Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-31

II am gtd0 10 ncet Dob, my DoD.'
1t was several days before the young
physician who had rescued Dan Riggs
by from the waters Of Drywood would
permit him to leave the room.
you are my first patient" he said to
Dan with smile, land am too jeal-
Gus of my reputation as a physician to
allow you to make yourself worse by
going out before you are in a condition
to do so safely. You have had narrow
escape from an attack of brain fever"
This had been said in answer to Dams
appeal to DO allowed to return to Fort
Scott.
Dan found in the young physician a
most agreeable companion, and warm
friendship sprang up between tho two.
1t filled Dan with anxiety as he thought
Of how matters might be going at the
Fort, That the plotters would he busily
at work in carrying ont their evil plans
no felt sure, and the thought worried
him more than he could express.
The letter to Captain Parker given
him by the paynaster was still safe in
his breast pocket, but the money he had
received was missing. On paying for
his breakfast at the restaurant on the
morning of his abduction he had been
compelled to have the fifty dollar bill
changed. He had placed the change in
his pocketbOol which he carried in his
trousers pocket, but row he found that
pocketbool and all was gone, but whether
it had been taken from him by his alb
ductors while he was unconscious in the
carriage or had been dropped from his
pocket while in the stream, he could not
tell.
Its gone at any rate" thought Dan,
land its no use to fret over it..
81 have not told you why am so
anxious to get to Fort Scott" said Dan
one evening when he was able to sit up.
"You have business there that needs
your attention | suppose" replied the
young physician. IL think you will be
able to travel By tomorrow and I'll take
you up to the Fort"
THANK you" responded Dan. "You
are right / have got business at the
Fort, and very important at that.
He then gave an account Of the two
strangers stopping ut the inn-of his
overhearing their plot to defraud somo
one of an estate. He then related his
adventure with the robbers; his capture
by then. and Imprisonment III the under
grOu.d chamber. Of the strangers visit
to tue zone woman at the cabin and Of
his discovery that the parties to be de-
frHuied We're himself and mother; of
his escape from the cabin and arrival at
Fort Scott; pt MS abduction by the plot
ters and tha accident IN the DrywoOl
ford winch came so near costing him his
life.
You know the rest, he said in con-
clusion. The plotters are evidently IN
Scott at this moment endeavoring to
carry their plans into execution, so you
can understand why am so impatient"
Oliver BrOWn gave vent to Il prolonged
whistle
1t beats anything | ever heard out
side oi a book, he said in astoMl5hncnt
"Why didn't you tell me this before,
and I'd have got some one to stay with
you and would have gone to the Fort to
look after matters for you:"
DO You think tomorrow will be too
late:" asked Dan in an anxious tone.
"Wo can't tell, though hardly think
So 1t requires time to transact business
of that kind, and it may be that they
viii be afraid to proceed with their
plans, now that yOu have escaped them.
That might lSe the case if they should
think | had escaped" remarked Dan;
but am convinced that they think me
dead, else they would have made some
attempt to recapture me-"
THAT places the matter in different
light" answered the young physician.
Il think we had better start for the Fort
as soon as it is light tomorrow
"You are right" answered Dan. 81
am anxious to be off. There is no tell
ing what may happen"
1t was only "A little after eight O'clock
on the following morning when Dan and
his new found friend drove into Fort
Scott Dan proceeded directly to the
military barracks, where he found Cap
tain Parker.
When Dan presented the letter given
him by the paymaster the captain shook
hands warmly with the youth,
II am glad to meet you, my boy" he
said cordially. This letter tells me that
you have had some most dangerous ad-
ventures with the guerrilla robbers and
rendered some valuable service to the
paymaster and his escort"
Il have certainly passed through some
few dangers and had some narrow es-
capes, responded Dan, "but I'm afraid
my services to the paymaster were hard
~ as great as you seem to think"
"You must let others be the judge OF
that" replied the captain. Il am very
glad you called on me and hope you'll
remain as my guest at the barracks dur
ing your stay at tho fort"
Thank YOU" responded Dan. 81 am
only here for n brief stay and have some
important matters TO look after, | am
unacquainted with any one III the city,
and if you would give me your assist
ance in some business matters III be
greatly obliged"
"a am only too glad to be of service to
you" replied the captain
Thank YOU" said Dan. 'I'll first &C