FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1900, Page 4

FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE.

Bz Arthur Paterson, Author of "A Man of Bis Word," " A Son o! the k Plains " etc, etc. ft }" For Freedom's Sake " appeared in Ferial form K Id the Weekly Edition of Thr Tin 8, February- ■ June, 1800. J

CHAPTER U.-Cm',inued. I FIRST BLOOD. "Yah, bo ye say. How about Governor Shannon? Who perswaded an' 'ticed an' coaxed him alone into Santone that day when he had all the boys, and me myself, at his back? And when he was fair corralled, who gave him whiskey till the good ould gentleman were blind dazy ; and who, thin, put the paper afore him which sent us all back to Missouri? It was you, ye spalpeen. You! Now, what shall we do to ye? for we have ye tight enough, you bet!" He laughed—the hoarse, fleering laugh of a man just tipsy enough to be dangerous. Mr. Elaiore laughed too, a laugh ■with a very sickly sound, and putting hand in his pocket, drew out a silver dollar. " After all you have some logic on yeur side, Pat; though I could put another face on the matter had I time. Let me pass, good friend, and take this for luck. Excuse me for being in a hurry; there is business waiting at home that must be attended to." He pressed forward, scanning with anxious eyes the flushed bloated face of the Irish Missourian. Pat Laughlin laughed again, rather more good humouredly, lowered his pistol and p#cketed the dollar. It appeared as if Mr. Elmore would go unscathed, but the action of taking out the money had exposed to view a massive gold watch-chain and bunch of seals, and upon this article Laugblin'a companion, who was not drunk, coolly . laid his bauds, delivering a backhander at the same moment in its owner's face and knocking him down. Pat Laughlin roared \vi_th laughter, then started back with f.n oath ut;d a cry, for, before kisoornjiiuiiou hiiutiinu to pocket his prize, ho'jert advancing suddenly from behind, - caught him a blow over the Lead which knocked head over heels. Pat Laughlin had his fistol still in his hand, but in his muddled condition of brain was sc Itaggered by this unexpected flank attack that he fired wildly, throwing tip the other arm to save his head from the coming blow, H<& shot flew wide and Robert, with a deft turn of the .wrist, learnt at many a bout of single

etiok, dealt the Miesouriaa two blows With hia sapling) one on the elbow Mid one on the fftce, knocking bis revolver from hit; hand and nearly blinding him, Thereupon the other Wan, rising from the ground and seeing Ihftt the enomy vaa making toward him ngftisji wi for hia lifoi'and the Srwioubtoblq P»t| etor»3pir.g with natoi fallowed his esitnnlc, leaving Robert &nA Aki Ktawrg masters «f the situti--Bobert'B SrSt action WW to pick vip, th*-revolver, and follow for a few ft jwc?B the retreating <'gm-si of thojtffaw.rhmß, They t'-'.rncd encoj hot jsueing him. thiM on th« c.lort contented theiaaelves with e, tnsn&ping shakg of _. the fist, o.nd pursued their way to town, He returned to Mr, Elmore-, Shad gentleman wag a little dusty, &nd had a cut on his cheekj otherwise lifl was as cool and icllecfcod as if nothing had happened. Ho raised his hat With a dry and forum! gesture, ,! Allow me to express roy thanks,

fclr i I trust you are not injured V He paused for Robert to reply, and then, lifter a keen glanoe at; the young inaa'a fftCß| continued "My house is close berci Will you take some refreshment f There was something as eool about ftU this, that had not Robert been awaro who the manwwats t he would have declined the invitation and left him with scant ceremony. As it was he Stiffly mentioned his busiuess and Isaac . Shappstt's name. Mr. Elmore's rnan■Apei changed at once, and, though still, it became exceedingly polite, and he invited Robert to lunch with him. They walked on brisklyand readied the White House in a few minutes, during which Mr. Elmore kept up a constant flow of talk about Boston, Philadelphia, his native dry, the fertility or !ui:j.-.i.-- ; and the excellent oi>:!oriii:iide:; ;o bo obrahv.-Jl just now lor investment of c:i;.!.,•:!. Kot a word lis J he uUer ah-.'.'. 1 , li;;; incident of the memin,'. It v.-<-., c'ut.r that he either wished lo forget it, or considered it of toj trivia! a nature to ' be 6poken of. As they approached the k house, Bobert noticed that Mr. Elmore & furtively wetted his handkerchief and ■ rubbed away at his cheek as if enm deavouring to remove every sign of his I blow and tumble. W~' (To h continued,)