Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-03-21

less treachery lay hidden about), though
what had become of young King and how
could come by Nick Stryker, were still puz
zles. In the face of the action and words OF
the Quaker, whose blow had saved me from
immediate capture, could but think he was
not what he had seemed to be, even if he was
Quaker at all. That he was friend to the
cause was plain enough now, though at first
with the feeling that every mans hand was
against me, l even thought his sending me
above might be but a trap to take me alive
But this could not be, for on going to The
window l saw the easement opened on
roof that sloped easily to near the ground
common arrangement in architecture in
those days, and one that still holds.
had been alone bare five minutes when
through the still night air heard the sound
of voices and the Gathering of hoofs from the
yard, and guessed that some of the troopers
below had gone in haste to the north, for,
my window being on the south side of the
house, saw nothing of them as they passed,
All below became silent as the confusion
melted in the distance. My nerves were
like harp strings as stood and listened, but.
Not that way!'-he cried. ut is swamp
land, and thee would be mired in the night
Upstairs-'tis safer for now-leave the rest
to me-"
With mighty nimbleness for SO old a
man, he drew me toward the kitchen, and,
throwing open the door, pointed to set of
boxedsin steps leading above, and then
quickly drew back, closing the door behind
him.
/ had but gotten up the short fight when
I heard him go to the barroom entrance and
shout for help with all the might of his
cracked voice. In moment | heard the
clatter of arms as the men entered the low.
er room, and at the same time the negro
came bounding up the stairs behind me.
The moonlight through the hall window
just showed me his black face as he ran to-
ward me, and with a will to sell myself at
high cost lifted my sword to cut him down
when he cried in horse whisper, and with
out the slightest trace of dialect:
Hold up, man! Pm yer friend! This
way!"
As he spoke he indicated door the latch
of which he lifted, and, throwing it wide,
placed his finger on his lips as he pointed to
a passage with window at it's far end.
With the words: II have no time to explain;
lie quiet till get back!" he turned and left
me, running downstairs as quickly as he had
come up.
Now from the moment l had crossed
swords with Lowney till the present the
ns the time went on and nothing occurred,
breathed tritle easier, and finally gath
cred enough confidence to reprme my fire
arms. Had it not been for the damp knew
was in them, should have used pistol on
the gambler at the start.
For all of an hour / waited in the pas
sage, which turned out to be little more than
narrow lumber room, but at last heard
the door below open, and even as was hop
ing for some one to guide me to my next
move, the negro was before me. Like spir-
it he entered the passage, for no sound
of steps had heraded his coming, and the
only words he spoke We're:
"Pull off yer boots and follow mel"
His own were in his hand, and obeying,
trailed after him in and about two or three
rooms and q hall, coming at last to fight of
steps that led us down and out by back
way.
1t was something like waking from night.
mare to breathe the outer air again and not
feel the cramping of close quarters. Motion
ing me still to follow, he bent himself like
an Indian seeking footprints, and thus we
passed beneath the rear bar windows, soon
being at distance from the house and to-
ward the stream ! had noticed. Under some
low bushes We stopped long enough to pull
on boots, and then onward we went, now
bearing toward the east and through q
swamp, which would have been fatal to me
had i attempted to traverse it alone.
Save to caution my going, not word my
guide spoke, nor did ask question, only
stepping close behind him as he made his
way through blind path he evidently well
knew. Presently we came to something
like rod of firm ground slightly overgrown
with coarse weeds and low shrubbery. Here
my guide halted, and, turning about with a
chucklc, said:
Considering they know nothing of yer CO.
ing, We be safe enough here"
what the devil" I began, but he In
terrupted me.
""ris plain enough, my friend. know
we now, an thought did at first. Did ye
mark me draw the light from We at the table
and shut the windows?"
How did you know me?"
Are We not the man who bearded Gin
ton? Who would not know We after the
days rumpus with searchin's an descrip-
tions? Are there two O. yer shadow on the
island? Is not yer name Thorndyke? IT'S
lucky We fell afoul O. Nick Stryker instead O.
Others"
"By the Mighty! Are you Nick
Stryker?" / asked, light bursting on me.
Nick Stryker is my name" he answered.
81 thought you said Nat Burns was"
"Who ever saw Nat Burns?" he broke in.
No one. He's always away. Come, now,
I've little to tell. What brought we to the
Dover"
"To find one calling himself Rex" be-
gan, but he stopped me by an exclamation.
REX! an We asked for man O. the name
O King? know none such, but Rex-why,
he it was that laid out the tory and saved
yer neck. An We knew him not! Well, on
my soul, It's scarce wonder!"
Is it possibleP No more than brother
unborn would l have known him. Is Low
ney dead?" asked.
"Ay, he's dead, an We ha' the credit O. it.
Did we not hear a party putting after We to
the north? We have no time to palaver.
Stay here until guide the Quaker hither;
he's maxim blind fools O an officer an three
men over the body O the tory, but his risk
is great. l tell We that Rex is sore beset him
self, an would hang higher than Haman
were my position known. Ye each need the
other, for tits beyond me now to more than
help ye out of the muss We have just got
ten in"
What is the mans real name?" asked
as he turned to leave me-
"Ames," was the short answer as he
made off, and in the small light of the moon
that was now close to its setting marked
his figure grow less and less until the shad.
ows swallowed it.
Now saw where had made mistake in
not closely following directions and asking
for REX" in the first place. And equally
stupid had been in determining that Nick
Stryker was openly known by his name