Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-12-06

and he had yet two or three hours to reach
his post and get the militia ready to re-
ceIVe them.
1t is needless to say he was almost mad
with anxiety. Several times he was on
the point Of bursting all bounds OF pro
priety and rushing headlOng through
every obstacle at all hazards but his
better judgment controlled him, and he
listened and watched until the dark forms
had gone down the raVine.
How many there were of them he did
not know. He saw but four, and was not
even certain he had seen so many, for the
shadows were very indistinct. When they
were gone he touched his companion s arm
and babe him rise.
Where now, Grif?" asked Jack.
I'VE Will follow this ridge for some dis
tance. as it leads in the direction of the
fort
"AII right, Griff, but take kesr ye don't
tumble into the ditch; it's dark as a stack
O. black cats along here.
shall carefully feel my way with my
sword said the officer, who took the
lead,
They could travel but slowly at best,
and Griffith, having missed his footing
fell into one of the bitches, so tanning
his knee that for a few moments he was
compelled to sit and hold it between his
hands.
They were again on the march, however,
although Griffith was compelled to limp
slowly along, when they heard the heavy
tramp of feet on their advance.
-Grih, dye hear that?" asked Jack.
Yes"
what dye make ont O. it2"
"The party of armed men who passed
us are on their return, said Captain AL
ton, after listening moment.
Why are they comm backf"
Il don't know cannot understand It. -
so h, ,sr-g+ 80
way?"
mo, they are coming down the raVine,
Jack, said Griffith, considerably puz-
lied. Here, let US lay down behind
these rocks and listen to them as they 90
by. Maybe We can catch something as
they go along. Look sharp; don't let a
single thing escape, but don't let them
get glimpse of you,
Have no fears o. that, said Jack
I've got my eyes peeled, an eff you say,
kin jist knock over them fellers fast as
they come along"
NO, no; by no means. Don't try that
lay low-whist-here they come.
All was quiet save the tramping of feet
over stones. Not a murmur came from
that dark line of shadows as it filed down
the rRVine, stumbling, shamblIng, and
staggering along over the uneven ground.
Their march seemed anything but mill
tary, and yet Griffith Alton thought that
they might possibly be marines who were
unRccustomed to travelling on land.
1t took some time to get by, and then,
with his companion at his heels, he
crossed the ravine and proceeded through
a thick forest, intending to cut across a
bit of headland and get into the village
sooner.
Jack. you know the way thoroughly,
do you not?" he asked.
"Oh, yes; I could go it blindfolded, Z"
Jack answered.
We'll, take the lead and let US get
there as soon as possible.
All right, sir; come on, said Jack,
leading the way. Eff ye say trot. trOt
it is.
mo, not quite so fast, and little
more cautious, Jack, answered the
Captain, keeping pace with him. al
though we seem to have the enemy
at our backs, there may be a struggling
party yet in front.
Don't We be afeared, Griff, that I won't
keep my eyes peeled, said the veteran,
who kept stalking along with giant
strides over the rocks and through the
woods.
Keep your ears open, too, Jack"
He stopped so suddenly that Captain
Alton almost ran against him. From the
direction of the fort there came two re-
ports in quick succession.
Crit, they're at it, said the black
smith.
attack there would be more firing. But
there was not another shot fired, and
Griffith came to the conclusion that there
must have been more spies in the camp.
Now that it's too late, he said in an
undertone, I'VE know beyond doubt that
The deserter of the XenOphon issnOt a
spy"
Jack, who had been loudest in his de-
nunciatiOn of the deserters, made no an
swer. After waiting a reasonable length
of time they again started through the
woods to the fort. Both were silent, and
there was a burning anxiety on the part
of our hero to reacn his destination. The
fort, the artillery, the people left in his
charge, the trust confided to him by the
Government, and greatest Of all, his anX-
iety for that lovely being who was more
than life to him, seemed to fire his nerves
with an Impotence wholly unendurab bic.
AS they were hurriedly tEamping
through the woods, his quick ear caught
the sound Of fOots4sEs again coming to-
ward them.
Jack, stop.
Eyes, Griff, Z hear it, said the black
smith, hating. Il guess it's another
LAY low and let them pass"
CrCuched behind giant oaks the Amer
leans waited and listened. On toward
them, passing within a dozen PAGES, came
a small party of men. Whether there
were two, three, or a dozen, they could
not exactly tell, but they we're travelling
in great hurry and seemed bearing {
heavy burden.
did they ye, Luke?" one asked.
No"
Captain Alton at once came to the con
clusIOn that some one of the marines had
been wounded and they we're carrying
him away.
His first impulse was to charge them
! but then he remembered that there were
/ others near, perhaps near enough to pre-
! vent his accomplishing his purpose and
/ to endanger his return to the fort. His
anxiety to reach the village he had beer
so foolish to leave Overcame every otheI