Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-12-01

possessed the secret, but it was evident
that it had been talked OF to others.
These four men, outlaws though they
were, and probably as brave as that
class of men usually are, would not have
penetrated into the Indian country thus
far with no stronger force had not u val
liable stake depended.
So the female was girl and pris-
oner2
If q prisoner, then there must have
been an act of violence to make her so.
Perhaps it was Bess! The father shiv-
cred at the thought and the thought
would have led him to do some desper-
ate thing had it not been put away
almost Immediately. The prisoner
raised her head and looked around. and
it was face he had never seen before
It betrayed anxiety and suffering, and
he instantly resolved that he would take
any risk TO help
The sun was now hidden behind the
mountain and it was twilight around
the campfire. The men sat smoking or
thinking for quarter of an hour with
out a word, ard then one of them rose
and disappeared. Ten minutes later
he returned with bag of provisions and
bottle of whisky, and Bob said
YES, we might as well hev u bite
now rs any other time. Give the gal
her share. If she's still too mulish to
eat let her throw it away"
The man carried some bread and meat
to the girl, but she gave him no heed.
More wood was thrown on the fire, the
| bottle passed from hand to hands and
| by the time darkness had settled down
the four renegadcs were in good spirits
| and seemingly good naturcd.
Then Harkins could no longer see the
| girl, though perhaps those at the fire
had her in view.
Here was Il new and q double danger,
| he reflected as lie carefully crept away.
| 1t was not enough that the reneyades had
come for the sold, but they We're plot
ting against the wagon train and would
not stop at murder. 1t was clearly his
duty to reach the train as soon as posi-
bic and warn ms companions of the pres
ence and designs of these inirudeis.
Darkness had come on, but he knew The
general direction Of camp and hoped to
be able to reach it some time during the
night.
But what of the prisoner? Under the
circumstances not more than one man
in a thousand would have done more
than to wish that he could help her
Harkins Was that one man. He had
been strangely drawn to nor, and hcl
situation aroused all his sylnpathies
lie determined to attempt her rescue
even at the peril Of ms life. He drew
away from the mass of rock, strapped
his rifle to his back, and then crept over
the rough ground on hands and knees
moving to flank ,he party on the right.
1t was cough and dangerous route
leading over great masses Of rock, unde'
thick pines and across seams riffs, bu
he moved with care until we'll in III
rear OF the camp.
Then his route was down the side o
the mountain until all at once he cam
upon the wagon. 1t had been pulled u
out of the valley 20 be hidden by tn
trees. The horses ne could not see, the,
having been lariated out at some spo
where there WAS grazing.
Looking up at the campfire from III
wagon the Englishnan could see til
four 1eIrgalca playing cards by III
blaze. Between MIN and them was III
girl. lie he,tated only iong enough t
get his hearings and then began CREEP
lM% upward. He felt now that more dc
pended on the girl than himself. if sh
WAS asleep she might scream ont as Ii