Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-07-13

OulSls
"Sarten, i'm ride up, big many,
took Baas Martin, tied UNI hands, an
dun CORN way,
. (Which way did they ride?"
Cabbage UNI follow Baas-Glencoe
then UNI come back here an walt
TO Baas."
And then Hendrick realized that
the worst had come to pass. and John
Martin was a prisoner in the hands
Of Commander Shiel.
II will not return with such meagre
news" he said to himself. II will
push on toward Glencoe and learn
more, even If / have to penetrate in
their camp"
He accordingly made his way to-
wards Glencoe and found his progress
more difficult every mile. Time after
time he was stopped BY bands OF
Beers, but always got away by saying
that he was riding to join Shells COM
mando. AS he had taken the precau-
ton to wear his own clothes, this ex-
PLANTATION was accepted as satisfactory.
Nearing the heights of Glencoe,
Hendrick thought it prudent to re-
main in hiding until evening. Teth-
ering his horse in a small wood, he
concealed himself in some bushes and
endeavored to get some sleep. He was
awakened some hours later by the
sound of voices, and peering from his
place Of concealment, he discerned
party Of Beers on horseback about
twelve yards away.
do you think they will attack to-
night?"
Either tonight or tomorrow morn
ing. Villjoen brought word"
"Well, he is a reliable scoundrel."
"A good spy. Well, il the cursed
Rooineks storm Glencoe they will find
our guns manned by their own coun-.
trymen."
AYE! manned by Rooineks with
their hands tied behind their backs.
Ha, ha, a good plan of Shells to truss
those who refuse to fight and make
them targets for their friends. I'm
sorry for John Martin, though-he was
a 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 posi-
bility of their being killed should the
English make an assault.
Carefully picking his way he led hic
horse to within two miles of the Boae
position. After making the animal So
cure he proceeded on foot. He aA-
vanced 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 we'll inside the Boer
position almost without question. On
the ridge where the guns were posted
some twenty men were lying. Hen
drick walked among them unsuspect-
ed. They could not tell whether he
had just joined the commando or had
been with them for weeks. New ar
rivals were pouring in daily.
Passing along the ridge Hendriok
came to the guns, and there, with h1s
hands tied behind him and secured to
the gun carriage, lay John Martin.
"Mr. Martini"
The captive looked at him YEARLY.
II am Hendrick-sst-make No
noise-do not speak. Miss Nancy 10
safe at Durham. The English storm
this position tomorrow, will cut your
bonds, but it is all I can do for you,
II you can escape you will find my
horse in the brush, two miles along
the road to the right. Should you sea
Nancy again, say I did my best to
keep my promise"
He hastily severed the captive's
bonds, and bidding Martin hold his
hands as If still tied, he left him tho
knife and passed along the ridge. He
proceeded down the mountain and was
just congratulating himself on his
lucky escape, when he was confronted
by a band of armed men.
They challenged him, and he gave
his usual reply that he was on his way
to Commander Shiel. The band open
ed out, and Hendrick was faced by q
tall man on horseback.
II am Commander Shiel. Who are
you and what do you want?"
For a moment Hendrick was SILENT
and before he could speak light was
flashed on his face.
II know hint is Hendrick Hoop
stad," cried a voice.
"Hoopstad, the man who refused to
obey the call of the government, and
enlisted as volunteer with the Eng
lish! You see, we are we'll informed,
my brave spy. Bring him along, men,
we will show him the reward we re-
serve for traitors"
Hendrick was seized by rough and
willing hands and hurried to the Boer
camp. Without any delay he was SEN
fenced to be shot at break of day, an6
as he was being taken from Shiel'9
presence he heard messenger az
nounce the news that John Martin hae
made his escape and could not be
traced.
THANK God!' he exclaimed aloud.