouble
pick quarral with younr Camp. a. h eeemeS
Slrtnhamed. Myhow. bMauaa of ! atubborpnetp. tha Ipf er-
ence was thai Hyfla would get ceunpa money
mnd Hen
ceialty to '
violently witn ina liemen.nu
Nrat, Georg k l tummoned by flaneral fatnam, wb aartg na
him ta ferret rtut ha aplea IB heefllonll eerytej V many
men have taken eerylea under WoahtnVtoa meraly to eep tha
Brltieb Informed af what la joint P rlt th
Wheat fhea. Jpa. whar Mr, JDana, wanted 0 moat him.
(CQNTlUBO FROM &A8T tUKDAT)
CHAPTEHVI
Explains ow Qcorgi Prtntja Blcirria Ouctf
the Wheat Bheif arid What SlfeU Kim tbari
.j RUB l ma wora, oanarai
Putnam ant Qiarct
PrtnUii a bevnflfut of
fel4 co)n naat mernirif,
and 0arc toward noon
nrafed a horao of tha
landlord, which ha prom
lad to aond back, by a
wagoner on tha day fol
lowing. Mounting, ha
gat out up Broadway,
turnad Into tha Bloom
Ihfdala road and than
along tha Hudaon until
ha cam to tha abarp
turn to tha right, which
'brought him into tha
jvingaonag. roaa not tar
from Burdetta Farry. Dl
raotly . ahaad, -Harlarn
Helrhta hlillrail ul..
ft " to tha'aait could he aon '
xam t wvwn , aioea or
MOunt Morrla. whila
from tha high ahouldar
of tha road an occa
aional glint wat to ba
had of tha Harlem river
av. aa It a 1 1 p p a d along
toward the Sound. The young man drew top bla
horse at thia point and looked about him.
? "The reporte placed the Wheat Sheaf at no great
r-dlstance. from here," aald he to himgelf. "And aa it'a
aearlng toward evening, I may aa well take my dinner
; there,"
Aa he aat hla horae he heard tha ring ef a hammer
ltriklng hearty hlowa upon an anvil; then a aladga Joined
Bin and a clangor dt eound awapt upward. Oaorga ahook
Jhe rein, and about fifty yarde further on. in a aheltered
apot a little back from the road, he came upon a email
jamlthy, with Its bellows roaring and its fire glowing
.redly; the smith and his apprentice were toiling like
giants upon a heavy forging; the perspiration rolled from
UAem; their faces and bared arma were coated with smut.
George dismounted and stood watching them for a
"pace; then the Iron was apparently beaten Into Its true
vihape, for It waa laid aside and the two atood mopping .
tbeir faces with damp towels.
i iV,' "Goo1- day." greeted George.
"The top of it to yourself, aure." returned the amlth.
.who was a freckled Irishman with fiery red hair and a
roll look.
,i "That seemed like a hard taak," commented tha young
?aan, coming nearer.
p- "Why. then," returned the amlth, "It's a uttle elae
I'If'rKBealrKn.ow"da'B- Slnc they've took to flghtlna
11 about the nlace. anrra th. Kit i. j. """"."
;.- bavoneta. awn'ri. 1 ,o . ""V w out
"Tba doo was flung open and a party of armed men in th colonial buff and blua thronged into the room.'
inner m imr a m lu. hi
lhe apprentice, a huge-limbed youth, with a. amaii
SJlt1 with If d,hJS" b"erv"1 ,yunV prenTlse' ehSr
ude1I5crn0ahayte5.,lnBer and th "t01 bu "ut"
In General Putnam's armyT" aaked he.
Are you
all agape.
Io. ' replied
"Small blame
Irish smith, "for
ogers or trie olher sort.
