Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-07
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. Ginger put his hand on

my arm.
Don't stop Missy Jack, mars Missy
Jack can do eberyt'ing wild men folks"
He turned my face to the cliff. Look
dat away, an yo' won't see hit.'
When l broke from the old man. Hell
en- and Jack We're beyond the rampant
i have seen lifeboat men pull out in
tempestuGus sea, breasting a bowling
wind and madly tossing pillows: |
have seen men march out TO battle with
almost a certainty OF death or mutila-
ton. but | have never looked upon any
sight with the mingled terror and adj
miration that thrilled me as beheld
these two girls, without other weapon
than woman's loneliness, descend the
rocky slope toward the guerrilla camp.
They moved hand in hand, as l have
seen graceful ships sail side by side.
Helen was the taller and the more
commanding, but both walked erect,
Helen buoyed by native courage,
Jagueline confident in the possession
Of a gift, a genius for bending men to
her will.
iCS Idi sNui1Sly ltll uS w ucu IuC
guerillas caught sight of them and
stood looking up in stupid wonder.
Ginger, Buck and were staring down
upon them, Ginger's eyes starting out
of his head, Buck leaning excitedly
over the rampant, l clutching my car
bine. On went the girls, between the
flanking rocks, out upon q gentle swell,
through slight depression, over
stones, weeds. brambles, till at last
they came within so yards of the guer-
rlla camp. Then came cheer from
the bandits-I knew not whether of tri-
umph or welcome-and the girls en-
tered the camp.
What they said, what was said to
them, l could not hear. l could only
see. Captain Ringold raised his hat
and stood with it in his hand. He was
evidently speaking. for the men gather
ed around. and all seemed to be intent
on him and the girls. Then ] saw
faces We're turned to her. Occasionally
she made gesture, now turning to our
little fortress, now pointing the finger
of scorn at the guerrillas. as though to
shame them or to influence whatever
of manliness there might be in them.
She was making them long speech.
AT least, it seemed SO to me, who could
see, but not hear. At last there was a
cheer. The conference was ended.
Then the little actress, Jaqueline, was
evidently using her art. She would
whisli up to one of the men, stand be-
fore him in favorite position of hers
bent slightly forward, and shake her
finger in his face. All the men stood
watching her. Occasionally there came
burst Of laughter, 4 yell Of applause,
clapping of hands, and I knew that
Jack was carrying her audience.
Then l could see the figures below
beginning to busy themselves about
preparations for supper. Helen and
Jack took hold as they had done once
before the men permitting them to do
the work.
Buck. beside me, chuckled. $50
What is 1t, Buck?"
"That consarned Jacks goin roun'
| thar with the skillet in one ham an
chawin somep'n she's got in the other.
Wish was thar"
| When supper was served. each man
Wed with the others to provide for their
guests. Jack was seated on the ground,
her back resting against g tree. plate
in her lap, a tin cup at her side, evil
IDENTIFY making hearty supper. keep
ing the men running back and forth
from the fire. filling her plate or her
cup at every. trip.
| After supper we could see that the
conference was resumed between Hell.
en- and the guerrillas. She was evil
IDENTIFY arguing with them to effect a
purpose. The captain had good deal
to say, but all were taking part in the
debate. Then the girls started for our
fort. One of the men approached the
captain and shook a fist in his face.
The captain knocked him down. An
sther started after the retreating party,
ensued. some of the men placing them.
selves between the others and the girls
who were now coming up the hill
quickening their pace at every step
| Cooking my carbine. / ran down to
Join the girls. meeting them midway
between the fort and the guerrilla
camp. First Jack came dashing past
me, wild with terror, her cheeks blanch
ed, her eyes staring. Helen came or
more slowly, turning occasionally will
hot cheeks and flashing eye. Below
among the guerrlllas. was babel
swearing, bowling and shooting = the
protecting party being the stronger
and keeping the others at bay. put
my arm behind Helen and hurried shel
up the steep slope. When we got te
the fort, Jack was already there, crouch
ing behind the rampant, her head ap
pearing above it, her eyes as big as
saucers.
"Goody gracious, what fool 1 was
to go down there! Wouldn't do it again
| TO- anything"
Helen gave me hurried account OF
the visit. On entering the camp the
captain had complimented them upon
their bravery, both in the fights that
/ had occurred and in coming out un