iTTT/if LOUiSIAN/V J BY gARY fiEVEREUX ™ nTTH ILLUSTRATIONS BY DOM C. W/LSON CCcpyngAt, £902, by £ Stffc, £-ortrf, arxf Ccynp&Ty) CAJJ Vcxnvc'J CHAPTER XXIX. Less than a week later, one early afternoon, the members of the house hold at La Tete des Eaux were start led by the booming of cannon in the direction of Lake Borgne. What nad happened was this: An English fleet, with twelve hundred men, had, with the intention of throw ing an attacking force across Lakes Borgne and Pontchartain. sailed into Lake Borgne and opened an attack up on the Americans, whose presence was a surprise to the enemy, as Capt. Lockyer, commanding the latter, had understood that this point was de fenseless. A fierce battle followed, resulting in a partial victory for the English, who were now masters of Lake Borgne. It was the Shapira who, late in the afternoon, brought this news to La Tete des Eaux. The house was soon in a bustle of preparation, the inmates packing has tily the few things they were to take w ith them in their flight, and conceal ing such property as would be likely to attract thieving bands among the enemy, who would, with little doubt, visit the plantation, as Shapira report ed the woods about Lake Borgne to be filled with British soldiers. Madame Riefet. when not absorbed by other matters, did not hesitate to express her reluctance toward accept ing the assistance of this swarthy, brigandish-looking man, whom she had never before seen, and whose very existence had been unknown to her. “I know something of him.” spoke up Mademoiselle Rose. “He is the man of whom grandpere' rented Ka nuahana. Didn’t you know it?” “Yes.” Lazalie added, before Mad ame Riefet had time to frame a fitting reply, ‘ and we have seen him many times about the woods here. Rose and I once saw Captain Jean talking with him; and I think he is very oblig ing.” ‘‘But all this he tells us of a cave, where we can hide, right here on the plantation, yet which no one has ever heard of before, and no one, except ing Captain Jean and himself, seems to know anything about, sounds very strange and incredible. Did your grandpere know of this cave, Mig nonne?” “I do not know, but I think not. 1 never heard of such a thing. Yet, madame, it surely is safer to trust this man, who tells us that Captain Jean sent him, than to stay here and risk visit from those dreadful soldiers.” ‘‘We dare not stay, and so we must “Surrender, you trust him.” said Madame, with a.weak attempt at resolution, as she slid a jewel-box into the bundle Violet was preparing to fasten. Old Ztney had come over from Kanauhana, having insisted upon be ing taken away with her beloved young mistress; and now she entered the room to announce that Captain Jean was below stairs. Never had his arrival at the planta tion been so welcome as now. Mad ame Riefet, catching up her out-of door wraps from the bed. ordered that the various bundles be brought down stairs; for the phlegmatic Barbe had finished tying up the last one as Chloe handed Senorita I.azalie the lace scarf for her head, while Ma'am Brig ida was fastening the long cloak she had insisted that her nursling should wear. “You may feel yourself fortunate, Madame Riefet, that >x>u are able to leave here by daylight, and not, like some people I know, be roused from sleep to find yourself a prisoner in English hands,” said Lafitte, as they joined him on the stairway. As they were descending the stairs, he called to Shapira, who was stand ing on the veranda, and then hurry ing down, gave the latter some in structions which the others did not hear as they passed out of the house and faced the slaves, now huddled in to a terrified mass, with their faces full of despairing expectancy. Some of the women began lament ing wildly when they found that they were not to go away. But Lafitte, in his usual authoritative fashion, quiet ed the hubbub, and ordered Shapira to take them to the Colonneh, which —as he now decided—was not to be used as a hiding-place for those whom he himself had, so unexpectedly, been able to assist. One of his owr craft, commanded by Baptistine, was tying off the Owl’s Point* awaiting the signal which would announce the coming of Lafitte, who, bent upon a private mission in the neighborhood, had not reckoned upon the present denouement. But now, in view of all the circum stances, he considered this, the boat, a more desirable means for conveyng