Show c cT T r r 1 ft l Si I 1 1 n r Yr t f tr i i TV 5 1 Jv t yr 4 f FY F 0 it j L I BY Y RY I MTH ILLUSTRATIONS BY BV DON C. C WILSON t 1 rya BAt t tY b V 07 1 R 1 li j CHAPTER Continued Continued lt Y He had missed the picture from its place o over oyer er his hearth at Barataria I 45 hut but knowing there were others like it he lie had no thought that he lie was looking upon what had been his bis own Presently with a sign indicating relief relief re re- 1 lief Jef Jackson handed the last paper t to Claiborne and leaning forward r with his elbows upon the arms of his 1 ark 4 chair said his voice showing more of contempt than anger Most edifying t. t assortment of reading to be sure surer Capt Lafitte Are these all these all these a four pap papers rs two of them addressed to 1 you sou ou Capt Percy's instructions to his J 9 subordinates and the proclamation t to the people of this state x These are all general and they I. I contain all all the information within my l power to give you jou now Lafitte re ret re- re t f. f plied 1 Claiborne began to refold the papers papers pat pa pa- i E t pers pers while the general turned to Lafitte La- La fitters fitte r rs' rs It is a fine offer you have received 0 all all t. t you can possibly desire I wish wish-will wish will take nothing that England can ever have to offer me v i. i added with sudden fierceness i I hate th the nation and Its ways c J Nothing could Induce me to accept 4 irow or ever any terms from the he English Eng- Eng lish The first u unguarded guarded evidence of anythIng any- any l. l Ing thIng like cordial l ll liking no now manifested manifest manifest- ed ad Itself In Jacksons Jackson's face Yet Yet there was teas nothing of this in his voice voice voice-as as he het t said May I 1 ask then Capt Lafitte j I if possibly some mo motive lve of p personal r onal Jei Je- Je rek's re re-i ks k's i i v n ge brought you here to-night to with witha wl h i a a. a renewal of your your offer l Lafitte's face flushed through Its tg J. J then it paled and grew I I stern r I understood that you needed soldiers sol sol- diers most diers-most most of ot all artillerymen that w you rou ou also needed arms cannon arms cannon arms cannon and muskets I came to offer all I have 1 t left of men and resources for your use and that of Louisiana I 1 ask no pay for myself only myself only for my men if it t yo you will if not then I will try to take care of that and they are yours without without with wIth- r out Ot pay The one thing I 1 demand Is I I what I 1 have stated already already already-a a full part par par- F r t don for my men an and ana myself myself myself-a a pardon 1 J for all offenses or alleged offenses i against the law laws s of this state state or of the i United States i Assuming said ClaIborne that r everything is las as you say and that r your proposition is accepted what security se- se have I as governor of this j. j It state and responsible not only to its people but to the President that you jou OU I will fulfill fulfil your agreement J Jacl Jackson son with an impatient glance at t. Claiborne started to speak but he her r checked himself as Lafitte answered t coldly My personal manhood and oJ honor Donor Ask any merchant of New I Orleans with whom I have had dealt deall dealings deal deal- l t ings if ever I failed to fulfil my conY contracts conY con con- Y Y tracts Ask any I bank in New Orleans t f if my my paper has ever been dishonored 1 No Noman man woman or child white or r who knows my name but will wll tell you that I always l keep my prom prom- tJ ll f uses I X Well answered And Jackson L every vestige of ot reserve reserve now swept I 0 i away arose from his chair and comPi com com- Pi sing ling around the table extended both i hands bands which Lafitte grasped cordially f 4 1 Claiborne's m manner underwent a W marked change although it was still stilla A a t somewhat formal as he said Capt I 1 3 I 1 cannot do otherwise than b be believe ber r t.- t. lieve you to be sincere and to admire 1 7 c the motives which have led you to take this most honorable course I Iem Iy I r I t-m t pleased to be able to recognize in y you a good and loyal citizen and and my f proclamation against you jou will be revoked re reo yoked In th the morning Meanwhile In i. i y I. I J 1 ti 1 a t. t I token of amity between us here is my hand sir i Lafitte after aCter a moments moment's hesitation took the extended hand and bent his hIs hIs' head with a cold as that which had marked Claiborne's former n Jackson Jacks n evidently determined not to accept the governors governor's attitude as a criterion for his own said with Increased increased increased in In- creased friendliness Capt Lafitte I Ishall Ishall Ishall shall commend you to the President by the next post and furnish him with witha a full statement of this matter But glancing at atthe the clock on the mantel opposite him It him It Is late and I must return to headquarters I shall look for you to report tome to me at nine in the the n morning to talk over matters in detail de de- tail I must know precisely as to the amount of ot assistance I am to count upon from you and there are other things about which I wish to consult you I understand that no man main maI is so familiar as yourself with the country to the south south and