The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-03-21

slopes of Long Mountain. Here. to my
intense relief. Jem called halt.
We're all right now" he said. rub
bing his hands. They may look long
time afore they find us here. Now then,
let's build a fire and boil a billy Of tea,
and then We'll take a snooze.f
But what about the blunt2' | asked.
'Pshawr grunted Jem. we're mighty
anxious. It's over there by that water
fall"
The two men now hustled about. Jem.
gathering sticks. while Frank went down
TO the waterfall TO fill the billy. When
he came back / rose TO lend "A hand,
when suddenly 1 felt something loose
on my check and the next moment my
plaster patch fell at my feet. instantly
l flung myself face downward on the
ground-quick enough. as I thought. 10
prevent the men from catching glimpse
Of my altered features.
I'm dead beat" ] muttered. pillow
ing my face on my arms.
Have a pannikin of tea, mate; it'll
fresh yer up suggested Jem.
Don't want none" ! answered with
out raising my head. 4 tell Yer l must
sleep"
They withdrew "A few PAGES. and. as
they bent over a log TO raise ii, l no.
ticed that their heads were very close
together for A moment. | own. how
1
not believe they could have seen my
face Carrying the log between them.
they brought it up and cast IL on the
fire. Then Jem stepped back a pace or
two, stretched his AIMS above his head.
as if about To yawn. and before l could
even realize what he was about. or roll
over TO get out of his way. fell with all
his tremendous weight fat upon me. The
breath went out of my body with
rush; and as 1 lay almost senseless.
Frank stopped dO~yn and drew my arms
out straight. Then bending them back
wards. he rummaged i'm my pockets and.
producing a pair of the very handouts I
had destined for him. clicked them on
my wrists. rapidly undid his waist-stTap
and fastened my legs together. and then.
rising TO his feet, laughed long and
loudly
"Ho no, hor' he crowed. THAT was
a mighty smart trick, my noble. But
we've went one better Gosh, it was
a near thing. though. Ii ] hadn't been
lookin' Yer way when the patch fell off.
we'd "a been done. Get mp. Jem. lie
can't do no harm now. Yer come out
bright and early this mOrnin'. sergeant,
but We was up before yer. Now. wot are
we gOin' ter do with yer, now We've got
yer?'
made no answer. for the outlook was
not very cheerful Still 1 was not with
out hope.
Put a bullet in him" said Jem, who
stood scra itching his great head. as if
hardly able TO realize the singular turn
of events.
Franks thin face puckered with grins.
TOO easy for a spy he said. 4 know
sOmethin' better than that. Lift him up
and set him ag'in that tree. Jem."
Jem did as he was told; and taking
the strap from his companions waist,
Frank passed il round my body and
dT-aK8 he IA q he Ia ok # he
tee. Then he drew Jem off a bit. and
began to speak 10 him in low animated
tones. Whatever il was he said Jem
appeared to enjoy il amazingly, for he
shook with laughter, nOdding his head
constantly as if to denote his perfect
agreement with Franks plan.
That's y l." he said at length.
"Thatll do fust-rate. Come along. Don't
let's lose no time. And then the two
of them ran toward he waterfall. and
passed out of sight.
l will not attempt TO describe my feel
ings They were, IS may be imagined,
somewhat mixed; and after d sharp but
Intellectual struggle with my bonds. l
resigned myself 10 the inevitable. and
quietly waited the return of my captors.
They We're not long in coming. saTryfng
between them what looked like a leath-
er saddle-bag. This they dumped down
in front of me, and Frank again took
up his para BILE.
We've tried yer as we went along
Sergt. Sparks said he and we've
found yer guilty of bein d spy. Now,
spy's usually hanged: but we amt got
no rope. and shOotin's too good for the
likes of yer. So we've made up our
minds TO leave yer where Yer are. and
not soil our hands with yer Yer'l be
food for the crows. that's what yer'll
be. long before anybody finds Yer. And
that's wOt were goin to do with Yer"
L. - clg.
der smiling: and / answered nothing
oh yer may grim said Frank hilari-
ously "Yer'll laugh on the wrong side
of yer mouth before yer'Ve done. / reck-
on. Well since yer won't speak, / Will.
Dyer know what's in this bag? It's the
blunt. Yer come a long way TO get il,
and we amt the men TO keep Yer from
haNin' a sight Of it. Look And plung
ing his hand into the bag, he brought il
out again, full of nuggets and coins,
which ne waved before my face, while
Jem chuckled loudly.
Now" resumed Frank, with a leer
we're goin' ter tear ourselves away.
Happy ter meet sorry ter part: but it
must be done. Can't we take no mes
Sage home for yer2''
YES" l said still smiling and looking
over his shoulder; you can take my
compliments 10 the gentleman behind
YOU. and ask him to put a bullet through
your head if you stir a step At the
same moment Foster. who had come
stealthily up among the trees during
Franks interesting harangue. rOared
out: Throw up your hands boys. I've
got the drop on YOU.
Jem cast one swift glance behind him
and threw up his hands like lightning.
Trapped. by lingo. Up with your
hands, Frank, or you're as good as done
for.
Frank sullenly obeyed. and a moment
later two more foolish-lOoking rascals
YOU could not wish TO see. as they stood
handcuffed side by side.
Thanks. Tom I said. as he released
me. You were in the nick of time.
do hope YOU brought my horse, though,
for l can hardly put one foot before the
other"
Yes; he's a couple Of miles down the
gully" answered Foster.
That's all right. And now. as these
gentlemen have so thoughtfully provided
us with cup of tea, we will drink their
healths and many thanks to them for
saving US the trouble Of carrying up this
bag"
Which. however. considering the con-
tents of the said bag. Foster himself was
very willing to dO.-Chambers' Jour
nal