Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-09-01

Mr.. Tym and Ardick?
1T is at least something definite
said Mr.. lynn; 81 am for trying it, on
the whole"
agreed with him. and without more
ado turned to Don Enrique and the
ladies and put the business into Span
ish.
They listened eagerly and lost no
time in deciding. Indeed, they barely
took the words off my tongue ere they
broke out in consent. But, in fact, it
was easy to see by their anxious looks
and pale cheeks that they were des-
perate enough for almost anything.
This was a great relief to us. for GER
tainly we had nothing left to turn to,
unless it might be some desperate ac-
ton, and that with no reasonable hope
of success.
I saw the senorita and the other in
cline their heads a moment, as though
in prayer, and the don murmured
something under his heavy mustache.
l think we were not two minutes off
the stairs when we heard a confused
and swelling sound of voices, and on
unbarring one of the neighbor win
dows I Immediately detected the loud
rough tones of some of the buc-
cancers. They were approaching the
house, though as yet the high wall hid
them from view.
The fellows are upon u.s." I called
softly to the others.
They hurried into the room and
stood by my shoulder.
There could be no mistake about it.
The buccaneers were coming along by
the wall and were already close upon
the gate. Where we stood the trees
cut off the view, but the sound was GER
tain and distinct.
''They will scarce give this place the
slight, whoever they are" said Mr..
lynn. Should they be the same ras-
Gals that fell upon the don we must
hear speedily from them"
I'm that case they shall hear from
| us, Also said the captain, grimly.
"Hark!" I cried. they are already
at the gate!"
This was indeed true, for now we
could hear their banging and bawling.
1T will be bit before the gate
| Yields" said Mr.. lynn. pray Heaven
| they batter at it awhile, and give our
| friends the better start!"
'But they will not long back and fill
! there" said Sellinger. 'If nobody
| opens they will be over the wall. I
| wish the don would hasten"
They are coming at last" I said,
much relieved, as the door into the
| rearward rooms opened.
| The don, followed by the others,
came out, and 1 perceived they were
ready.
This was the manner of their dis
| CAUSE.-THE old don wore a kind of
Dutch coat belted about the waist and
| extending to the tops of pair of rough
sea boots, and on his head was great
| Tapping hat will, the forcbrim Topped
| down. His face and hands were
smeared with dirt, and under his arm
he carried an old basket.
The ladies were attired in a some
what similar fashion. Dona Isabella
wore long coat and heavy boots cher
skirts she had. OF course, discarde@,
| and the rest of her visible dress con-
sisted of an old cap with side flaps and
a curly wig. The wig was tucked chief
| ~ under the cap, and at a glance might
well pass for her proper hair. She hao
| bedaubed her face and hands and car
| ried fishers spear. AS for poor Dona
| Carmen, 1 observed that she had put
| on kind of mixed garb, consisting of
high straw hat, blue jacket, long
knit vest, coarse hose and well-worn
| jackboots. She had smutted her face
and hands, and carried over her Shout
| der a we1l-stuffed bag the seeming
weight of which made her stoop lit
| tie, SO that her face was not quite re-
vealed.
"They must hasten" exclaimed Mr..
| Tup1 ssTK iS wonder a1r fellows a re
not already at the door. Fetch good
look rearward, Ardick, to see that the
| coast is clear, and after that no delay"
Twas only too willing to obey. for the
| case indeed pressed, and with the sin
gle word Come" to the don, I flew to
the rearward door and unbarred it.
| A glance out showed no person in sight
| A considerable court, walled in on
| both sides, extended to the little rear
| ward street. From here it was the
| first and most dangerous stage of the
| journey to the shore.
God reward you ALI" said the don,
with a sign of his hand in farewell;
and he stepped bravely out. His COM
| panions followed, not forgetting fer
vent "Adios!" and we stood in the door
| and in a silence of anxiety saw them
| pass down the court.
Nothing as yet appeared, and pres
emily they were ct the opening of the
street. Another breath of suspense
and they had rounded the corner.
by heaven. happily compassed!"
exclaimed the captain, with a great
breath of relief.
at is, indeed. good start" said Mr..
lynn, himself giving over something of
his anxious bearing.
81 trust the DISCUSSES will serve"
said, with sigh. I'm truth. they were
not of the best"