southwest of here Is this true Yes gener general l. l as I 1 think I 1 may say without egotism S So I s supposed and I shall have some questions to ask of you in regard re regard gar gard to It My knowledge of the country country country coun coun- try is not entirely complete and I w wIsh ish to obtain all alJ possible information respecting the roads and waterways I shall be happy to serve you sir to the best of my ability and I thank thank you gentlemen gentlemen both both of you for the tho favor you have shown me The sudden huskiness of Lafitte's s firm firm voice was wag the only indication of his up pent-up f feelings as as he added added To Tonight To night t Gen Jackson Jackso I thank y you u in words but I hope to soon manifest my iny gratitude In in a more mor substantial form one form one that shall you no regret for the justice you ou have bave shown to Jean Lafitte of Barataria He left them them his his departure being a ac as rapid and quiet as had been his appearance appearance ap ap- and Jackson turning to Claiborne said with a smile of grim satisfaction I believe that we can save save New Orleans and If It we do by bythe bythe the Eternal a good share of ot the credit cred cred- it will belong to the men whom I called pirates and robbers robber's and approved ap ap- proved of your hanging CHAPTER Th The December sunshine lying about L La La Tete des Eaux gave a warmth and brightness that would have made the to e I. I 1 I r f. r 1 U T i tl 1 Y yI Il i season of the year scarcely to be bo realized real real- feed hed by one born to New England's ice and snow and the tho cold breeze stirring among tho the trees would have been but the frosty breath breath of early fall turned by the sunrise to dews that drenched the grass and few fallen leaves Gen La Roche Roch was was- hurrying through breal breakfast ast while his saddled borse horse in charge of or a mounted negro pawed impatiently as he stood waiting waiting waiting wait wait- ing for his master master- La Roche had ret returned home hoine only the day before for a brief brier visit and to assure himself U that all was wasell well ell wIth his bis household consisting now of his sister Lazalle and Rose de Even at this tills the tre last hour of his stay tay some of the items of news he tad had brought from the city were being discussed and enlarged upon A curious change of affairs remarked remarked re re- marked Madame that Gen Jackson should now be trusting so much to the who only last September were denounced by him as well as by every one OIe else I IThe The general laughed Well Well yes In September they were pirates and hellish but in December they are privateers and their leaders are gentlemen Yet I Ican Ican can assure you jou that they are brave fellows and and- t tremendous em dous fighters and Just the men needed pow now to help save New ew Orleans Then while folding his the general said animatedly How could I have forgotten to tell you a most surprising piece of news about Capt Jean That young joung man is a puzzle tome to tei me me What now noi asked Lazalle with marked Interest as La Roche pushed tack back his chair and looked at at his watch r Extended both hands which Lafitte Lafitte g g rasped cordially ly Just this answered L La Roche smiling at her and then glancing althe at al atthe atthe the others In a way to show shoat that he was about to startle startle them It a appears pears that Capt Jean has the honor of a a. personal personal personal per per- acquaintance with Napoleon What chorused the thee amazed hearers and Madame murmured murmured murmur murmur- ed eg in an stricken awe ent tone Capt Jean knows the French emperor La Roche nodded nodded But nut he is emperor no longer my my dear dear nor was he such when Lafitte knew him J But how can such a thing be b be bet e Lazalle began when Madame having recovered herself Interrupted interrupted interrupted in In- with Tell us all about it Philip How could he know Napoleon and where did you hear such an Improbable improbable Im im- probable story From himself was the laconic reply reply reply re re- ply accompanied by a look of great greats s satisfaction 1 The general was filled with exultation exultation tion tron at his his ability to to give his sister sIster- who ho had frequently expressed her dislike dislike dislike dis dis- like of his Intimacy with Lafitte Lafitte a a allece piece of or information n which he be was quite aware would with her her her-a a wor- wor t i. i 1 v L s 's 1 d. d J i fj l' l t H IJ 1 r h d' d I l Y T r V I t 1 of tho the illustrious n Corsican Corsican Corsican- n- n I I. I t place the leader in lIia pa a position position po po- I second only to him whose acquaintance ac no- I he could claim j I I 1 cannot credit such a thing she declared j I would You Could dould and you jou ou would had bad you you been where I was to hear what he said to Gen Ja Jackson Jackson It came about 6 In inthis this way A week week or ten days a ago Lafit e rendered an an n Important service s I of a private nature to Claiborne and the the- governor urged him to name something something some some- thing as a reward for his services services- What Lafitte asked was a picture ol ot Napoleon which it seems was his own property although he be was not aware t f of It Jt at the time Ume It