Part 2 (2/2)

”And I must say that I am rather astonished to see a man of your parts in so unusual a place.”

”You might well be,” returned the other, slapping his boot-leg with his riding-whip. ”And truth to tell, I am a trifle astonished myself. But matters between the Spanish and the French grew very monotonous toward the last, below there in the Floridas and on the Gulf. They made war very politely and saw to it that there was plenty of breathing time between cannon-shots. So I took s.h.i.+p and came north. They told me that the clouds were gathering here and that there would be much credit for a man of my inches to gain, in one way and another.”

”If you look for fighting,” said Ezra, soberly, ”I fancy you'll get your fill of it before many days.”

The other laughed and leaned gracefully against a tree. He had thick black brows, and he bent them at the young New Englander jeeringly.

”Fighting!” mocked he. ”Where is it to come from? Gage has an army of veterans and dare not come out. This other man--”

”General Ward?” suggested Ezra, as the other hesitated.

”Yes-thanks. General Ward has gathered a rabble of peasants which would tear off like sheep at the first sound of a heavy gun.”

”You are wrong,” cried Ezra warmly. ”I saw them under fire. They acted the part of men.”

”I've heard of that fight,” said the young man. ”Pshaw! Such a thing is not a test. Wait until they are forced to sleep out under the stars, to mount guard in the wet, to obey popinjay officers, to keep hungry bellies for days on end, to be sick without physic, to be cold without clothing, to be beaten and asked to fight again. That will show the color of their courage, sir. Your General Ward may be satisfied with less; but nothing short of all I've mentioned would answer the needs of an old campaigner.”

To hear him with his youthful face, and sprouting moustaches, calling himself by such a name, caused Ezra to smile. Instantly the face of Gilbert Scarlett changed.

”But it seems that I am wasting good time speaking with you,” said he, coldly. ”I find that men of experience are not understood by colonials.”

His hard, black eyes ran over the lines of the tall bay horse which Ezra bestrode, and he proceeded, ”That is a fair-looking charger. Anyhow, it's the best to be had at this time, I suppose. So do me the favor to get down.”

Ezra looked at the speaker in some surprise.

”Perhaps you will explain,” said he.

”The situation is so plain,” proclaimed Gilbert Scarlett, ”that I can scarcely see the need of an explanation. But, since you ask for one, here it is. My horse can go no farther. Yours can. So, as I have urgent affairs to transact, I propose that we make an exchange.”

”It would seem that your military schooling has taught you to expect the better of a bargain, if nothing else,” said Ezra quietly.

The other laughed.

”It would have been of very little value if it hadn't,” said he. He once more hitched at his sword belt, and this time the movement held the elements of a threat. ”But,” he went on, ”that is neither here nor there. We will come to the exchange at once, if you please.”

”I am glad that you mentioned that last,” smiled Ezra. ”Suppose I don't please?”

The points of the spiky moustache went up and the heavy black brows came down.

”In that event,” said Gilbert Scarlett, ”I shall be forced to alter your mind.”

A little earlier, Ezra had had before him a youthful, careless face, had listened to boastful, empty speech and had smiled. But in an instant all was altered. The face was now hard and lined; the careless mouth was tight shut and cruel looking, the voice was sharp and peremptory.

”Once more-and for the last time, mark you-I invite you to get down.”

”I think your contempt for colonials has led you astray,” said Ezra, still with a smile. ”We do not give up our belongings so easily in this part of the world.”

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