The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1896-10-22

of sloop owned by the brothers, with
an eye 90 the possibility of opening a
way of retreat by sea in case his pres.
ont stronghold became untenable.
les, that seemed TO be the most reason
able explanation, although, so far as I
Knew, Lamar was not in the slightest
danger of discovery by his enemies
such a precaution at that time az.
peared to be about as necessary as q
shipment of antidotes for frost-bite to
the Hottentots.
Sleeping over the matter gave me no
fresh light upon il, nor was the wiser
for my pains for many n day there.
after; but at last chance, the much ex.
planning, furnished the clew.
i had tarried at the house on the
knoll unusually late that afternoon,
and the sun was setting as began my
walk homeward. 1t had been a clear,
pleasant day, with good deal of
warmth in the sunshine, although
autumn was now far advanced; but as
the evening came on the air grew chilly
and the brisk off-shore breeze tool, on
II touch of the approaching winter.
With turned-up coat-collar and hands
buried in my pockets, l stepped out
briskly on the tramp homeward, rather
econciled at the moment TO the slen.
derness of practice which guaranteed
me an undisturbcd evening. With book
and pipe and an easy-chair, and q
bright fire, several hours could DO
passed very delightfully."-, with the stiff
breeze whistling through the tree-tops
and signaling warnings TO good folk
within doors to keep snugly under GOV.
er. just at this point in my reflections
there came a fierce gust which almost
sent me staggering back. My hat, torn
from my head, went seaward, spinning
like a top in what might have been a
baby whirlwind. l ran after it at my
best gait, sometimes losing ground and
sometimes gaining, only to see the
gust with impish perversity sweep IL
from my very grasp. Then my toe
caught in something, and down went
in heap. AS j regained my feet the
hat, with fight as clumsy as that OF
a hen clearing barn-yard fence
Topped across saltwater creek and
dropped upon the opposite bank. The
tide was at the ebb, and the stream
was neither broad nor deep. Gather
ing such momentum as / could, rap
to the edge and gave vigorous leap
My feet struck the farther bank, but
slipped in the soft mud, and once more
] measured my length. sprawling this
time, however, half in the water and
half on shore. In the worst of tenn
pers | scrambled out of the slime.
picked up the runaway hat, and then
almost dropped it again in SURPRISE;
Tor right before me was a wire. strung
as neatly as any telegraph line, and sup
ported by posts about u foot in height
The chase had carried me into the
marsh to the south of Lamar's house,
toward which the wire extended in
enc direction. Where was the other
end of it? That query could have
but one answer - Johnson's cottage,
the only habitation in that quarter.
In the course of the next days visit
to Lamar 4 told him of my accidental
discovery.
1T is trifle, small continuance
TO summon Johnson" said he, quietly.
He is useful in many ways; he may
be more useful still in others. He is
stout fellow and brave"
Then you fear-?"
"Iou have the saying" he answered.
with "A shrug of his shoulders: "'In
time of peace prepare for war;"