the Lulies directly to Shell Island, where now were only old Sciplo, Ju niper and the hoy, Nato. Waiting therefore until he saw Sha pira start for the Colonneh, followed by t\ie now quiet slaves, Lafitte, who had T^eantlme “xplalned his*plan to his own charges, told them to follow him, and set out hurriedly in an op posite direction from that taken by Shapira and his dusky retinue. The forest was darkening with late afternoon shadows as the fleeing par ty followed, in comparative silence, the tall form that led them. At length the party emerged from the deeper shadows of their wooded way, and came into a cleared space, where the knoll known as "The Owl’s Point” projected into the bayou; and halting here. Lafitte looked about him, while the others stood grouped a little distance away, awaiting quietly his movements. But before he could give the signal to Baptistine. whose craft was con cealed around the bend of the bayou, two men burst from the cover of a thicket opposite Lafitte, a gun w’as leveled at his breast, and a hoarse voice shouted, "Surrender, you cursed pirate!” Rose de Cazeneau, with a wild cry, rushed between the weapon and La fitte, while Barbe, who had been star ing—as though he were a ghost—at the holder of the gun, echoed the ( shriek of her mistress. "Do not—do not shoot your child!” she screamed; and, at her words, old Zeney, who stood nearest the strang er. gave him one searching look, and rushed in turn between her mistress am! the gun, just as it shot out a jet of flame. A second report mingled so closely with the first as to make them seem j but one; and Zeney, with the man who had shot her. fell to the ground. All had happened so quickly that Lafitte, who was, for an instant, un nerved by Rcse de Cazeneau’s effort to save him, had scarcely time to craw a pistol before his unknown as sailant fell, as if from the discharge of his own weapon, which had killed Zeney. In their surprise and fright, and by reason of the confusion, no one except i Lafitte had comprehended any mean ing in the words which followed the wild cry of Barbe, w ho now stood sob bing hysterically, with her arms around her half-swooning mistress, while Lazalie, with dilating nostrils ' and blazing eyes, sought to release berself from Madame Riefet. Baptistine. who had heard the shots, reached the shore in a small boat pulled by some of his crew, soon after Shapira appeared at the edge of the thick woods from whence had come the bullet that had killed Zeney's slay er. The English sailor, at Lafitte’s com cursed pirate!” mand, new surrendered his arms to Shapira, and was promised freedom, m exchansft for a truthful statement of the motive which brought his com panion and himself to the spot. He said that the other man had been unknown to him until that same morn ing; and all he now knew of him was that he was a scout, picked up from among the Indians, and bought to seine the English. Capt. Lockyer, who was in command of the English | fleet upon l.ake Borgne, having learned that Lafitte was in that vicin ity. had selected this scout to find and capture the man upon whom he longed to execute personal vengeance. His orders had been to bring Lafitte to him, alive, if possible, and dead, rather than not at all; and the sailor, having been one of the crew who rowed the British officers to their mortifying conference at Grande Terre, had been sent with the scout in order to identify Lafitte. Such was the end of the man in whom Barbe had recognized the bril liant officer of former years—recog nized, despite the shock cf grizzled hair, and the changes wrought by time and a lawless life in the face and form that had tempted the new year’s elopement. Meantime, Baptistine had landed; unweaving his men in the boat, he canm leisurely to where Lafitte was questioning the English sailor. The Baiatarian’s shrewrd eyes had glanced ever the scene; and the fallen bodies, the group of excited women—all that he saw, told his alert perceptions what had presumably taken place, while the sight of his commander, standing unharmed, and Shapira's at titude, as he leaned upon his gun, as sured him that the danger, such as it might have been, w’as past. Hence his nonchalant, strolling gait to where Lafitte stood. The latter saw him at once, and in terrupted himself to bid Shapira see that the sailor awaited his further or ders. Then drawing Baptistine aside, he