FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 36, 14 February 1900, Page 4

FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE

- Br Axthuk Patbbson. CHAPTER YD.—Continued, The path became broader every moment. A few hundred yards away a wreath of smoke curled upwards among the trees; the sound of an axe ringing out in the still air with steady regularity gave full evidence of the abode- of men, and Robert, from the description given him by Shappett. knew he was near his journey's end. The road curved sharply to the left, and full in view came a low-roofed house of logs, standing in the midst of the tree stumps cleared by fire. Hardly had Robert turned Sancho's head in this direction when a shepherd puppy, aburly mass of black and brown wool, came out of the house and barked with shrill volubility and self-import-ance. This greeting was shortly followed by the appearance of a man who advanced slowly towards his visitor. Robert looked at him with intense curiosity, which became keen anticipation, for from the figure and lineaments of the man it was obvious that this was John Brown himself.

Day and night for a week Robert had thought of John Brown. What he would look like; how he would speak; whether he would prove disappointing and commonplace upon acquaintance. Fearing this, he had schooled himself to. expect nothing and make the best of what he saw, trusting that whatever his first impressions might be, Isaac's remarks would be justified in the end. What he did see was a spare, elderly man, tall and deep chested, with square shoulderg and a long neck. He had been cooking, and was dressed in a flannel shirt without a collar, a pair of brown trousers, and long boots. No man looks imposing in such guise, but Robert saw a thing at ohce which struck him favourably. Poor as John Brown's dress was, it was scrupulously dean and neat. His shirt of rough grey cotton was spotless; his trousers, patched as Shappett had expressed it "to the lining," fitted him without a crease, while his boots, strangest of all in the western territory, were as well polished as though he were in the cavalry and had just come oft' parade. So much for the outward figure of the man as it appeared at first glance. Then Robert looked into the face, and his fears vanished for ever. It was a longish face, set, as we have said, on a long neck. The forehead was high and rather narrow, brows straight cut, light in colour, and beneath them eyes of the darkest grey. Here Robert's observations came to a full stop. Not until he had become acquainted with John Brown, and studied his face at rest, did he take any note of the hooked nose, broad mouth, and massive chin. For it was by his eyes that John Brown was known to friend or foe. Eyes of great width, the lids slightly drooping, giving a look of watchful keenness which, combined with a natural steely brightness, imparted to them an extraordinary power of expression. Above his forehead, his hair, dark but touched

with grey, grew thick and low. It was brushed straight back, without parting, and was closely cut round the clean shaven face. There was not a weak part anywhere in the face; and the lines over the forehead and round the eyes and the mouth, the down drawn curve of the lips, and the hard " set" of the jaw showed the nature of the man. One full of headstrong, violent passions, with infinite capacity for love and hate, intense sympathies and narrow prejudice—all held in the grip of a tremendous will. John Brown saw one side of things, but only one; and where he inspired j one man with devotion, he filled ten .others with fear and hatred. Yet he did his life's work as few have ever done. He died happy and content, or: "Though they slew him with the sword And in the firo the touchstone burned, Its doings could not be o'ertunied, Its undoings restored. " And when to stop all future harm, They strewed the ashes to the breeze, They little guessed each grain of these Conveyed the perfect charm." Such was John Brown, and Robert, meeting for the first time the gaze of those steel grey eyes, felt his pulse quicken, and his colour rise. Instinctively he raised his hat. " Captain Brown ?" The man nodded, with a kind of impatience. "My name is Brown, friend. Get down, sit you on this log and tell me your business." John Brown pointed to the felled trunk of a tree near at hand, and watched eveiy movement of Robert's with lynx-like keenness. In his belt was a pistol, near wliieh he kept his right hand while he spoke. This reception was somewhat chilling. It had not struck Robert that any one would suspect him. He did as he was bid. (To be continued.)