Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-04-27
CHAPTER XIII.-CoNrINUED.
By CHAUNCY G. HOTCHKlSS

CHAPTER XIII.-CONTINUED.
Ames pushed me toward the opening, and
II squeezed through, feeling solid boards
der my feet, and being greeted by such
strong smell of old hay that 1 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 retreat that
-coulS w. 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.
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 a table, on the top of which lay
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
nvugh boards of the room were barren of
everything save rifle hanging nail,
land the wisps of hay that penetrated each
screvice from the NOW without. A heap of
small arms lay in one corner; in another was
Il sleeping bunk with straw at the foot of
(which was closely strapped bundle filled,
/ afterward found, with provisions to be
L L
rereat for protracted stay. It was hiding
Tended save by secrecy, for brand touched
! TO any part of the structure would reduce it
to.ashes in less than an hour.
=. lis all right" said Aines, raising his
head as 1 finished my brief survey. eve
are not bound to this hole yet. We may go
to the house and sleep like modern Chris
,fians for once more at least. Comet
distinguishing the light, he loosened the
board, and we passed out, the night air COM
eng to the lungs like cooling balm after
She heat and closeness of the contracted
den
There is little danger for the next few
hours" he Whispered as we made a straight
Alne for the house. ''The redcoats were here
this noon and searched the place, but my
sthe boy was then in the barn. They will
hardly try here again until they have beaten
Thorndyke! Have you not in your head a
way off this island? Think hard, man! We
Gnust both think hard, and then take
chances, however desperate. You are will
ii:,g that we pull together?" he concluded in
acrrogatively.
In his earnestness he dropped his assumed
ss,,anner of speech, and there was an appeal
in his voice that made me think it was not
Tor himself he was most anxious. However,
Z could give him no comfort, only saying
that had small head for thought until /
could clear my brains with sleep, but that If
Atalzen, though it were barren of gain,
would send some of the enemy ahead of us
to announce our coming. Then l laid my
hand in his and swore l would stand by
him, and his brother, too, if need be Though
such swearing seemed useless in the face OF
snatters), 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 te
stand by the other so 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 ar
excess of happiness nor backed by the
exuberance or fictitious generosity of strong
drink, not even expected 20 extend beyond
the present period of danger, it held through
life like an invisible chain.
There was no delay in getting into TIT
ihouse. Though every window l could SCI
was closed by solid wooden shutters, .th'
back door stood wide for entry, and soor
found myself in what was probably thu
Kitchen. 1t was pitch black within, bu
Ames knew his whereabouts, and l. witt
zmy hand on his shoulder, followed hin
through this room into hall and up !
fight OF stairs. At the top mans voic
Sroke out with:
Who's there?"
"Seven!" spoke Ames in return
'Fivei' was the answer.
well enough! And l have friend,
ssaid my companion. And without NOR
parley he went ahead and up more stairs
.sopening trap or hatch, and landing in tn
garnet at last, where he struck light.
The room was undivided, and took in tn
entire ground plan of the house. So larg
~-s-as il that the single candle failed to clea
sthe gloom from the corners. and made tn