The other eort!" echoed Oeorge. catchlna
tneuntly. "What do you mean?" cawmng
. The amlth twisted hla humorous face Into m.
great roguery and winked.
l suppose, now," said he
after beme? '
George, truthfully. "I am not."
iu mm ior agKjng you that," aald the
its few that sro bv now hut t,i,..-
at thia
look of
it'a a stranger you'd bo
I ''- .A'i l.h8 nJ8t time. ? f ver vialted these parts "
5 i.u"" vu lur l" K,n8 or ror congress?" asked tha
amlth.
"For
conirress." ntnranH nAn.
lhe othP came forward ond nyirf.j . 'L.
aawcu A UT
brawny
.mil ..I0"'" .trlpar
llttle about th. toaiW tart..;' "0' .!!!
about; but I'm hand and foot with th.
fist.
'Good
aid the
they do be
against the aasanach,
them
"M would seem that
them at some time
George -laughed at this frank declaration' of our
terest ? y Came back to the matter ofP"L
ven'oat-r thheem':thrdrors,8tJh,.7,tdho 'll
aa thick as the a-nats do be in th .w.-.?" 00 "
"But -the army being in possession preventa
j being at aU dangerous," said Oeorge
The Other shook his head.
"The army can do nothing against such aa these "
aid he. "Vou might aa well put that horse of yojra.
there, rto catching a mole. Sorra the eoUnds do they
mak . and never m. alirht nf h. j " . .
any oqe." ' B,T"
uui," weoTge smiiea a little,
r you have both beard and seen
. or other.
The Irishman laughed loudly at this shrewd re
. mark,
"Why, then." aald he, "you're the cute fellv en
tirely. Bul you're right," and !ere ha lowwaS h"a
voice. "You're right . I aee more than some; and be
. the aame token, I hear more' than most."
He nodded mysteriously, paraed Up his mouth and
winked with both eyes at once. As there annearad to
. u auinciiiina iu m g,uii4 vy
ny tne
, broken
aauntlata.
"It eeema to me," said hr, "that the king's men
must be brave fellows, Indeed, If they persist In their
Sorts in the very teeth of their enemies."
"Bure, then,", exclaimed tha. amlth, "you must call '
the rats-about here brave fellowa, too. Borra the
differ le-there between their way of working and
"that of the Torlea." -
, If the man had any definite information which he
waa willing to divulge, so reasoned George, he would
feave gone before now to one of the forta on tha heights
' ' ? f- ', .t - ; ' :
i witn pom eyaa t oncB. as there appeared to
lethlng to be gained by it George tied hi mount
door and entered the smithy. Leaning against a
gun carriage, ha began slowly drawing off his
and made a alatement of It If. on tba other hand, b
knew anything ef moment, and waa unwilling,
through fear of th eonaeanenee, to tell It, all'
tha questioning la tba world would not do any good.
So the youth adopted another plan.
"I have heard a, great deal, In one Way and an
other, of the hidden machinations of tha loyalists,"
aald he with an air of doubt, "but to ba entirely can
did, I have aeen scarcely anything in tha way of
proof," ..
"Proof!- aaid the mlth, with energy j "it'a proof
ye want, ta it, me ladT Oh, wall! them that hava It
could aupply plenty of It, aura, to tha lesa."
4 s,;Wbjr;4an:4 they coma forward with ft, thenr de
manded young Prentlsa, bluntly. "Why hlda Itr
Terhepe,' aald tha other, "they have amall bltg
of chllder and are not wan tin' the houaea burnt over
their heada"
"It'a fear, then, that atopa their mouths," atated
Oeorge. "They are afraid of the klng'a men!"'
He had calculated well; the Celtic Ire of the amlth
began to rise; hla big fists doubled up; hie freckled
face began to flame.
"Afraid, is it!" cried he. "Afraid! If you knew
them you wouldn't aay that. -When you live in a
lonely place, me lad, and have desperate enemies with
revenge in their-hearta again you, you muat take oare.
And when wife and chllder are depending upon th
man for the bite and the aup, he thinka twice before
be puts hlmaelf in danger."
