Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-11-05

U
most over since, but It's So"
| recollected that some such looking
chap had joined us about that time
but l couldn't have sworn to him evel
by daylight However. It made littl
odds to us, and all three Of US struck Of
from camp together.
(which way did the sound com
fromt' asked !, after we had gon
about fifty yards
From the norrad," answere
O'Brien, promptly. II does be think
In that's the rasin We heard 1t so plain
The winds BLOWN loike It cam
straight from the pole. an 1t fetche'
the scrame wild it."
Due north we steered. and ate
walking quarter OF mile or so W
saw a big bowlder ahead with a red
blaze shining somewhere near it. dis
tinct from the white light around us
''Howly saints!' CALCULATED O'Brien
"that does be the place sure. Sergeant
what's yer orders9 Yea can take tn
lade now" rf e.
keep your mouth shut then, AM
creep after me as easy as mice Pull
your guns, but no firing without or
| ders."
| As we drew nearer, the red ligh
grew broader and deeper. but we coult
see no fire.
FAITH an that's mighty quare en-
tirely."s whispered O'Brien, who's,
tongue nothing short OF gag coult
have sllenced. I'm thinkin' the,
does be houldin' witches sabbath NJ
here, and that loight'll vamose n:
soon's they git SENT OF u.s."
Just then we made out that the light
came from the base Of huge bowlder.
"Old Gryce hit 1t. A cache OF Gray
sons or some other gang; perhaps the
very gents we're been following.
Who'd have thought OF looking hereP"
"Let me go on scout sergeant "
says the boy, in mighty hurry as
thought. THAT light comes from a
cave-for Gods sake let me find the
way in, and see who's in it."
Hold on. youngster, says I. grip
ping his arm as he was making of.
Pears to me that you're too previous
How do / know what you're up TOP
You're u stranger to me. young fellow;
you've forced yourself along with us;
for all know you'll give us away to
whoever's hiding In that hole. You
come along with us, and II ! see any
thing queer about you. It'll be the
worse for you"
The boy threw up his hands with a
gesture OF wild impotence. my
Godl" he muttered. 'if they only
kneww
This made me distrust him still
more. II was plain he was hiding
something.
Go on a step before u.s." said l. mo-
tioning with my pistol toward the
light; land mind-not word-not a
step aslde-or shall just scatter your
brains on these rocks"
That seemed to stiffen him, for he
put down his hands and went on
quietly enough. In five minutes more
We were opposite the mouth OF the
cave and could get glimpse Of the
inside. Around the fire six great
bulky fellows lay stretching their lazy
length in the hot glow. It was plain
they hadn't any idea Of our neighbor-
hood, for they laughed and talked
loudly, and often took swig from a
brown jug standing by. They were
a common looking lot OF border ruff
fans. and among them l recognized
Grayson and Coats, who were wanted
all over Texas for murder, train rob-
bling and horse stealing.
A woman was seated on a rock
In the full glow OF the fire. ! could
not see her face, for her elbows were
propped on her knees, and her head
buried in her hands. but judged from
her figure. and the long black hair fall
ing round her like a vail that she was
young. At sight OF her the boy ut
tered-I don't know what-it sounded
like a curse smothered In groans-
The girl raised her head quickly and
looked round. What face! never
saw its like before never shall
again. II was the most beautiful
ever looked at. but white as the dead,
and the big black eyes stretched wide
In a CLASSY stare rs II they had
seen some sight so horrible 1T had
turned them into stone. seized the
youngster with a grip that reminded
him to keep silence, and dragged him
away to safe distance.
"Now. boy, just explain this busS-
ness. and say why you can't keep q
still tongue when all our lives depend
on It,"
sits in luck we are" broke In
O'Brien, "that the spalpeens Is maxim
such n hullabaloo thimsilves, or it's
riddled wild bullets we'd be. me boys"
Sergeant, cried the boy, the big
tears rolling down his face, lit is my
sister those villains have got there.
These devils came ra!ding into the
Panhandle where we lived. was out
hunting. and when / returned ] found
nothing but ruin and desolation. Our
cattle and horses were driven of, our
house burned, my father shot down for
defending his property, and my young
sister carried of. My father was still
alive, but could only gasp few words
charging me TO follow and save my
sister. Then he died. l could get no
help-our nearest neighbor lived ten
miles off-and ! had no time TO
lose. | buried my father as we'll
us could; then followed the robbers.
determined to save Alice or kill her
and die with her. / lost the trail In
the snow, but found your camp. I
heard you plan your scout, / felt l
must go with you. SO ! said l belonged
10 your company. This Is tho truth.
so help me God! And oh! as you are
men, with mothers and sisters OF your
own. save my Alicer'
0'Brien brushed his rough hand
across his eyes.
"Av coorse we will, me poor gos-
soon! Howly saints! it's nothin' Terry