The Red Cloud chief., 1894-02-02

III Y WIN 100 f
and ready for n start. The greeting
between the lovers was warm but brief,
for minutes were precious, and there
was much to be done.
1--WE must make our start at once"
said jefferson Hope, speaking in a low
but r~csolute voice, like one who
realizes the greatness of the peril. but
has stecled his heart To meet II. 1.-THE
front and back entrances are watched,
but with caution we may get away
through the side window and across
the fields. Once on the road, we are
only two miles from the ravine where
the horses are waiting. by daybreak
we should DO half way through the
mountains"
"What II we are stopped2" asked
Terrier.
Hope slapped the revolver butt which
protruded from the front of his tunic.
IF they are too many for us we shall
take two or three of them with u.s." he
said with n sinister smile.
The lights inside the house had all
been extinguishcd, and from the dark
ened window Ferrier pecrcd over the
fields which had been his own, and
which he. was now about to aban-
don forever. lie had long nerved him
self to the sacrifice, however, and the
thought of the honor and happiness
of his daughter outweighed any regret
Mt his ruined fortunes. All looked SO
peaceful and happy, the rustling trees
and the broad, silent stretch Of grain
land, that it was difficult TO realize
that the spirit of murder lurkcd
through il all. Yet the white face and
set expression Of the young hunter
showed that in his approach to the
house he had seen enough to satisfy
him upon that head.
Ferrier carried the bag of gold and
notes, Jefferson Hope had the scanty
provisions and water, while Lucy had
the small bundle containing a few OF
her more valued possessions. Opening
the window very slowly and carefully,
they waited until a dark cloud had
somewhat obscurcd the night, and
then n by one passed through into
the little garden. With bated breath
and crouching figures they stumbled
across it and gained the shelter Of the
hedge. which they skirted until they
came to the gap which opened into the
corr field. They had just reached this
point when the young nan seized his
two companions and dragged them
down into the shadow, where they lay
silent and trembling.
1t was as well that his prairie train
ing had given Jefferson Hope the ear
of a lynx. Tie. and his friends ha
hardly crouched down before the me
ancholy hooting of a mountain ow
. was heard within n few yards of them
which was Immediately answered b,
another boot ut a small distance. A
) the same moment n vague, shadow
figure emerged from the gap for whicI
? they had been making, and uttered tn
p~laintive signal cry again, on which
second man appeared out Of the OF
5 scurity.
Tomorrow ut midnight" said tn
first, who appeared to be in authority
Q "Whcn the w%hippoorwill calls thre
Q times"
st is we'll" returned the other
Q "Shall I tell Brother Drebber?"
Q "PasS 1t on to him, and from him I
Q the others. Nine to seven!"
"Seven to five!" repeated the othel
D and the two figures fitted away /
o different directions. Their concludin
t wURds had evidently been some form
sign and countersign. The instaI
!, that their footsteps had died away i
the distance, jefferson Hope sprang (
{ his feet, and, helping his companion
h through the gap, led the way aero.
the fields at full speed, supporting IN
t half-carrying the girl when he
t strength appeared to fail her.
S "1lurry on! hurry on" he gaspc
from time to time. 1--WE are throug
Q the line of sentinels. Everything d'
pends on speed. Hurry on!"
2 ITO be continually