gave him instructions in regard to placing the ladies and their maids aboard his boat. “But it seems very dreadful to leave poor Zeney lying there,” said Rose, with a tearful backward look, as La fltte was assisting her into the small boat. “It is not possible to d(^otherwise, child,” he answered gentlj^ightening his pressure upon the small hand he was holding. “All that can be done for her now, I will see !s done befora I join you. Will you not trust me to do that?” The expression of the tear-stained eyes raised to meet his look answered him without the need of speech. “You are not coming with us?” she began, when Madame Riefet inter rupted her with a shrill—“Not coming with us! Oh, Capt. Lafitte, we can not go without you. And these strange men! Indeed”—now angrily —“we will not!” He had put Rose aboard the boat, and turned to assist Lazalie, while he answered Madame Riefet’s outburst calmly, although there was evidence of impatience held in check. “I intend to escort you personally to Shell Island, madame; but it is best that you all go aboard the boat my captain here has waiting around the point. Fe will take you to it, and then return tor me, as I have a duty here which I cannot very well perform until you and the other ladies have gone. There may be other English men prowling in the vicinity: and the sound of the firing may bring them this way. If this should happen, I can manage matters to far better ad vantage by knowing that you are out of harm’s way ” Madame made no reply, but permit ted him to place her in the boat. Ma'mam Brigida followed her, Violet coming last; and the sailors pushed off as Baptistine sprang aboard. “Why does not Barbe come with' us?” Madame Riefet demanded ab ruptly. as she saw the French woman walk to where Shapira was bending over the body of Zeney, intending— as ordered by Lafitte—to carry it into the woods for burial. LaSite answered from the shore, “Barbe will come with me; there is something I wish her to do. Madame Itiefet, if you will kindly permit.” He had, unnoticed by the others, laid a detaining hand on Earbe's arm, and whispered, “I wish to speak with you; wait here until the boat returns.” She gave no sign of having heard him, but stood silently, until, as Violet was following Erigida into the boat, she turned ar.d walked over to where lay the dead. (To be continued.) AN ACHIEVEMENT CF SCIENCE Mental Processes in a School for Idiots. Driveling idiots, if taken at an early age, can be made useful men and wom en, writes Stephen Smith, M. D., LL. D., in Leslie's Magazine for April. The methods of one institu tion for idiots which I visited can be* cited: The instructor arranged several idiots of the same grade on the floor, and, cofnmencing with a newcomer, he gave the child its first lesson by placing its hand on a dumb j bell and striking the bell with an 1 other. The child started and invol untarily removed his hand from the bell. The exercise was repeated sev eral times, and this was the first les son, and was regarded as very satis factory. The second child had been under instruction for six months, and he noticed the descent of the bell in the doctor's hand, and withdrew his hand from tiie bell before it was struck. The third child had been un der instruction nine months, and when the blow was falling he withdrew his hand and also the bell, and there was a faint smile on his face, the fourth child had been in the school two years, and showed his ad vancement by imitating the awkward ness of the other boys during the exercises. When the doctor ap proached him he seized his bell and struck the doctor's with a loud laugh. Thus the rudimentary and dormant nerve-cells had been aroused to ac tivity; first the censorv nerve centres of touch were stimulated and began to enlarge; then the closely affiliated centres of sight were excited; still further the process of stimulation | proceeded, until the higher groups of ! nerve-cells were arounsed, and the ric-ntal process of tracing cause and effect began, and the driveling idiot ! became a reasoning being. I Duly Qualified Kisses. Some individual with oceans of time on his hands has conceived the idea of hunting through the works of Eng lish novelists for the purpose of find ing all the adjectives used to qualify the word kiss. The result is as fol lows : Cold, warm, icy, burning, chilly, cool, loving, indifferent, balsamic, fragrant, blissful, passionate, aroma