News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-01-08
CHAPTER NIX.
BUCKS INDISCRETION

who had completely collapsed at lind
ing that both Helen and had disap
peared. He went to Helen and politely
offered to assist her to aIght
Eve must move out of this at olce,'
/ said. "AI depends upon our getting
down the mountain and into some
town, where these villains viii not
dare follow us. All stay here while ]
recOnnoitcr."
] had not dismounted, and spurrcd
my horse a few hundred yards west-
ward, where | paused on the verge OF
the plateau. The sun was rising at my
back and was pouring a food of light
on the lowlands a thousand feet below.
Lswept my eye over the rolling fields
and woodland dotted with towns, vii
lagos, hamlets and many fair planta-
tion, with its manor house surrounded
by the huts Of the field hands Far in
the distance was a snakelike line in
the road, moving forward, it seemed,
as a reptile crawls-the cavalry that
we had so nearly caught the day be-
fore, now on their way back to join
the main force. / longed for a speak
ing trumpet sonorous enough to reach
them, but there was no hope for us
now in them and I brushed away dis
appointment and made a survey of the
ground directly before me-nothing but
steep incline, so thickly wooded that
the character of the ground was com
pletcly hidden. On either hand was a
mountain spur, between which ran a
creek. | hesitated between taking one
of these spurs and following the bed
of the creek. On the spurs we might
be seen; by the creek we would be CON
cealed under the trees. | decided in
favor of the latter. Returning to camp,
Uniformed the party of my decision.
"Will you join us, Captain Beau
month" asked
1--WE been hunting TO- yo' all TO
days" replied the captain looking at
Jack. Now I've found yo', I'm not
likely to part with yo! Together we
can whip the guerrllas."
Not dozen of them. Besides, we've
had enough of that"
What are you going to do with the
horSes?" asked Helen.
Mount the ladies'" suggested the
captain.
Thank yo'," observed Jack, "but |
don't care to ride on a horse with his
nose pointing to China and his tail at
abe stars"
"No one could ride horse over such
aroute." said l. IN take care of the
stock"
| tethPred them in the little pocket
We were leaving, knowing that they
were less likely to betray our where
abours to our enemies there than if /
aurned them loose.
They'll starve.' Jack demonstrated
II cant help it,"
"fhey shall not
Come, we have no time to lose"
But Jack set about collecting what
attic grass was to be had and piling it
Before them. The captain. seeing her
determination. was soon on his knees
gathering grass and throwing it in he.
apron
II hope the delay will not cost US our
lives" grumbled. Now, Ginger, l
want you to go off to the right just as
fur as you can and still keep me in
sight Buck, you go to the left and dc
the same, but keep close, for it won't
do for us to call to each other"
= "Jack can make all sorts @ noises
eats, an owls an brds--so 20 can't tell !
'egnI' Buck volunteered,
. Good! We may have occasion to
use her You girls keep behind about
the same distance as our fankers,
When we get to the creek, Ginger is to
work down it on the right bank, Back
on the left, while | keep as near the
creek as possible Captain Beaumont,
will you act as rear gyard"
q ,"'Ritb pleasure, sir"
"He'll 60 to sleep" remarked Jack,
y Nand be left behind"
\"Not with you in front" said the cap. |
ssYn, looking at her reproachfully.
= u gave toe order to move. Making as
8ttle noise as possible, keeping each
tethe. In sight, except occasionally |
when the trees and underbrush We're
300 thick. we proceeded to the brow Of |
The plateau. Descending, we soon
struck the creek and, under cover of
she trees, proceeded downward in open |
oEder, walking rapidly, keeping a sharp |
lookout ahead and on the TANKS We
had not gone far before an owl hOoted
behind me, and so natural was the cry
chat, had Inot been expecting it, Ishould
never have suspected it to have come
from the throat of Jaqueline. Turn
ing, saw both girls pointing upward.
On the very edge of the declivity and
not far from where we had begun our
descent a man was looking down from
she plateau We were so protected
chat he could not see us, for, besides
being among the trees, we were in
comparative shadow, while the man
above stood out boldly in the light. He
did not look like Il guerrilla, but we
hurried on.
Discovering great advantage in
lacl's signals, called in the tlankers
and the rearguard and arranged with
Ahem that Jack was to travel with me
Ms trumpeter The boot of an owl
would mean "hide," a woodpecker's