"But how ta one to know that there ia real danger T"
said George. "It may be that it haa no existence aave
in the mlnda of the peraona who dread it."
Thia exasperated the blacksmith, Ha had been
holding hlmaelf In check with treat effort, but BOW
he buret out.
"Bad luck to me, is It imagining It all that you
think I've been doing? Ia It imagination, me aon
when a man sees them with hia two ayaa " Hera ha
caught eight of the apprentice, itendlng with head
thrust forward and hla mouth agape. "And hava
you nothing at all to do, Peterf ha demanded,
sharply. "Faith, then. It'll never anewer In tha world
to have you idle; away with you to Van Tlle'a and
fetch the horses that ha wants shod. Stir youraelf.
now, or It'll be dark again you get back.''
vastly disappointed, the apprentice took Off hla
leather apron and departed on nig errand. Then tha
smith gave his attention to George once more. . ,
"HeTa a good, hard-working lad," aald he, "but he'a
not overbrlght in soma things ana letg hla tongue
run too free when he uhouldn t."
He poked his fire and threw on mora fuel; then,
seating himself upon the anvil, he went on:
"People do imagine a' good many things." nodding
wisely. "I've listened to them myeelf many a time.
But is It imagination when a man cornea In the night,
calls you to the door, and you wide awake, pokes a
lantern in your face with one hand and a pistol with
the other and hlda you hold your peaceT"
"Did that happen to your
"To no one else. And why Becauea I knew more
than It was thought fitting f should know. Because I
had aeen things. Because! had heard things. Because,
If I told the hlf of it. I'd be putting ropes about the
pecks of a dozen or more."
George laughed.
"Mori than likely it was some sort of a rough Joke
that your visitor wag n'oylng at your expense,"
said' he.
Again the Ire of th smith began to mount.
VokeT? cried he. "Joke, Is it? You know nothing
of me, ma lad. or you'd be aure no man would play,
the Merry Andrew ill that stylo with ma And maybe
you thlnir," her he pointed one challenging linger at
George, "that it waa a joke that I aee carried on that
aame night, only a bit earlier, at the Wheat Sheaf."
"What waa that?" asked George, allowing quite a
tone of skepticism to creep into hi. voice.
The Celt recognized the doubtful tone, and th
warmth of his manner increaaed.
"I made a bit of a mistake that night," spoke he,
trying to keep down bis desire to fly into a rage. "I
opened the door to one of the private rooms and
walked into a neat of king's men, up to their eyes in
plotting. And that was not all; in the midst of them
was eoma one that's supposed to wear an entirely
different kind of a coat."
"You mean," said George eagerly, "that you saw
engaged with the Torlea on who la known as a
patriot?"
The interest in his voice waa too plain to escape
the smith; Instantly the man's heat vanished; all his
excited desire to show that he had real cause to fear
the anger of the conspirators disappeared.
"What I mean," said he, in a greatly altered voice-rand
as he spoke his eyes were full of susplclon-"ls
no matter. I saw what I saw, and If anybody wants
to know the meaning of it or the particulars of it,
let him search them out for himself."
"But," demanded young Prentiss, "do you really
mean to keep important facts from the authorities?"
"I mean to try to keep a roof over my head and
life In my body," said the smith, thrusting a bar of
iron Into the fire and beginning to blow the coals Into
a higher red. "It's all very well for those in the
town to speak out boldly, but this is a lonely place,
and, as I said btfore, a man with a wife and chllder
can't run himself into danger."
Although George was convinced that It was use
less to make any further effort upon th smith, still
he took the odd cbanoe and remained In conversation
with him for some time. BOt-the return of the ap
prentice, leading a plowhoreo, by the bridle, put an
end to this. Bo he mounted and, gathering up his
reins, said: . ,
"The Wheat Sheaf la not very far away, I believe?"
"A matter of a half mile." answered th mechanic.
