The Red Cloud chief., 1895-03-08
CHAPTER XIX.
IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH.

CHAPTER XIX.
IN n SHADOW OF DEATH.
Once inside his tent Colonel Maynard
said:
Corporal, I want you to get me the
uniform Of a private soldier. You must
do 30 without exciting suspicion"
"Oi don't know how OH do IL, colo.
mel, without goin back to me own
camp"
II fear that will take too long. Can't
you steal one from one OF tho tents near
by?"
"Oi moight DO able to do It, and Oh
might spend tho whole night tryin.
Oi can get ono at me camp certain"
II would take your jacket. but I
want your assistance. There's no other
way but for you to 20 to your camp"
Colonel. OH ride hard"
ride, and remember that every mo-
ment is worth years ut any other time"
Ratigan lost no time in mounting and
was soon galloping Oh his way. Once
out Of the camp from which no started
no found no guards to pass and was able
to drive his horse to the utmost. The
night before no had chased the woman
whom he had then known as Betsy
Baggs in q mad race to capture her. Now
he was tearing along in q mad race to
ave her from the consequences Of his
capture. Past woods and waters few
the corporal, wei bridges and hills,
through hollows and rivulets. till he
came to his own camp. There no at
once sought the quarters OF Private Elan
agan.
Flanagan" he cried. shaking the
private, Eyer w%antedr'
what is it, corporal?"
LET me take yer clothes and ask
no questions"
Take 'em. And divil a question
will Oi ask except what 20 do DO wantin
'em for"
Ratigan seized tho bundle, and, with
an injunction to Flanagan to keep his
mouth shut IL he wanted to save him.
self from future trials, mounted his
horse md was again flying over tho
ground back to Colonel Maynard head
quarters.
II was now the small hours Of the
night. Tho 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 n race between life and death.
go on, 20 beast!' cried the corpo.
raj. $50 on. me darlin. Stretch yer
cussed legs, for l don't care IL 70 kill
yersi!f II 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 20 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 tho corporal ~dismounted
at the camp he rode for, and in a mo.
ment was in Colonel Maynard's tent.
The corporal started back. A man
stood there whom he did not recognize
for q few moments as Colonel Maynard.
He had no beard, while the colonel haG
had q 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, quickP'
The corporal handed him the bundle
aud Maynard lost no time in gettini
into them.
Corporal" said the colonel, "lot m,
, explain what I AIN about to do. ! know
something OF the blood that flows il
the veins Of Caroline Fitz Hugh. Sh
will never accept her life at the price
intend to ply 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 20
:. understand"
, II do, colonel. She would chids II
II sho knew l was doing the same"
;, "While you have been away I hnv
: placed three horses in the wood yonder
II see, colonel"
Corporal Ratigan, every nan hf
= his own part in life to perform. TIL
distinctive feature in mine seems to /
, to decide quickly between conflict J
!, duties. ! am going to violate q trust,
y = perform a sacred obligation. If you W,
aid me, follow me-"
!, Taking up a slip Of paper lying 4
; his camp cot, OH which he had writ,
- al order, the two left the tent. TIL
. were challenged by the sentry OH Do,
!" but giving the countersign proceedt
=, till they We're again challenged by t
ct guard &c the tempcra prison. 4
r the colonel advanced and gave the CO,
10 tersign and passed into the house,
q The saruaaut In chorco ,~ot tlos