Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-06-09

you'll be likely to SEQ pretty soon.
was the sighificant remark Of the lead.
er. ''These are not tho times to show
much consideration to the like Of you.
III own that the question isn't clear in
nv mind. I'll have TO talk It over with
the boys While we're doing SO, you
can withdraw. Stay with the women
No doubt they'll fnd your company
agreeable. Bill. go along and keep an
eye on him all the time. remembering
that. If he hasn't any weapons except
his sword. tho fact won't hinder him
from running. if he gets the chance"
Tho soldier addressed as "Bill" mo-
toned to Oakman to follow him into
the hall The prisoner did so. the two
joining the three women. who We're
seated near the stand or table upon
which was the candle. with their arms
folded, grim. silent and waiting. They
turned their eyes toward the couple. but
not word was spoken by any one.
All the chairs We're occupied. and the
men kept their feet Bill wished to fol-
low the debate that was going on in the
next room and placed himself near the
door that he might catch the words
spoken. an easy thing to do. since there
was little or no attempt at secrecy by
the others.
While posted thus the soldier motion
ed for Oakman to take his place in
front. that he might observe his every
movement. the guard meanwhile keep
ing his hand on the revolver ut his hip.
Less than FIVE minutes later scream
rang out from Miss Hartman. and the
startled company in the adjoining room
dashed into 'the hall 10 learn Its cause.
She was in her chair. gasping and strug-
Cling. with frightful attack Of hys-
terics; Mrs. Benware and her sister, as
white AZ death. sat silent. upright and
evidently on the point Of swooning;
Bill, tho cavalryman, was stretched on
his back. to all appearances as dead as
no doubt whittier the prisoner had gone,
and with fierce imprecations the raiders
streamed outside and made for their
horses
Not minute was to be lost, for in
the vivid moonlight he was seen in the
act Of swinging himself into the saddle
of one of the animals that had been
tied at the side of the lXpe. fully alive
to the fact that his life depended upon
usiss every second nt his command.
Not doubling what the verdict of tho
mon would bc. Lieutenant Oakman.
while in the hall with his jailer. deter
mined to discount it, The fact that his
guard did not suspect any such wild
purpose increased the chances of the
officer. Without his motive being dis
trusted by the man Whose attention
was centered upon the discussion in the
adjoining room the lieutenant stepped
up near him. The next instant ho was
throttled with such lightninglike
quickness that he sank to the floor and
collapsed without being able TO make
ali outcry.
Lieutenant Oakman would have
strangled the life ont Of him without
any compunction had he dared to linger
for that purpose. but the door at his
side was likely to open any moment,
when 1t would be all over with him
As it was he came near shifting Off the
wind OF the fellow for good, but. seeing
him senseless he snatched away his re-
volver. rose from his feet and tiptoed
hurriedly out of the door.
The whole thing was begun and end
ed 80 quickly that the daring fellow
seemed to be gone ere the women m
derstood what it all meant Then mo-
ment passed before they did anything.
and the form on tho floor had begun to
show signs Of returning animation.
when Miss Hartman uttered her pene-
trating scream, tho party crowded into
the hail. and without pausing to ask
questions. made for the fleeing prisoner.
lieutenant Oakman was as cool as he
was active. There was no time in which
to select the beet horse, and he united
the one nearest at hand. They were
partly in moonlight and partly in shsd
ow. but he saw the old building dis
gorging its terrible contents as be
turned the head Of his animal down the
lane toward the highway. and he knew
{ the battle for life was on. There would
be no surrender or quarter shown IN
this business.
The instant the animal broke into his
gallop in the middle Of the lane Oak
"a
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