"I'll dine there, -like as not," .aid "George. And
then he added, with a laugh: "Perhaps it will be
as well for me to keep my eyes open also; I may gee
something upon my own account." t .,
Then he waved his hand In a goodby and, set Off
along th road one mora Tba patriot battarlaa
mounted upon the Heights war In view through, tha
'dusk when he sighted tha Wheat Sheaf, whJea waa
large rambling structure, with veranda upon two
sides of it and a great number of small-paned win
dowa, through which th light were already heln
ning to glint
No one was visible, and Oeorsja called leuflly aa be
pulled up at the door,
."Ho, the house! Landlord!" .
From somewhere In the rear aharp-faeed woman
made her appearanoe. She waa very tall and angular,
her movement were awkward and when aha spoke
her voice waa high. , , , v ,.
"Holghty tolty!" ah erled; "and muat w roaka arT
this noise at a decent Inn? what ia your wish, young
man?"
"I'll have eom one take my horse, mistress," replied
George, "and J desire him rubbed and given a good feed
of clean grain." . "
The woman turned toward the barn and called shrlllyi
"Job!"
She had repeated th cry several tiroes before there
was any response; then man came out of the barn,
rubbing his eyes and shuffling hla feat
"You've been asleep again," charged the woman.
"You are the moat Idle, good-for-nothing rascal in Har
lem, I really believe."
The man blinked Ill-humoredly.
"Fair words, Mistress Trout," spoke bC "Thay go
further than th other eort"
"Don't answer me back, you wretch," cried Mistress .
Trout "Don't do it And you'd batter mend your ways,
sir, or I'll turn you off; end you'll have a Urn ef It get
ting another situation, I promise vou."
George dismounted and gave hla hors to tha hoetler.
"I hope," aaid be politely to tha woman, "that I an
not putting you about, but I'd Ilka a snack of something,
If I'm not too late."
"Oh, Indeed," aald Mlatresi Trout "traffic hereabout
la not so great that we hava all tn victuals bespoke."
Then, turning to the hoetler, who waa yawning behind
hla hand, aha cried sharply: "Wall, and ara you going
to ees to the gentleman's horse, blockhead? Or do you
mean to fall asleep as you stead?"
"A man must have si sen iofn time." arowled Job.
as he took the nag by the bridle, "if I'm kept up at
night, mistress, by people that go and com at all houra,
h i nine iu oa wonuarea at if i
two ny aayiigni."
try to eatch a wink or
The landlady of th Wheat Sheaf cava him a look
full of anger.
"That will do," said shs. "Ton hava aald quite
enough. Now be off and attend to your work."
Grumbling, the man led the horae toward tha barn,
and George followed Mistress Trout Into the Inn. The
public room Into which he was shown was hug and
square and furnished with heavy tables, settles and
high-backed chairs. There was a brick fireplace at one
aide- the evening was brisk one, with a breesa that
rattled the many window frames, and In consequence
there were a heap of billets crackling on the flredogs.
"You have It snug enough hr," observed Oeorge
with satisfaction aa he hung his hat upon a peg and
began to remove his gloves. "Facing the spring wind
makes a small fire seem a most comfortable thing,
indeed."
"And a pretty- penny It run Into for cut wood,"
objected the landlady. "But what Is a tavernkeeper to
do when people come In and hector and bully?"
There came an Impatient creaking of a settle near
the fire; a head lifted up from a leather cuehlon, and a.
voice demanded: '
"Am I not paying for all I get, madam? Ia th fire
wood not included? No, don't say anything," and th
speaker gestured impatiently; "put It in the bill and
don't worry me with your conversation."
Mistrese Trout tossed her head at this, and, after
receiving George's order, left the apartment with a wrath
ful countenance.
The voice of the speaker upon the settle somehow
seemed familiar to young Prentiss; he had not seen th
face, as it had been turned away from' him while its
owner spoke to the landlady: and all he could make out
now were a pair of booted lege and a blue riding ooat,
for the person had stretched out once mor. immediately
upon finishing his remarks.
