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Show ea the voyage across. Hs appeared to hamas and Port Royal island to offset have been cast Into a trance by the the evils of Frances activity In colonimble mounting of riches, hie eye nizing the valley, urged that the cost glittering and never leaving the speak- of these posts could bo met by gold if only ers wild countenance. As the speech mined in the Appalachian ended Six Fingers shook his head to explorations are made to discover shake off the spell and turned to lower such." But unlike the French, my pe at the main. Now the tattered fellow pie never deliberately fooled themwas strutting toward me, doffing his selves. That the company would reworn cap and bowing low. At I sort to almost any deception to lure acknowledged bis salutation he cour- colonists to Louisiana was shown when silver was carried from Mexico to the teously Informed me: I am Francois Narbonne. These upper waters of the Mississippi and say I am mad. Perhaps later discovered" there as proof of the rich mines waiting to be uncovered. it is so. 1 was poisoned In rue 1 sold my heritage, 100,000 Bienville appeared at last, and onee more an he kept me waiting until he had and estate In this bought livres, land of gold. I paid 80,000 livres a loaded the two packets ; only this time square league for land 1 never saw. he did not leave with them. I saw Now I pay you my respects, as I take It Narbonnle and Six Fingers return from you must be seme overlord; or do you burying the dead and clamber aboard the second boat Their grewsome task hold only socage tenure?" sense to I began tragedy in the pale seemed to have made them excellent face and reckless speech. He was not friends, for they laughed and talked mad, I decided, but close to 1L I put In an uproarious fashion. Hls excellency now approached me, him down as a young roisterer back In hls had become who fascinated steady gaze never leaving my face. Paris, by the ridiculous tales. He had Invested He abruptly began: "Monsieur lVampton, your coming his entire patrimony In the land he had Quin-campoi- By Hugh Pendexter OFWOHTBYMtX3H PrNDFXTtl923-l9Z5- . BIENVILLE SYNOPSIS. Traveling by canoe the Mississippi, on his way to Biloxi, in the early days of the settlement of Louisiana, William Brampton, English spy, known to on Indians and settlers as the "White Indian, sees a Natches Indian post a declaration of war against the French. For his own purposes, he hastens to Biloxi to carry the news to Bienville, French governor. Brampton meets an old friend, Joe Labrador, Indian l.alfbreed, who warns him Bienville has threatened to ha(ng him as a spy. Brampton refuses to turn back. He falls In with Jules . nd Basils Mattor, on their way to Biloxi to secure wives from a ship, the Maire, bringing women from France. At Biloxi Brampto protects a woman from a sergegtg brutality. -- as. CHAPTER II . -- Continued Will you wnlk to where the boats are, so you may go to the main? I asked. God she shivered, staring franTo the main? To the wilderness! To the savages Anything to escape that 1" And her gaze followed the group of forlorn creatures now pawing and mauling the two Mattors. My name Is Brampton. Im English. Something of an outlaw from Virginia. 1" tically about. 1 You came to help great?" I am make Louisiana Claire Dahlsgaarde. Ive come to die," she simply replied. You fear that they misrepresented conditions to you? She gave me a quick sidelong glance, as sharp an penet fating as the point of a needle, and with more control of her voice Informed me: I was picked up in a raid. My first thought was that she must be the daughter of some poor farmer. For the companys agents In rounding up the friendless to ship overseus had no scruples In taking the daughters of the poor, be they ever so virtuous. But a glance at the slim white hands, so aristocratic and so unused to labor, sent a chill to my heart. She was poor, but no daughter of poor but honest people. She had been picked up In a raid. That was easily understood. But a young woman with slim soft hands, who had not worked. And yet there was Infinite appeal in the small face and silent grief. Her utter helplessness increased the Inevitable suspicion. Anyway, It was not for me to condemn her. I broke the silence by offering: I will walk with you to the shore and see you start In one of the first boa?s. Her bead Jerked up ns I spoke, because of some nloofness In my tone, I fear. 1 had not meant to be cruel, for a she was heartsick and body-sica ns woman as helpless very young child, and marooned In a land which fnust be to her a perpetual revelation of horrors. "It will be good to go In the boat," she managed to say. But perhaps not the first boat It depends." It will largely depend on his excellencys orders, I corrected. "But they the women said there would be much waiting. Too few boats I can tell better when I see them loading." Here was fine picking and choosing for one of her world. "Your name Is not French," I remarked for the snke of saying something as we walked along the shore. Danish I am Danish," she softly replied. And from Taris, or one of the villages?" From Paris last. I have no home nothing." We were now on the outskirts of a clamorous mob, where men and women fought to be first to leave the Island. 