The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-06-27

ed the ridge they left the road and turn
ed northward Soon after they reached
camp.
CHAPTER XIX.
| IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
Once inside his tent Colonel Maynard
said:
Corporal, want you to get me the
uniform Of private soldier. You must
do so without exciting suspicion"
"Oi don't know how Oi'll do it, colo
mel, without goin back to me own
camp"
II fear that will take too long. Can't
you steal one from one of the tents near
by?"
''Oi moight be able to do it, and Oh
might spend the whole night tryin.
Oh can get one at me camp certain"
II would take your jacket, but
want your assistance. There's no other
way but for you to go to your camp"
Colonel, Oil ride hard. -
ride, and remember that every mo-
ment is worth years at any other time A."
Ratigan lost no time in mounting and
was soon galloping on his way. Once
out Of the camp from which he started
he found no guards to pass and was able
to drive his horse to the utmost. The
night before he had chased the woman
whom he had then known as Betsy
Baggs in mad race to capture her. Now
he was tearing along in mad race to
save her from the consequences of his
capture. Past woods and waters flew
the corporal, over bridges and hills,
through hollows and rivulets, till he
came to his own camp. There he at
once sought the quarters of Private Elan
agan.
Flanagan, he cried, shaking the
private, Eyer wanted!'
''What is it, corporal?"
LET me take yer clothes and ask
no questions.
'"Take 'em. And divil a question
will Oh ask except what ye do be wantin
'em for. -
Ratigan seized the bundle, and, with
an injunction to Flanagan to keep his
mouth shut if he wanted to save him
self from future trials, mounted his
horse and was again flying over the
ground back to Colonel Maynard head
quarters.
It was now the small hours of the
night. The corporal cast his eye to the
east and saw faint streak of white
light there. Digging his spurs into his
beasts TANKS and urging him with his
voice at the same time, rider and horse
sped on in race between life and death.
go on, ye beastp' cried the corpo-
raj go on, me darlin. Stretch yer
cussed legs, for I don't care if ye kill
yersif if we lose no time. What's yer
loife compared with hers? On with ye,
me beauty! Win the race with the sun
that is shown his light there, and
Oil worship ye forever. -
With such contradictory and incohe-
rent phrases Ratigan urged his horse
till he could go no faster: Again did
hills, wales, woods, waters, fences fly
by till at last the corporal disnounted
at the camp he rode for, and in mo-
ment was in Colonel Maynard's tent.
The corporal started back. 4 man
stood there whom he did not recognize
for few moments as Colonel Maynard.
He had no beard, while the colonel had
had heavy one. His hair and eyebrows
were black, while the colonel's were
light, and the hair which had hung be-
low his hat in short curls was now crop
ped.
"Give me the clothes, quickv'
L
and Maynard lost no time in getting
into them
Corporal, said the colonel, ''let me
explain what am about to do. I know
something Of the blood that flows in
the veins Of Caroline Fitz Hugh. She
will never accept her life at the price
intend to pay for it. She must not know
that intend to save her by violating
trust, by mourning my own downfall,
or she will not leave her Jail. DO you
understands
II do, colonel She would chide me
il she knew was doing the same.
''While you have been away have
placed three horses in the wood yonder. -
Il see, colonel
corporal hat1gan, every man has
his own part in life to perform. The
distinctive feature in mine seems to be
to decide quickly between conflicting
duties am going to violate trust, to
perform sacred obligation. If you will
aid me, follow me-"
Taking up slip Of paper lying on
his camp cot, on which he had written
IN order, the two left the tent. They
were challenged by the sentry ON post,
but giving the countersign proceeded
till they were again challenged by the
guard at the temporary prison. There
the colonel advanced and gave the coun-
tersign and passed into the house.
The sergeant in charge met them and
asked what they wanted. The colonel
handed him the paper he had brought
with him. 1t was an order for the per-
son Of the prisoner. The place was only