Curious, George approached the fir; holding his
hands out to the blare, he looked Into the upturned face,
and to bis surprise recognised the heavy brows and sullen
expression of Lieutenant Camp. And ae he was still sur
prlsedly gating into tha young man's face, the yea
Opened; neelng himself closely observed, 'th latter aat
up tnatuntly.
"Hello!'1 said he, rather roughly. "What brings you
here?"
"The fire latterly." smiled George, still holding his
hands extended over the blase, "But th prospects of a
hot eupper mainly,"
The heavy brows of the young1 man upon' the settle
gathered in a frown; hia eyes searched George' a face
with a peculiar look.
"It seems to me that I've seen you before," said he,
George nodded, but Just as he was about to point
out whero they had met on the day before he caught
ttra edd look in the other's eyoa, and with a quick
Impulse cheoked himself. So he merely said:
"It is very likely."
' There was a moment's silence: the young man upon
the settle clasped one knae with Bis hands and studied
Oeorge intently. - . . , ,
"You are a stranger hereabouts, I ak Itr sad he.
Oeorge" nodded. 11 ; ;.
, "Yes"' was bis brief reply, . ,
Again there was a silence. ' Toung Prentiss, with
out seeming, to d so, examined the other a. Intently
as he was himself being examined. And gradually
the Impression grew more and more upon him that
Merchant Camp's nephew was keying himself to say
something- which he considered of much Importance.
Several times the lieutenant bent forward and seemed
' upon the point of speaking: but-each time he sank
back, hia lips still Closod and an expression of lndecl-
alon upon hla face. At length, however, ha aaemed
resolved to make the plunge. With voice so lowered
aa ta be almost a whisper, he aald:
"It Is rumored that Washington will soon bo here."
Oeorge stared at him; so tame and ludlcroua did
tha aaying seem after all the cautious hesitation that
had preceded it that he almost laughed. But tha
aiprtislon upon Herbert Camp's face prevented this;
It waa one of eager expectation of almoet painful
Interest . A suspicion flashed upon Oeorge.
"It's a great deal like a test-a signal by which
ene person makea himself aure of another," he told
himself.
n, . Instantly he was all attention. Bending hla head
courteously, he replied:
"I hav heard the rumor myself and think that It
la true."
Thia anawer did not repel the other; but at th
same time it fld not satisfy him. either. He arose,
and leaning against the brick mantel, began alapplng
at his bootleg with a riding whip.
"Which way are you traveling?" he aaked.
"North," returned George,
The face of the other grew brighter. He endeavored
to assum a light manner, and laughed a llttl as
he aald;
"Perhaps you think that there will be mor t In
terest you In that direction than In another."
"One usually travels In the direction In which
one's Interest Ilea" replied young Prentlsa In tha same
tona "And I am like most In that."
Herbert Camp nodded and pondered. For a few
momenta he'stood alternately glancing at George and
toward' th window; th lash of th whip continued to
cut at his bootleg and to lay long welts upon the aanded
floor.
"You came alone?" aaked he, finally,
"Yea," answered George.
"Isn't It somewhat dangerous to tak the north
road unaccompanied?
Young Prentiss smiled.
'You did not seem to think so," said he.
"With-me It Is different," spoke the lieutenant, with
a meaning in his voice that George did not grasp.
"But for strangers the way Is unprotected."
"I am grown rather accustomed to such," said
George. "One does. In time, you know." '
"Ah. yes, I suppose so. But," and th other eeemed
pussled, "did you meet no one upon th road?"
"No on."
"That is Strang. Though, aa I said. It's a lonely
way; still, one Is apt to meet a peddler now and then.
George noted a peculiar stress upon the last part
of the sentence, and his mind began to oast about for
Its meaning. Almost Instantly he caught it, and self
control alone prevented his exclaiming aloud. The
papers given him to examine by General Putnam had
named one Thomas Friend, a peddler, as a suspected
person. Was Lieutenant Camp, iq hia guarded tatter
anoe. referring to this man? Like lightning George's
. mind was made up, and with a calm voice and a care
less manner he said: ' . .