1 saw Bienville calmly directing his soldiers. One packet was filled and starting for the main. Another had room for two or three, and Bienville ran his cool gaze over the pushing, Jostling crowd. His eyes rested on me for a moment without a sign' of recognition ; then his arm shot out and a finger pointed in my direction, and his voice rose above the confusion to command: That woman back there. No; the one In black. Come, mademoiselle." --4 VIRGINIA SCOUTUC She paused for a moment and anxiously examined those aboard the boat, and then glided forward without a word or a glance for me. There was a commotion behind me and a short spider of a man, who walked like a sailor, pnd whose withered face denoted a long life evilly spent If there Is anything in physiognomy snarled aloud, and with unexpected strength hurled two men and a woman from his path in his efforts to follow her. She heard the anlmal-flkcry and turned her head, and there was an awful horror in her gaze as she beheld the man; and her eyes sought mine and pi elided protection. Instantly I knew she did not want this fellow to follow her. Intuition told me her fear of him was the reason she was unwilling to make for the boats until she had seen him depart, or knew be was left behind. Instinctively my long leg shot out and the toe of my moccasin caught his Instep, and he wns down on his face in the sand. By the time he scrambled to his feet she was In the boat and Bienville also was aboard. The governor was calling back to the sergeant: The others must wait till the next trip. Get them rations from the ship." The boat drew away from the shore and the hideous little man was at my throat. I leaped back and he attacked for the second time. He had very long arms and one hand held a dirk. I guarded with the barrel of my musket and flung him back on the sand. This time he rose more slowly, his small, deep-se- t eyes glowing with murder as he took time 4o Inspect me. "Thats much wiser," I told him. "Your voyage made you bloodthirsty." "Drown me in bilge, but youre English I he exclaimed, some of the malevolence leaving his puckered face. Then venomously: "Blast your eyes! You stopped me from making the main. He stood with his long arms hanging limply at his sides, and I noticed the little finger on each hand was missing, lie had the appearance of great age, and yet he had been as active as a monkey when he sought my throat. "His excellency would have turned you back. The boat was filled. They havent taken off all the women yet," I said. "Women I" he chuckled, turning ..o three women who had been attracted by the scene. The three lost their brazen boldness and shrank back from his leering gaze. Women he repeated. Tve seen 'em afloat, and Ive seen em ashore. And the dear creatures always took kindly to old Bill Slasher." "Old Six Fingers Is your name," one cried, making the sign of the cross. "You came over on the Maire? I Inquired. Aye, mate. Come because It was my choice. A man who sailed with Capn Davis and helped sack Fensa-col- a in sixty-fiv- e aint to be made to take any vyages he dont fancy. I want to git ashore and hunt for some of them mines all England and France e I x. never seen. The island, the view of the main, the nature of his fellow voyagers, had awakened him to the truth. s The patter was his fashion of showing perhaps was his only safeguard agalnBt Insanity. I concluded I liked him. I briefly stated my name and my reasons for being on the Mississippi. lie threw back his head and laughed, laughed until the tears ran down bis thin face. At last he gasped: A runaway Englishman forced to live here I And a Frenchman, who gives all he hath for the same blessed I must go without food for privilege a day and say 12 paters and as many aves at the shrine of the Virgin. No, no. Not all that. Ive been without food for three days. I owe nothing more than candles to the altar. Ill turn heretic. Ill turn Indian. Eh, Monsieur Brampton, would you kindly convince me with a display of the latest steps of the war dance? II II But hes an odd fish!" mumbled Six Fingers. "He was dull enough coming over with his moping and groaning until we was two days from the coast. Then he began his talk about gold till ones mouth would water. Ah, now he begins. Narbonne, who was addressing nonsense to the circle, suddenly gave his attention to me and explained : "I was thirsty and wandered to one of the lakes of rare wine, which bless this Island, and so was not here when the boats set sail. I was so busy gathering diamonds formed from dewdrops that I lost sight of the precious jewels among us here. I missed one Jewel In particular; nor do I see her now. She was dressed In black, most unholy of colors for one entering this land of enchantment. Did she go to the mainland, or is she wandering about the island? In the second boat," I coldly informed him. The effect of the question on Six He became Fingers was amazing. transformed into a demon of hate, his squat body seeming to dilate as he crouched and glared at Narbonne. So he cried. "D n your lugs that Is your game, eh? Youre after her." rat dares "What! The old address the Mlsslsslpplan without uncovering? I must have one of those And out came the withered ears. sword and Narbonne was lunging playfully and dexterously at the ancient. With a scream of rage Six Fingers leaped backward and yanked out his dirk, and catching It by the tip .hurled it at his tormentor. Only, by dropping to the ground did Narbonne escape It. Before the matter could proceed to more serious results Sergeant Suarez was between the two men, and hoarsestock-jobber- self-deslslo- 1 ! six-toe- d st ly bawling: Ills excellency rules that blood will have blood. Hanging for a killing The galleys for the man who attempts Is talking about to kill. You two are so full of life "Mines, mines yelled a clear voice ; you' shall come with me and help bury