had been looted of during that tha September Sep by one our men I attack on Barataria and Clai 1 g borne had rescued It being about as as s mad nad Iad over Napoleon as you yourself yourself sister mine and Lafitte had se seen n It hanging langing on the wall of the governors governor's' study The Theother other day at headquarters I 1 Iwas was present when Jackson and Lafitte were cre having a conference during which the general spoke of ot the matter mat mat- 7 ter fer and rallied Lafitte fit e uron the senti senti- rj price he lie had named for so BO valuable val a service he added that probably probably ably like all Frenchmen he made a u 1 sort of male Madonna ladonna out of Na Napoleon Na Na- l i I II l V I wish you could have seen Lafitte's face when he answered I revere revere him N NM M as the the man I have known and loved since Ince I was wasa a young boy and who has be been n as truly my guardian angel angelas as J ever evex ever a a good Catholic could pray pray the the f H Holy ly Mother to be And I wish you could have seen Jacksons Jackson's face as as he Leard It it 1 Ma Madame ame gasped and the two two wo r girls exclaimed in amazement It It was In France then that Capt Jean knew him Madame said won won- Naturally Louise as as as' Napoleon has never been in this country The general general gen gen- eral Hal now consulted his watch and added I I must must- be off and by the thew in i- i n w a ay erp none E. E oi of mention xou you ion the the- ther r fact fact that I I have u Hr i sy I as ass as it might not ot be pleasing to to Capt Jean He said no more than than I h have ve reI repeated repeated re re- I and w was was s unmistakably averse I to enlarging upon the subject I He always seems averse to t talking of of himself or Of of 01 his Is past life lite zalle said as if thinking aloud while they rose fron the table and Madame I. I remarked rather rathe severely that it was perhaps because there ther was some disgrace connected with his p past st j. j and t teat at this it lit might be which had t made him leave France r f The look of resentful Indignation which this uncharitable e comment brought to Mademoiselle de Caze- Caze j reau's face was softened somewhat I I when the general laying a hand on Other ther of of his sisters sister's plump jJ a said as he kissed her cheek For o one e so naturally kind of heart as J you are are Louise it is curious what 1 wrongful wrongful things you jou occasionally think in regard to other people After he was was in the sa saddle dle and the ladies ladles were standing on the veranda to see him depart he warned Lazalle J that for the present at least she I p should confine her aquatic excursions t t tto l' l to the immediate vicinity of the plan plan- I tation Then observing the perturbed I I. I expression his words words' had brought to Madame face he added that they hey were not to worry about the English Eng English lish as the latter were not at all likely likely- to appear in the neighborhood of Lake I f Borgne j v To be continued J h j jf f f.- f. t sources which are but in the infancy of their development There is n nother no other part of the Republic which makes s a a. stronger appeal to enterprising ing men whether they have large o or small capital It Is a a. beautiful country coun coup try a healthful country and a country countr which holds out every promise of social social social so so- cial satisfaction for those who go thereto there to make their homes The most amazing thing about the thi South is the cheapness of its fertile agricultural lands though one hearon hears hear hearson on every hand that prices have gone goat up considerably during the past few felt years rears They must have been giving land away before for after years of of national prosperity and wonderful strides in lo local al settlement and development development development deve deve- one can still buy fine farming farming farm farm- farming ing land at prices ranging from 5 5 an acre upward People regard 25 an acre as a a. pretty stiff stitt price for lands which would be considered very reason reasonable ble bleat at three or four times as much under the same conditions in Colorado Utah Idaho Washington or California True the Far Western lands are irrigated irrigated irrigated gated and Irrigation is a sort of miracle miracle miracle mir mir- acle which among other r things gives extraordinary value to land But we can compare these fertile ferUle Southern lands with the agricultural districts of Illinois Iowa and other prairie States and still they are literally dirt cheap There is no way to account for it except except except ex ex- ex- ex that the process of readjustment which has been going on since the War has not yet brought Southern land up to the level of prices prevailing prevail prevail- lag ing in other p parts of the United States With regard to markets In the West we are accustomed to long dis dis- When we start on a a. journey il wo Vo do not expect to arrive anywhere I r Jack Frost Trost still holds the earth In his l. l J grip above Mason Mama and Dixons Dixon's line In the matter of transportation the new settler In the South is fortunate Compared with newer sections of the country the South is with railroads Not only so BO but it enjoys important natural advantages in the |