Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-12-21
CHAPTER XIII.-CoNTINUED
BY cHAUNcY c. HoTcHKIsS

CHAPTER RXIII.-CoNTINUED.
Ames pushed me toward the opening, and
I squeezed through, feeling solid boards un-
der my feet, and being greeted by such a
strong smell of old hay that l might have
been in the heart of au ancient rick. And
this proved to be the case, for 1 soon heard
the story of this hole of refuge. 1t had been
made inside the barn and beneath the NOW,
and was now scantily covered with the lit
tie hay the British had habit of leaving
farmers to take the curse from their whole
sale robbery. There was no entrance to this
concealed den save the loosened board, and
all cracks and openings being stuffed with
wisps, from the outside this part of the
building seemed bursting from fullness.
Twas the finest masking of retreat that
could be imagined, and here one might lie
and escape hanging (f he ventured not
abroad, though there would be starvation
to grapple with, and no small danger of
smothering, for the heat was vile, the air
heavy, and there was no means of ventila-
tion.
My companion followed me into this in
closure. quickly readjusting the board, and,
as though familiar with the place, struck his
steel and got light in pierced tin lantern,
which he set on the end of an upturned log
serving as a table, on the top of which lay
scrap OF paper.
This he seized, and, bending low to the
glimmer, read the contents while took in
the details of the queer apartment. The
rough boards of the room were barren of
everything save a rifle hanging on a nail,
and the wisps OF hay that penetrated each
crevice from the NOW without. A heap of
small arms lay in one corner; in another was
q sleeping bunk with straw at the foot of
yIyhi hun Ia cd
rs l afterward found, with provisions to be
used in the extremity of being driven to this
rereat for protracted stay. 1t was hiding
place pure and simple, and not one to be de-
Tended save by secrecy, for brand touched
TO any part of the structure would reduce it
to ashes in less than an hour,
"'Tis all right" said Ames, raising his
head as | finished my brief survey. eve
are not bound to this hole yet. We may go
to the house and sleep like modern Chris.
tians for once more at least. Come!"
Distinguishing the light, he loosened the
board. and we passed out, the night air COM
ing to the lungs like a cooling balm after
the heat and closeness of the contracted
den.
There is little danger for the next few
hours" he whispered as we made a straight
line for the house The redcoats were here
this noon and searched the place, but my
the boy was then in the barn. They will
hardly try here again until they have beaten
up other quarters. 'Iis a sorry outlook,
Thorndyke! Have you not in your head a
way off this island? Think hard, man! We
must both think hard. and then take
chances, however desperate. You are will
ing that we pull together?" he concluded in.
terrogatively.
In his earnestness he dropped his assumed
manner of speech, and there was an appeal
in his voice that made me think it was not
for himself he was most anxious However,
/ could give him no comfort only saying
that | had small head for thought until
could clear my brains with sleep, but that if
taken, though it were barren of gain, /
would send some OF the enemy ahead of us
to announce our coming. Then | laid my
hand in his and swore | would stand by
him, and his brother, too, if need be Though
such swearing seemed useless in the face of
matters, telling him | would be but an un-
grateful brute to desert him after he had
lost his chance for help at the tavern by
giving his hand in my behalf.
We had halted on our way, and in the
darkness we came to the agreement each to
stand by the other so long as chance to
help remained. Twas a compact hurriedly
thought of and hurriedly made, but there,
Qnuef Lne stars dnnIy showing overhead,
was completed bond that failed not.
Twas made through necessity and became
strengthened by love. Not conceived in an
excess of happiness nor backed by the
exuberance or fictitious generosity of strong
drink, not even expected to extend beyond
the present period of danger, it held through
life like an invisible chain.
There was no delay in getting into the
house. Though every window l could see
was closed by solid wooden shutters, the
back door stood wide for entry and | soon
found myself in what was probably the
kitchen. 1t was pitch black within, but
Ames knew his whereabouts, and /, with
my hand on his shoulder followed him
through this room into a hall and up a
fight of stairs. At the top mans voice
broke out with:
"Who's there?"
"Seven!" spoke Ames in return.
"Fivci" was the answer.
"Wen enough! And I have a friend"
s&id my companion. And without more
psrley he went ahead and up more stairs,
opening trap or hatch, and landing in the
garret at last, where he struck light.
The room was undivided, and took in the
entire ground plan of the house. So large
vas it that the single candle failed to clear
Hke gloom from the corners, and made the