Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-08-23
CHAPTER XIII. CONTINUED.
- " aal.3 ~ Ny1ys-
BY cHAUNcY e. HOTcnklsS
1891, BY D. Appleton 4 Co Al
@J5E rights reserved

tnls proved to be the case, for soon heard
the story of this hole ofrefnge. It had been
made inside the barn and beneath the NOV,
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. !; I
Twas the finest masking of a retreat that
could be imagined, and here one might lie
and escape hanging (if he ssventured not
abPoad), though there would be starvation
to grapple with, and no small danger of
smpthering, for the heat was vile, the air
heavy, and there was no means of ventila-
ton. ,E@~,-,
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 table, on the top of which lay a
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 NOV without. A heap of
small arms lay in one corner; in another was
a sleeping bunk with straw at the foot of
which was closely strapped bundle filed,
as I afterward found, with provisions to be
used in the extremity c. being driven to this
rereat for protracted stay. I: 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 I finished my brief survey. eve
are not bound to this hole yet. We may go
to the house and sleep like modern Chris
slans for once more at least. Comet"
Distinguishing the light, he loosened the
board, and we passed out, the night air COM
ing to the lungs like cooling balm after
the heat and closeness of the contracted
den. I -, ..%
"There is little danger for the next few
hours" he whispered as we made straight
line for the house. 'tThe 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. IT'S 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
tor himself he was most anxious. However,
I could give him no comfort, only saying
that had email head for thought until
could clear my brains with sleep, but that if
taken, though it were barren Of gain, 7
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
4 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 50 long as chance to
help remained. Twas compact hurriediy
thought Of and hurriedly made, but there,
under the stars dimly 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 could see
]. was closed by solid wooden shutters, the
back door stood wide for entry, and i soon
! found myself in what was probably the
kitchen. It was pitch black within, but
Ames knew his Whereabouts, and I, with
my hand on his shoulder, followed him
through this room into hall and up a
fight of stairs. At the top mans voice
broke out with: - s. Al @
:, Who's there?"ys IS s 81 4
$50 Seven" spoke Ames in return. &
"Five!" was the answer. = H.
slWell enough! And / havesa friend, J"
said my companion. And without more
parley he went ahead and up more stairs,
opening trap or hatch, and landing in the
garnet at last, where he struck light.
The room was undivided, and took in the
entire ground plan of the house. So large
Z was it that the single candle failed to clear
the gloom from the corners. and made the
great rafters spanning the space overhead
deeply mysterious. Two immense Chin
sneys piercsds the aoors and went out at the
roof, but beyond these the sweep Of level
was unbroksnapaM By q large bed with cur
tains, saatafdessaad several chairs. a half.
moon, wine oy Fat either gable end was let
high into tie vail. "a long ladder leading to-
( one of them showed it had been used as 4.
]. post OF! observation, but now both were care
fully covered TO preventsany interior light
reaching abroad. lssssss
Here, then, were comic rtable qua: ter At
h last. 1t was none too cool but there vas
plenty Of air, and could I but get q bite and
& 9 few hours sleep ] felt some thing might
4 come of it, especially as there was q safe
hiding place near at hand which could be
used at q pinch, and such possible refuge
would prove = mighty factor in preventing
demoralizati ion. ssSs2ss
was looking 1t the trapped hole III the
floor through which we had come when j
& heard q footstep OH the stars and q man ap-,
peared from below. He rose into sight as
though there was no end to him, 80 tall and
gaunt was he, and as he came to the light i
& saw that he possessed but one eye, and that
set IN ! face which had the length and ex-5
preston Of that Of q horse. VI With barely al
d glance ut me, he took my companion aside,
where they held y whispered conferences.
Suddenly turning, he held out to me ansa1ms
like hail and grasped my hand. hen with
smile which disclosed q ma gnif6cent setsof'
teeth, and like magic transit cured the
preston st lii face he said Isl TIE purests
nglish and ths 4 voice Of swonder
mod !. ss III
Donald Ihorpdy q are heartily AZ
cone rs tlss pobf house of Peter Burt syIs
1T viii hold you id mi III . way
sssol 81 81 mad clear our deed s,
honor YOU your ZEN