Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-22
CHAPTER XI.

Bouton made known his intentions to
his prisoners, informing them Of the
charge and his intention to take DR..
Blanchard back to West Virginia for
trial. The doctor tore up the warrant
in his face, and Indignantly denied the
charge.
The doctor deemed an explanation
duo TO those about him, and told the
story Of his life. With much shrewd-
ness he guessed Mt the plot in which
Lawyer Bliss and his sons were SO deep
ly Interested. When the doctor had I'm
ished, sturdy John Clyde, Us spokesman
for the immigrants. said:
I'VE don't need your explanation,
doctor, TO convince us of your inno-
cence. We believe in you and are ready
TO fight for you, though VIC one and all
regret that our fighting will do no good
Mt this time. But we can say this-we
do not propose 10 leave here till this
thing IL settled. :"
When DIR. blanchard became calmer,
he saw that resistance would be useless,
and he reasoned. that Bouton would not
hesitate TO enforce his command Draw
ing Alice and Clara to one side he said:
My children, there is nothing left
but to submit to these men. Let MS go
with them. and trust to heaven to shield
us from the harm they contemplate.
Eve will go with you. father" said
Alice, with her arms about his neck
1--WE could not, would not remain back.
Keep good heart and succor will come.
have faith in Louis Kyle. !"
''As l have" replied tho doctor
"But let US be getting ready"
Believing that the outlaws would not
dare D. take them within reach of the
law. and hoping that rescue would
soon come, the doctor decided to leave
all his effects not needed for Immediate
use in tho care Of John Clyde Clyde
and his companions having made up
their minds to remain where they were
till the doctors troubles We're over, ut
once began preparations for perma-
ncnt camp. Promptly n: noon Bouton
came over. leading two saddle horses.
Patch following with pack mule in
tended to carry the outfit" Of the
Young ladies'.
"Doctor." he said, you can ride
your cwn horse for the present. Come
we are waiting for you"
The parting Of the doctor and his
daughters from the immigrants was sad
in the extreme. Tho women chung to
Alice and Clara. and the men could not
check their tears as they held the old
mans hand. John Clyde helped Alice
and Clara to mount, hands We're waved
In adicu. and the march to an unknown
destination began. All Boutou's men
were in the saddle and waiting. Henry
Kyle. pale and reticent, was at the rear
Of the linr. wherc the pack animals were
In reaaincsS The prispnerA for snch
they were, were placed in the center Of
tho line The cavalcade headed for the
south and soon wound out Of the valley
Of tho Blue Water.
Sim Bliss and his brother Tom, after
the exultation over their success had sub
sided. began to ask themselves how their
plans had been furthered and what re
manned TO BE- done for their perfection.
While the Bliss brothers were discussing
che situation Bouton's brain was MOI
idle. He rode apart from his men, his
head bowed and the reins dangling
from the neck Of his horse He had tht
habit peculiar to men who live much In
solitude Of thinking aloud. and ON thil
occasion his thoughts ran something
after this fashion:
1.-THE Kyles and the Weldons are one
There can be no doubt about that
this dog. Sim Bliss. told me the truth
and ! think he did-the Kyles aEe tn
ba{ru IN that en4afa and n fhNv mt I,