"I rame upon no peddlers today, hut," and he fixed
hla eyes steadily upon tha other's face, ''peddlers ara
merchants of small degree, perhaps, and I had a visit
yesterday from a merchant aboard ship."
iiecoiiection instantly awept into- tne lieutenant a
face; dropping hie whip, he brought bla pal me to
rather with a .mack. m
Now I remember where I saw you. It waa on the
had not, been without effect, for th bias was bow
. brisk and high) th sparks shot up the wid ehimnejrl
In showera '
"At halt after . X think." said Lieutenant Camp.
"At exactly," returned George. ' ,
Tho lieutenant here fell back, into a long silence,
' He shielded K face from th heat with' his hat and
t aat looking at tha darting sparks aa they leaped up
ward, Oeog, a?-he proceeded with bla dinners
watched him; the fac was deeply shadowed by tha
' Upheld hat, but tho young1 oldler'a attltud was full
' pf meaning, thg changing llghta In hla eyes spoke of a
' mind not at raat. .
As ho watched him George recalled old Merchant.
Camp' worda 'of the day before. " i
"But, look; you, young man," he bad said, "you ara
not th only one that feela the Impuiae of change. II
has occurred to m many timea of lata that my will
needs a bit of altering, too." , 5
Dlatinetly young Prentiss recalled th blank loolg
that crossed Herbert Camp'a face at thia aaying. True
he had etemmered eomethlng about a tnero matter of
money having no effect upon a perepn of honor.
"But," waa th thought that crossed George
mind, "the-protest was rather weak. "Change youf
ooat, or I change my will, waa old Camp'a next aaying,
and tho young man'a anawer to thia waa noro waver)
ing. etlll." . V'' ' '.:'-. , ,
Tba told Tory had also said that thero atin r
malned a few-day more to affeot th ohang ha
. desired' ; ..Ny-".;; : ' ' 'V-
"And H would '.aeam," thought young Net
Bnglander Indignantly, "that he'll get hie wlah. Thlg
-young man apoke of principle yesterday; It aema that
he'a thought btter f It today. 8lxty thousand
pounds haa been too great a lure to realat. hla greed,
was greater than hla patrlotiern,M . , '
However, deepit. hia Indignation, ba want calmly,
on with hia meal; and while be ate, Herbert Cam
continued In th same attltud. apparently thinking
deeply. Both wer ngagd In thia way when ther
cam a bustle from th road before th Inn I glancing
through th window, which was orrtln with bis tabla.
he it In th light of several lantarna a queer-looking!;
man mounted upon a ' talL bony horse and earrytngX
Deiore aim a nug pack. Both Mistress Trout and th
hostler, Job, had gon out to receive th newcomer,
who slid awkwardly from bla pad eaddle. dragging big
pack along with htm.
From hla gestures, Oeorge saw that tha ma wag
making quite a epeech regarding tha oaretaklng of hit
bony nag; Job listened with great patlenca and led
the animal carefully to th barn when lta owner had
dona Then the man, staggering under tha pack,
followed th landlady to th Inn.
Into th publlo room he shambled; depositing hla
burden in a corner, he stood erect, hla breath coming
deep and full.
"Tim was," aald he, "when I eould hare horn
that load and not mad half th ado."
He waa a square-built, stocky man, with thick,
bowed lege and a partally bald head. He bad promle
nent outstanding oara and tremendoua hands, corded
and knotted like those of a giant
"You'll do very well as It Is, sir," apoke th land,
lady, 'There's scare a man in HarVm that could
carry ao much."
Th man mopped hia bald head with a yellow!
handkerchief and laughed.
