St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1895-03-16
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CHAPTER xL-CoNrrNUED.

Ben did not know the country any
better than did Hendricks. They took
TO the woods and went north, Hem
bricks and Fenring riding on either
side of the captain, and Ben following
at some distance behind.
Ttwas some time before they reached
an open country, and, rough as it was,
they galloped away and soon left Ben
far out OF sight.
..You are going to the Laran house, !"
said Fenning, who had recovered his
spirits.
s'Yes,'' replied Hendricks. "Have
you OWNED the rest?"
"No.f
"Wait, hardly know myself"
It was ten o'clock when the party
having toiled slowly up o long accliy-
ity, came out upon a wooded brow OF
the hill looking eastward. It was q
magnificent stretch of country and 1t
was radiant with the morning light.
Hendricks dismounted and looked
through his glass.
IF you follow the top of that stone
ledge, to the second green line OF hills
and look between those two rounded
knolls, just under that white cloud
that hangs down like teat-you viii
see the Laran chimney" And Hem
bricks handed the glass to Fenning.
YES, can see It," said Fenning.
How far is it?"
Approximately four miles and a half.
We can get within pistol shot of the
house from this direction. I know
every turn in the way. Wen wait here
for Ben, get bite and drink, take
the extra horse and leave him here to
wait for us"
It was eleven o'clock before Ben
came up and the captain was the most
inpatient of the party, but Hendricks
beguiled the time in telling Fenning
some of his earlier experiences In the
place and Fenning's remark as the mar
rative ended was: "Wel1, wouldn't
doubt that woman either. But you
never can tell what woman will dc"
At half-past eleven, Hendricks and
Fenning, with the captain between
them, set off In the direction of the
Laran house, Hendricks leading the
extra horse.
This part of the way was by all
odds the most difficult of any. As
they descended into the valley they
had to skirt prineval morass, It's
pools inhabited by millions of water
fowl. But Hendricks knowledge of
the country enabled him to pick his
way through the labyrinth and about
two o'clock, he said. as he reached an
almost impenetrable covert and dis
mounted: 'tDo you know where you
are?''
Fenning looked about him and shook
his head.
But the captain recognized the place.
Damning his eyes, he remarked that
he and Endicott had been there hun
dred times.
$50 has Miss Endicott," said Hen
bricks, "and now that you are here /
hope she will come again"
Hendricks fastened his horse and
beckoned to Fenning, who stepped
aside out of sight of the captain.
A few PAGES away and covered with
brambles there was smooth crown of
rock. Hendricks parted the brush, got
down on his knees and searched a
moment with his hand. He then took
o small stick and dug the dead leaves
out OF q depression In the rock and put
his ear to the spot.
.sJust listen there q moment. he
said to Fenning as he got up.
ssWhat is tt?'' asked Fenning who
had put his ear down to the hole.
sits the dynamo running under
meath. It's directly under our feet ]
bored that hole nearly two years ago
to see how thick the crust was. In all
I made about fifty of them, but Laport
stopped most OF them because they
leaked.
I'VE are then within two hundred
feet of the house," said Fenning, with
establishment
.sWe are within twenty feet Of the
steel fence. You can touch 1t If you go
through that brush; SO speak softly.
It lis the widest spot in the neighbor-
hood, ard to reach us the inmates must
come round from the entrance. There
is q corner of the road visible from that
opening. I'm going to ask you to
watch 1t. while give the captain his
Instructions.
Fenning took his place ait the open
ing, and almost Immediately said:
There's somebody now
Hendricks quickly used his glass.
ITS Mrs. Hendricks and Calicot, Z he
said. They are going for ride, and
wiz keep to the road. There's only
three Of them left, and one Of them is