The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1900-03-08
CHATTER XII.--roNrtNurn.

] viii not so 40 far a. TO say how this Ger
lainly would have ended had there been no
Interference, but the end came in a man
ner totally unlocked for. ] had worked the
fellow backward through the room. hoping
to get him Wherr he could retrtat no farther,
and had iorced him well toward he heavy
settle Whcrcon slil sat the Quaker, when
that white haired patriarch rose with an
exclamation, and seizing bis stall. stepped
behind Lowney aud brought the stick down
on bis barred head, Telling him 10 the floor q
senselezs carcass.
Though The blow was serviccahlc 20 me,
Each an act Of war on the part Of a Quaker
made me turn on my ally and rvgugd him
with Aatonishmcnt
Twas foul thing &c take a man from
behind when engaged IN front, my friend,
broke out, "and, though give thanks for
sood intentions. twas an unseemly act, and
you belle your cloth"
Thee has small time to pick fine holes Ia
my service. friend" he answered, hurTicdly
Turn thee 20 the window and see my mo.
tive. wish 10 make friends with thee, but
We muEt hurry Look yonderl"
looked "a directed. and 10 my amaze.
nent sa1 3 squad Of British cavalry about
turning into the lane leading to the tavern
There was Scant time for me 10 run fer my
arms and get to the window, but, as was
about TO throw open the easement. the
Quaker laid his hand on my arm.
"Not that wayl'hc cried. 1T is swamp
land, aud thee would he mircd in the night
Upstairs-'tis safer for n0w-!eayc the rcst
10 me
With mighty nimblcucs. for 80 old
man, he drew me toward the kitchen, and
throwing open the door. pointed 10 "a set Of
boxed.in steps leading above, and then
quickly drew back, closing the door behind
him.
hsd bat gotten up the short high, when
heard him 70 to the barro0m entrance and
shout for help with all the might q his
cracked voice. In q moment ! heard the
elatter Of arms a. the men entered the low
or room, and at the same time the negro
came bounding up the stairs behind me-.
The moonlight through the hail window
iust showed me his black face az he ran 90.
ward me, and with will 90 sell myself a.
high cost lifted ms sword to cut him down
when he cried IN a horsc whisper, and with
out the slightest trace OF dialect
Hold up, mani I'm yer irirndl This
wayl"
A he spoke he Indicated a door the latch
Of which he lifted. and, throwing il wide.
placed his finger on his lips ls be pointed TO
q passage with a window 40 rs far end.
With the words # have no time To- explain;
lie quiet till set hack!' he turned aud left
me, running downstairs ~ quickly as BE- had
come up.
Now from tho momcat ] had crossed
swords with Lowney tiii tlse present the
time had been 90 short that Il was as moth.
Ing. l was not confused as rcgaris losing
my hcAd, but mighty strange it seemed that
two friends had 20 suddenly arisen and this
fact was n tritle bewildcrinr. In some blind
way the Dove was still Nhg station luu
less treacheFy lay hidden about, though
what had become Of young kiug and how !
could come by Nick Strykcr, were still puz
Elea 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 20 be. even II he was
Quaker at all That he WIS friend 90 the
cause was plain enough now though az first,
with the feeling that every mans hand was
against me, even thought his sending me
above might BE- but trap TO take me alive
But this could not be, Tor on going 10 the
window ! saw the easement opened on a
roof that slopcd easily to near the ground
q common arrangement IN architecture in
those days, and one that still holds
! bad been alone a bare five minutes when
thruugh the ssill night air heard the sound