"Ah, good lady," aald he. "you'll be seeking to ret
tha better of me in a trad before I'm gone. Sweet
worda mean only on, thing to a man of my business-
---they eeek to take th plae of half-penoa"
"Indd, then," cried Mistress Trout, 'Til hav no
trading with you. I hav no Una to haggle and na
use for your goods."
Add with that aha wblaked angularly from tho
. room, leaving the nowoomer In a broad grin.
"Now," declared he with great gusto, 'la not that
like a woman in very way? 1 hav no ua for your
goods,' aays ah, and never a eight haa aha of what 1
have to offer." I
Thia speech ha dtraotad at Oeorge. who nodded good
naturedly; the man then put hia great thumbs In tha
, arniholea of hla walatooat and prooeeded;
"But women folk are ever hard to trad with, alrf
thirty years hava I ridden theaa roada with a pacta
before m. and that is on of th thing whloh I hava
learned. They hav no Judgment; caprice rule themi
they'll bargain for hour over a atapl article of
known value, and than squander their ahllllng with-,
out a word on trash."
"You are harsh, t think, air," aald Oeorga.
"Sir." returned tho peddler, "that I am not. X know
them. Thirty year on tho road haa taught m eom
thing." Hera he approached tha fir. "By your leave,
sir," said he to th lieutenant, and sat down apoa an
end of the settle. The lieutenant nodded curtly aadt
gave him llttl direct attention. But out of tho tall
of hla eye he observed the peddler narrowly, aa Oeorgaj
did not fall to observe.
The stranger crossed his thlok, bowed Iwgs and
held his handa out to the fire with much satisfaction,
"There is still a tang In the air," aald he, "Win tea
la not quite gone, even yet."
"No,'' returned Oeorge, "and further north It I
colder etill."
The saying was entirely unpremeditated, but In-,
tantly he realised that it bore an apparent slgnlfl)
cane, for the peddler shot him a glance of surprise
and then coughed in a warning way behind his hand.
Then, as though to cover an awkward happening, tha
man thrust a thumb and forefinger Into hla waistcoat
pocket ana. produced a massive watcn. Holding it up
that Georsre nilsrht have a rood view of It. ho Bald:
"There Is a rare sight for pou I dare venture to
ay you don't often see its like, ine king puts no
finer gold In hla guineas, and the cogs and springs and
balances are miracles or art."
"It is very gorgeous, Indeed," praised Oaorga,
"I only offer such rarities to some oertain gentle;
men of quality," aald the peddler; "but," and he mad
a wide gesture, "things are not what they were, and
I am scantily furnished with money Just now, Ho
bent toward George. "If you fancy euch, a thing, yoti
' ahall have It at a amall price."
But Oeorsra shook his head.
"Have you examined It well?" Th peddler arot uts
and atood with hia broad back to the lieutenant, hia
wharf near the Brlgantlne Inn. I am glad, Indeed, to
meet you!" He seieed George's hand and shook It
energetically; then he added eagerly: "It waa Dana
wno tola you to come nerer-
George nodded; he waa afraid to do more, not yet
being euro of his ground. Young Camp aat down upon
tha settle and reared with laughing.
1 i'No wonder." he gasped, n'you didn't grmap my
meanings readily. I thought it waa Tom Friend, the
peddler, who waa to bring you here,' By Jove! how
you .tared' and winked!"
Again he went off into a gale of mirth; Oeorge
smiled quietly and, bending, knocked upon the logs
with a poker that they might blase the freer.
"The owl," tald he, "does a lot of staring and blink
ing, and it's reckoned a wise bird for no other reason."
''Right!" said Lieutenant Camp. "Right! What
you did you did well. I have no fault to find with
you; the only hitch has been in my misinformation."
Here he bent toward Oeorge, his elbows upon btg
knees, his clinched fists under hie ehln and an intent
curious look upon his face. "I wonder," said he, "Just
how that came about?"
"Pometlmee," replied Oeorge slowly, "It chanoes
that old men are erratic," , T ,
Young Camp slapped his knee.