tic. with tears bedewed, long, soft, hasty, intoxicating, dissembling, deli cious, pious, tender, beguiling, hearty, distracted, frantic, freslvas-the-morn ing, breathing fire, divine, satanic, glad, sad, superficial, quiet, loud, fond, heavenly, execrable, devouring, omi nous, fervent, parching, nervous, soul les*. stupefying, slight, careless, anx ious, painful, sweet, refreshing, em barrassed, shy. mute, ravishing, holy, sacred, firm, hurried, faithless, nar cotic, feverish, immoderate, sisterly, brotherly, and paradisaical. The task seemed interminable, and he gave up at this stage. Australia’s Rabbit Plague. The last spell of heat cleared off a multitude of rabbits directly around Broken Hill, and although there are still many about, they are not nearly so plentiful as a few weeks ago. However, apparently there has been no diminution on the holdings a few miles from Broken Hill. At one well known station the lessee has been trapping the rabbits at the tank Wien they come to drink. In this way no fewer than 35.000 rabbits have been exterminated at one tank in a fort night. A cartload containing 700 rab bits, was put on the scales and weighed one ton.—-Melbourne Argus. Historic Thimbles. In Mrs. Vanderbilt's collection of thimbles, which is the envy of her friends, there are several that are not only very beautiful, but historically valuable as well.- Among the latter, and probably most highly valued by their fortunate owner, is one which was originally worn by Queen Eliza beth; another, which shows its royal owner knew its use, was the property of Princess Alice; still another dainty conception in gold and enamel once belonged to the Princess of Wales, while most valued of all is one said to have been used by Queen Victoria when she was a girl. ► Improbable. Editor (severely)—Don’t you know enough to w-rite facts Instead of fic tion in this paper?” Cub Reporter—Why, sir, my story tells just what happened. Editor—Tells w-hat happened? Why. here in the first paragraph you say that an automobile was going slowly dow-n the street. His Nasty Dig. Mrs. Golswizzer—”Our new cook is •a deaf and dumb old maid.” Mr. Goldwizzer—“What else is the matter with her besides being a deaf mute?” Mrs. G.—‘ Nothing at all.” Mr. G.—‘‘Then 1 can’t understand why she's an old maid.” Caught in a Mis-Statement. Homely Lecturer — Women, my friends, are invariably hard please. Voice in the audience—One mo ment, please. Are you married? Homely lecturer (irritably)—Yes, sir. I am. Voice—Is your wife happy? Lecturer (proudly and indignantly) —Yes. sir. she is! Voice—Then, sir. you are a liar. Exchange of Confidences. ‘Husband (during the honeymoon)— I was awfully nervous when I pro posed to you. I was afraid you would not accept me. Wife—And I was awfully nervous for weeks before you proposed. I was afraid you wouldn’t. OUGHT TO EE SATISFIED. Sallie—If I was dividing the cake I d give you the big piece. Tommy—Then what yer kickin' about? I’ve got it, ain’t I? X Art and Geography. Among the visitors at an art exhi bition were two old ladies from the country. They were examining with great interest a bas-relief of a young Greek shepherd, beneath which were inscribed the words. "Executed in terra cotta.” ‘‘I wonder where Terra Cotta is? ventured the elder of the two, turn ing to her companion. “Well, now, I ought to know,” hesi tated the other, “but 1 can't seem to place it just now." “Ah. well,” rejoined the first speak er, as they passed on, “it must be a dreadful place if they execute harm less young boys like that there. Youth's Companion. Brotherly Advice. “I wish I knew whether Tom really loves me or not,” said the dear girl as she toyed with her engagement ring. ‘Til tell you how you can find out,” said her big brother. “Next Thurs day is his birthday: make him a pres ent of a box of cigars like you gave me last Christmas.” “But how will that prove his love?” asked the innocent maid. "If he smokes them himself he loves you.” answered the wise b. b.; “and if he gives them to his friends be doesn't.” Sharp Rebuke From Cholly. Cholly—I was weally seveah with a wude fellah on the street cah today. Dolly—What did you do. Cholly? Cholly—Well, y’ see. the chap kept staring at me horribly. So I finally fixed my monocle upon him and said. "1 say, me man, you must be dev’Bsh liahd up for something to look at. y know!” I could see fce was awfly cut up. for he said: “I guess that's right.”' _ A Long-Felt Want. “I’ve got a patentable idea that 1 expect to make a fortune out of. said the local inventor. “What ’tis?" queried the party with the rubber habit. “A scarfpin shield that will prevent a voting man from getting tangled up in his best girl’s hair,’ answered the genius. It. Cholly Sappey—“Such an odd girl, don’t y’ know. When she was intro duced to me she burst out laughing.” Miss Peppery—“Yes, she’s hysteri cal.” Cholly Sappey—“Aw—really?” Miss Peppery—“Yes, she frequently laughs at nothing.’’ Further Information Wanted. She—How did you spend your time while yfcu were away? Her Husband—I counted the min utes until I could see you again. She—Um—that would not take long. What did you do with the min utes after they were counted? After the Party. The Sister—She was fishing for compliments, as usual. The Brother—Well, I don’t know what she was fishing for, but she seems to have landed that fellow who used to call on you.—Detroit Tribune. One Secret She Keeps. “She says she knows a few things about you, but she refuses to tell what they are.” “Yes; she’s referring to a fewr truth ful remarks I made about her.” Only One of Her Kind. “She is a marvelous woman.” “What has she done—written a booff?” “No. She met a fellow with a cough and didn’t tell him of a sure cure.”— Illinois State Journal. Common Complaint. “How does he like his new job?” “It only has one drawback." “What’s that?” “The work connected with it.”— Illinois State Journal. Don’t You Think That Jarred Him? Miss Sharpe—Vera,” he began, you must know why I’ve been calling here so much; why I sit here in the parlor with you night after night—’’ “I suppose, Mr. Kloseman,” the girl interrupted, “it’s cheaper to do that than take me out anywhere.”—Catho lic Standard and Times. Enterprise. >.ordy—“Gasberry is such an en terprising chap. Always first in the i field.' ” , Butts—“What's he done now?” Nordy—“Started a school of corre spondence to teach people to conduct schools of correspondence.” He Was Satisfied. Sister What! You engaged to Miss } rettjun Why, she has no fam ily tree! Brother—Oh, I guess she has—and jut;gin? from her appearance it must be a peach! Handicapped. His Wife—The baby is awfully backward about learning to talk. Her Husband—Perhaps you don’t give him a chance, my dear. She Is So Light-Headed. “I won tier why Mamie will load her hat with such a lot of trimmings?” Probably to keep her head from blowing away.” At the Sewing Circle. Mrs. Cutter—W’hat do you^do when you husband goes on a tear? Mrs. Stitcher—Oh, I just let him rip! ACCOMMODATING. Employer—Here! ¥/hat does this mean? My telephone's been taken out. Office Boy—Sure. De office bey next door said his boss would like to use it, and I sent it in to him; but, say, I had a* av.ful time to git it off de desk. Rijhtly Defined. j Teacher—What are the three per- i sonal pronouns? Pupil—He, she, and it. Teacher—Give an example of their use. Pupil—Husband, wife, and baby. The First Consideration. “Where are you going to take your vacation?” “I don’t know. I want to be sure T’m going to get it before I decide where I’m going to take it.” Judging His Worth. Old Man—How can you afford to smoke that 25-cent cigar?” Young Man—Oh, to-day was pay day.” Old Man—And what did you do with the other quarter? Clearer Way of Putting It. “Father asked Mr. Binks out last evening.” “I thought he didn’t like him.” “He doesn’t. You don’t understand. He asked him to get out.” Ado^.’ens. Don t you think that some men make a mistake in adopting politics as a career?” "ies; bu* it isn’t as seriouN v the mistake that politics makes in adopt ing some men as its representatives." All Changed. How about Miss Sneering?” in quired the returned traveler. “I Sup Posaayou are still friends?” No, indeed.” replied Sna«iley; ‘‘w’hy, we’ve been married over a fear.” Cultivated. Mr. Blox—What a beautiful swan like neck Mrs. Blank has!” Mrs. Knox—No, wonder. Her kitchen is in the basement and she has to stretch it every time she looks out tc see who's going by!” Implicating Skaggs. Baggs—I conceal nothing from m> wife; I tell her everything. Skaggs—Well, I wish you’d quit it She runs right over and tells my wife and I get a calling. Punctilious as to Good Form. Bah Jove, old fel, I was wanting 1.0 see you, you know. I had just had my man call you up at j'