Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-03-24

and finally entered what might have been
1 disused COW shed built against the rear Of
The barn, Going to the end, he laid his ear
against the, rough boards Of the barn and be-
nan scratching gently. Nothing coming Of
this, hsifumbled about, and presently, to my
great astonishment, broad board came
away In his hand, leaving in the barns side
a long, black hole that looked to lead into
the bowels Of darkness.
Ames pushed me toward the opening, and
I squeezed through, feeling solid boards I'M
der my feet, and being greeted by such
strong smell Of old hay that might have
been in the heart of an ancient rick. And
this proved to be the case, for 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 q retreat that
could be imagined, and here one might lie
and escape hanging (if 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-
ton.
Ny 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 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 rifle hanging on 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
which was a closely strapped bundle filled,
| as afterward found, with provisions to be
used in the extremity of being driven to this
rereat for a protracted stay. 1twas hiding
place pure and simple, and not one to be de.
Tended save by secrecy, for a 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 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 straight
line for the house. ''Ihe redcoats were here
this noon and searched the place, but my
the boy was then in the barn. They vii
hardly try here again until they have beater
up other quarters. IT'S sorry outlook
Thorndyke! Have you not in your head
way off this island? Think hard, man! w
must both think hard. and then TAX
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 al appea
in his voice that made me think it was no
| for himself he was most anxious. However
. I could give him no comfort, only sayin
that / had small head for thought until
, could clear my brains with sleep, but that
taken, though it were barren of gain,
, would send some of the enemy ahead of u
to announce our coming. Then laid m
hand in his and swore I would stand b
him, and his brother, too, if need be (thoug
such swearing seemed useless in the face {
matters), telling him would be but an VI
grateful brute to desert him after he ha
. lost his chance for help at the tavern /
: giving his hand in my behalf.
We had halted on our way, and in til
darkness we came to the agreement each
!. stand by the other SO long as chance
help remained. Twas compact hurried
n DO, h,,S% har
/ under the stars dimly showing overhead
: was completed bond that failed no
: Twas made through necessity and BEGAN
= strengthened by love. Not conceived in 3
: excess of happiness nor backed by tt
: e1uberance or fictitious generosity of stror
y drink, not even expected to extend beyor
the present period of danger, it held throui
/ life like an invisible chain.
II There was no delay in getting into tt
\ house. Though every window | could 81
4 was closed by solid wooden shutters, Il
\ back door stood wide for entry, and sot
4 found myself in what was probably tt
A kitchen. 1t was pitch black within, b
II Ames knew his whereabouts, and |, wi
N my hand on his shoulder, followed hi
II through this room into a hall and up
N fight of stairs. At the top mans vol
i broke out with:
n who's there?"
II "Seven!" spoke Ames in return.
NJ "FiveW was the answer.
N "Well enough! And have friend
N said my companion. And without mo
IN parley he went ahead and up more stair
II opening trap or hatch, and landing in t
VI garrett at last, where he struck light.
NJ The room was undivided, and took in t
N entire ground plan of the house. So lar
" was it that the single candle failed to Gle
m the gloom from the corners, and made t
III great rafters spanning the space overhe
M deeply mysterious. Two immense chi
NJ neys pierced the floor and went out at t
roof, but beyond these the sweep of lie,
was unbroken save by a large bed with c,
tains, table, and several chairs. A ha
: moon window at either gable end was
70 high into the wall. A long ladder leading
~ one of them showed it had been used a
q post Of observation, but now both were ca
~ ~ fully covered to prevent any interior Lis
" reaching abroad.
~ Here, then, were comfortable quarters
~ last. 1t was none too cool, but there Y