"There!" he cried. "I never gave a thought to
that; and now you mention. t, I hav no doubt hut
that is what's to blame In this case."
Here a waiter, under - the personal direction of
Mistress Trout, entered, bearing George's supper,
smoking hot' and very aavory and tempting, It was
placed upon a table near the fire, which had been laid
with a olean cloth, much white napery and shining
tableware. ' With great satisfaction George sat down
to It.' 1 ' '
"I hop said h to th lieutenant, "that you'll
'Join me. Dining alone Is sometimes a tiresome
business." , ..,
But tho other gestured In the negative.
"1 had only finished when you rod up," he said.
. "Pray, go on and pay no attention to me In that
respect ' 'i.- .t
George did as he waa bidden, 'and he had alreadjr
made considerable inroads' Into the hot dishes from
,( Mistress Trout's kitchen whea Herbert Camp spoke
aaraln, x 1 ' r
- I would have thought." said the latter, "that yon
would hav come here as soon as ypu got ashore."
"As it is," . returned George. 'I arh hours before
mytim.''. N
"Then a time was named?"
' "Tonight," said Oeorge. . ,. , , . ,
The other leaned back upon the nettle and shielded
bla face from the fire; George'a efforts upon th logs
head lowered toward Oeorge and his face away front
the firelight. "It Is a surprising Watch In more waya
than one. Look; could anything be finer?" So aay
lng, he snapped open the heavy case and bent still
nearer to the young New En gland er. Then hla voto
. aank lower, and ha whispered:
"What ship?" -"The
Nancy Breen," in the same tona
'Docs the other," and a twitch of a mouth cornea
lndl'-oted the lieutenant bear you company r
"No." .... ...
"Oh, vary well," saja ma peaaier. nig voio lifting
plainly and hi manner that of a man rebuffed, "If vol
have no ne.a. or it, wny, men, an b eaie ana aone."
So saying, he stuffed he watch Into hla pocket.
rbuttond th flap, sat down upon his end of th
settle one more and began staring fixedly Into the fire,
"I suppose," spoke Lieutenant Camp, after a few
moments of silence, "that you pick up many quaint
and curious things In your Journaylnga , here and
there?" 1
The peddler -gav htm no very tolerant look and
replied hortly: . ... . ;.
"Aye, that I do, r.- a witn a Pending of hla
brows and a shake of his bald head, he continued!
:' "But I always make ahlft to mind my own business
young sir,
Th iiAutanant sat un stiff upon the settle.
"Do you mean to Infer that I do not, my manf
." aitinanrlAr1 ha- i, v
The peddler iturned aquarely uppn him and looked
nim in tno race).
- -t wati not a
Tiw, h,rln a.- name to Call me bv." aald tha, flan.
1 waa not aware tnat l cauea you by name, air,
"Mt havtno- a.' name to Call me bv." aald the. flau
tenant, "it would b a difficult thing to do. But per
haps, if I gave you one, you'd be more civil,"
jVitnnnad and BDOka a Word Or two in tha aai a
th peddler, and instantly the latter"- dogged loole
a,,'We,li J well!" " exclaimed h lh friendly fashion,
"who'd have dreamed 'It? Who'd 'have dreamed It?"
Ha struck the oaken settle a resounding blow .with
the heel of his handv "We're coming on, sir; we're
coming on migntuy:, r - . -' ;
T Ma beamed genially uton the vouna- men and
i seem.d quite Relighted, and Just as he seemed upon
the point of launching upon matters that George
thought might prove most interesting, there came a
'. Clatter ox noun irora in ruaii gnu in. juigie ox cnain
and military equipment. The face lost Its . cheerful
i ' look as a voloe gave an unintelligible, grumbled orders
' heavy feet tramped up the path and upon the porchj
then the door was flung open and a party of armed
men In the colonial buff and blue thronged Into th
rnAm. i - ' r.:.
- - , 'CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY) .
, . , , , .',...
i