Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-06-27
'Well, he is a reliable sconndrel.-

n SVOu spy. wen, III the cursed
rooineks storm Glencoe, they will find
our guns manned by their own country
men"
Aye, manned by rooineks with
their hands tied behind their backs.
Ha, hal good plan Of Shiers to truss
those who refuse TO fight and make
them targets for their friends. I'm
sorry for John Martin, though. He
was good friend"
They moved away, and Hendrick
realized from their conversation that
Shiel had tied those who had refused
to join his commando behind the Boer
guns. so that there was every possibil-
ity Of their being killed should the
English make an assault.
Carefully picking his way. he led
his horse TO within two miles Of the
Boer position. After making the ami
mai secure he proceeded on foot. He
advanced at first without any attempt
at concealment. answering when chal-
lenged that he was on his way to Shiel
with news of the enemy.
The audacity OF this proceeding was
justified by its success. and Hendrick
found himself well inside the Boer Do
sitiOn almost without question. ON
the ridge where the guns were posted
some 20 men were lying Hendrick
walked among them unsuspected.
They could not tell whether he had
just Joined the commando or had been
with them for weeks. New arrivals
were pouring in daily.
Passing along the ridge. Hendrick
-, 1ts.
hands tied behind him and secured TO
the gun carriage. lay John Martin
Mr. Martini
The captive looked at him wearilv.
Il ann Iitudrick -sst make no noise
do not speak. Miss Nancy is safe nj
Durham. The English storm this DO.
Sition tomorrow. l VIII cat your bonds.
but IL is all can Go for YOU. If YOU
can escape. You will find my horse IN
the brush. two miles along the road TO
the right Should YOU sec Nancy again.
say did my hest TO keep my promise"
He hastily severed the captive's
bonds ana. bidding Martin hold his
hands as If still tied. he left him the
knife and passed along the ridge. He
proceeded down the mountain and was
just conSratulating himself on his
lucky escape when lie was confronted
10y band of armed men,
They challenged him. and he gave
his usual reply that he was on his
way To Commander Shiel. The band
opened out and Hcndrick was faced
10y tall man on horseback.
Il am Commander ShieL Who are
you. and what do YOU wantI"
For moment Hendrick was silent.
and before he could speak a light was
flashed on his face
Il know limit is Hendl ick Hoop
stad.' cried a voice.
"HoopStad. the man who refused to
obey the call OF the government and en-
listed aS a volunteer with the Enslishl
You see, We are well Informed. my
brave spy Bring him along. men: we
will show the reward we reserve for
traitors"
Hendrick was seized by rough and
willing hands and hurried To the BOer
camp. Without any delay he was sen
tenccd To Ice shot at break OF day. and
rs he was being taken from Shiel's
presence he heard n messenger an
NNN NA'N 'A~ f'H AAAtAN NOAllA NAIlllA llItl
made his escape and could not be
traced.
Thank GOdv he exclaimed aloud.
Il DO not die in vain"
The day broke at last, and the guards
entered the tent and cut the bonds
that bound the prisoners legs. The
upper part Of his face was enveloped
in thick woolen muller and thus
DHndfolded he was led out to die.
His grave was already dug. and they
stood him beside it. The firing party
consisted of four men. Three OF the
rifles held blank cartridges. and the
fourth was TO deal the deathblow. but
none of the men knew who held the
deadly weapon.
The firing party were in charge of an
officer who held Il revolver in his hand.
Should the prisoner be alive after the
party had fired ii was the officers duty
TO execute the sentence himself.
Present! Firer'
The rifles rang out, and Hendrick
stood by his grave unhurt Without a
word the officer advanced to within
three PAGES Of the doomed man, raised
his revolver, and a bullet crashed
through Hendricks brain. He fell Tor
ward and then rolled on his back, the
bandage slipped from his eyes. and
the face of the dead man lay upturned
to heaven. His eXecutioner took n
step forward. and then n cry of agony
startled the morning air
'Hendrick, Hendricki My God! NV
God! Hendrickl My brotheri And 1
have killed him. O God. forgive for
give!"
Paul HOopstad placed his revolver to
his forehead and fell across the corpse
OF his brother They loved each other
In life, and together they joined the
great unknown.
That morning the English army
stormed the heights Of Glencoe, and
the Beers were defeated. with heavy
slaughter, and side 10y side with Can
tain Dick Harvey rode John Martin.
In the engagement Captain Harvey
was wounded and sent to Durham
where Nancy nurscd her soldier lover
back to health. He told her the story
OF Hendricks death rs he had heard
II from one of the Boer prisoners
"IN lOVpl mo " no cofH % tIo .oo,..