and a young man In tattered finery two dead men and a woman. The rest cnme rushing from the direction of of you stay here. And as for you, one of the ponds, his yellow curls Englishman, his excellencys orders are blowing in the breeze, his pale disso- that you be here when he returns. lute face redeemed by a whimsical I came purposely to meet him," smile. said. Till we meet again. Monsieur "The mad Mlsslsslpplan I" screamed Narbonne." "Monsieur Is very polite. I repeat one of the wenches, throwing herself In his path and clawing at his ragged hls words and look ahead to meeting cloak which he wore Jauntily although him on the golden, silver mainland. Pardll A He! He! the sun poured down terrific heat rat, we may The fellow brushed her aside and Come along, little stared at me, recognizing me as a find gold." stranger. Then arranging his cloak CHAPTER III and tenderly caressing the broken plume In his cap he lustily began proBad News and Sad News. claiming: Two years before, Nicholas de Fer, "Behold a Mlsslsslpplan. Who wants some Mississippi? Ten thousand shares under directions from the company, at sixteen thousand livres a share had prepared a map of the Mississippi Who buys Mississippi? You, fair sir, country which flamed the fever for with the chestnut hair and beard? Ten speculation. The company also made thousand shares at sixteen thousand changes in the old map made by John Who wants any Mississippi? Senex, the Englishman, so as to piclivres The land discovered by Johnny Las, ture the country a wonderful El Dowhere sliver is so plentiful it is only rado, while Herman Moll, prominent used in paving roads, where lumps of English cartographer, marked across gold are strewn so thickly that no one hls map of the country west of the cares to dig beneath the surface I" Mississippi: This country Is full of mines." Six FlngerB crowded by me, his eyes It Is true that my own countrymen, wolfish with greed as he listened to this fantastic harangue, Just as he in petitioning the Lords of Trade to must have listened to It many times establish military posts on the Ba 1 1 grave-digg- 1 er six-toe- d gives me a disagreeable duty to perform. I could sentence you to be hung. I have had 12 deserters bang, and a spy Is worse." That depends on the point of view, your excellency," I replied, rising and You would never confacing him. sider one of your spies to be as deplorable a creature as one of your deserters. May I assume from your words that you do not Intend to bang me? It will be the galleys, he coldly I should prefer to send answered. you and other malefactors to work In the silver mines In the West But that cannot be until Ive comploted negotiations with the Spaniards." Soldiers from Santa Fe have already come to the Missouri," I InSo there Is a trail that formed him. might be safer than the gulf route. Sol he exclaimed, and I knew I had hls Interest Then he returned to my case and NEW HANDY PACK Fits hand pocket and purse More for your money and the best Peppermint Chewing Sweet for any money Look for Wrigley's P. K. Handy Pack on your Dealers Counter G7 Pt said: "Monsieur Brampton, yon know me. It must always be that an eye calls for an eye. Blood demands blood. Treachery calls for exacting punishment I will be just; which means the price must be paid. Whether Its one of my soldiers, a poor savage, or a runaway Albers English, the price must be paid. stands for Your excellency, I was told on Better that you were grieved at Breafastf something I was supposed to have done. I was warned that you would Its the way we blend the flour that deal with me severely If I fell Into gives Flapjacks their uncommon flavor. your hands. 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Your excellency, the accusation Is as false as PARKERS He shook his head and morosely InHAIR BALSAM sisted : Removes Dandruff Stopi Hair Falling Restores Color and "You would have a hard time provBeauty to Gray and Faded Hair 60c and $1.00 at Druggists. ing your Innocence. You are English. Hueox Chem Wks Patchogne.N.Y. For three years you have been up and down the river. I know It has been HINDERCORNS Removes Corns. Callouses, etc., stops all pain, ensures comfort to the said that you dare not go back to Carofeet, makes walking easy. 15c by mail or at DrugHiscox Chemical Works. Patchogue, N. Y. gists. or do How we lina know that Virginia. is true? The last time you were here 40 of my men deserted Immediately Thompsons EYEWATER HELPFUL EYE WASH after you went up the river." "So have they deserted before I ever 1159 River, Troy, N. Y. Booklet. saw the river. So they will continue If you get mad at mean talk, you to desert as long as they are allowed dont belong on a soliciting to run loose with the savages and forget the lessons of discipline. They have deserted to Pensacola as well as Watch Your Daughter ! to the English colonies. They are protected by the priests In Pensacola even There is nothing so Billings, Mont. I repeat, on my oath, that I now. good to give growing girls as Dr. never encouraged a single desertion. Pierces Favorite Duty has driven me here, your excelMy Prescription. daughter got all lency, and it Is to be true to myself in health, rather than because of your deserters on thru brought now will I that complete my errand. over-stud- y at As I spoke I dropped on my knees school. She grew In the sand and drew my knife. very nervous and Can you read this? got so very weak And with the knife-poin- t I carefullv that she had no life or ambition left. I began a picture in the sand. 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