Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-12

CHAPTER VI.-THE ESCAPE.
Capt. Dalston had not advanced n step
towards Mary before he was IgnOm-
inously rolled over by the hound. Spring.
ing to his feet he furiously drew his
sword.
Mary threw her armssround the neck
of her protector. ''For shame, sir-and
you Il soldier.
"a man who'd be coward enough to
insult a helpless girl would be mean
enough to run the dog through, said
Rowe, stepping forward.
DaIston was abashed by Mary's action,
end By the look of PANIED surprise IN her
clear eyes, but at Rowe IS contemptuous
words he turned upon that individual
with dark and threatening look. Then
Bheathing his sword he stepped aside for
Mary TO pass, throwing into his attitude
and features an appearance of deep hui
initiation.
NOW, sir, - he said haughuly, "to
what troop do you belong?''
"None.
"What brings you here, then?''
''To this partikler spot? You did. To
this Internal country?-still you, in u
sort of way, and l IN glad I've met you.
Shake, - said Rowe, with sudden as
sumption of friendiiness.
Capt. Dalton did not show any enthu-
SIasm and ignored the proffered hand.
fStnl ashamed, eh?' continued
Rowe, with glitter in his eyes that be-
lied the assumed friendliness of his
speech. oval, it must be embarrassing
tu be caught like that. I've letter for
you-ef it's not bin chawed up. All,
here It's
Capt. Dalston read the. letter and
abated something of his haughtiness.
"You had better come with me to
camp
mot yet, captain. I'm hungry, an
there s q fine haunch browning up to the
house. won't invite you in, because
you might feel awkward. Besides, cap
tam, ! have no boss.
al will send a trooper up for you in
half an hour. -
The captain rode away to his men who
had OFF saddled some distance off, and
passing Mary murmured a humble apol-
oEy to which she listened gravely but in
silence.
She waited upon Rowe attentively at
dinner, smiling occasionally at his quaint
remarks, but showing An evident sense
OF sadness, which touched his tough
heart.
"Young lady" he SAID when the
trooper rode no with led horse, 'you
have been good to me. I've felt your
sweet face lowering over me, so TO speak.
when L was weak. Don't think III for
git 1t. Times are rough-this place is
not a safe home for you-ef you ever are
in danEer-ef you ever want d friend TO
help you remember Rowe-Cob Rowe,
nd 70 nd nSt mi
something will have TO give way before q
hair of yer head Is touched. -
Mary gave hun q smile of thanks that
actually brought something like q flush
to his hollow cheeks.
al will remember yoI,' she said,
my friends are not many.
Rowe looked ferociously rs he mounted
the spare horse; and startled the trooper
by his fierce ejaculation-''B God! if
any one harms that gal, I'll kill HIM. -
Capt. Dnlston's troops of irregular
horse filed away in long column from
Kopje Allen across the grass veldt. The
captain called Rowe TO his side and the
latter explained as much OF his mission
as he thought necessary. The captain
listened HIthout comment, but looked
out of the corner of his eyes at his COM
panion, With suspicion, and smiled once
or twice rather grimly.
''If L understand Alright, he said
ooldlY, "my father for reasons of
his own, with which l have nothing to
do, wishes you to be near Capt. Blaine.''
''He does, in your interest.
Dalston waved his hand in dissent. al
am no friend of Capt. Blaine, but will
endeavcr to secure you place i'll his
troop. You san then do as you like, but
understand Tor once aud all, l am not
responsible for this absurd ana paltry
scheme, nor will l be bound by my
fathers promises. -
With that he dismissed the subject,
leaving Rowe TO his me1itatlons, which
were not altogether encouraging, as re-
CARDS the success of his mission. 81
guess - he unused, eff Capt. Dalston
don't care more N u tinker's cuss for the
will, l lay as well let things slide.
There s sc-ne sand in the man after all ,
or mebbe he's lying low, and playing a
bluff game to throw me off my guard
The signs of the near vicinity of the
camp drove these thoughts from his
mind, and he gave his attention TO the
movement of men and beasts.
Scattered about, over rounded hill and
shallow valley, were herds of oxen, lean
wiry ponies, cropping at long gray grass,
slightly tinsed with red.
On points of vantage, beyond the
grazing limit, were small groups of
mounted men. doing cattle guard, and |
beyond them again were pickets. In be- |
tween roamed men on foot, soldiers in
red coats and pith helmets, irregular |
troops in corluroys and "smashsrs - |
friendly natives clad in airy costume of |
q strip of skin, returning from washing |
clothes, or engaged in doing nothing
Down the gentle slope of q distant |
ridge und o sinuous black line, mark
ing troop of horse on the return from |
accommodating or foragiug.
The lowing of q disconnected OK, the |
neighipg of horse from time to time |
sounded clearly above the continuous low |
from thousands of men. Then |
loud and clear. with stirring note