Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-09-27

Shoot away. but do stick that added
pate through and get scalpedl'
There was Il short conference outside
and then the SINNERS drew out Of ear
and gun shot.
Now to finish our arrangements"
said Curtis, coolly.
AYE, and in quick order, too, for
the house is burning down." and In
truth / was in some concern.
We'll, we meet as soon as possible
at No. 2 Broadway" said Acton.
Just So" replied 1. Curtis, you
know New York;"
II do"
Then take this pass and come to No.
2 as soon as possible. Acton and 1 go
together"
But what is No. q? How are we to
get in7" asked Acton.
True, that is important said l..
What shall we say, Curtis?"
He hesitated a moment. In the mean
line we could hear the cracking of the
flames mingled with the cries Of the in
mates of the house. Finally he said
slowly:
You will find an old woman there"
AN old woman" we repeated.
Tell her you have come to meet Rob-
ert."
I'VE are to meet Robert"
And, my friends, If you have any re-
gard for me, question her not 1t all;
but do as you say-wait for me-"
Now came Madam Holt rushing In,
crying that the house was falling about
our ears. Behind her was her crazed
husband.
Holt, o say you have money here"
said Cutris.
II? l, money! no, not a cent, as the
God knows!" screamed the frantic
man.
Fear not, mani Go and fetch It and
we will make a sortie and charge
through these men. There be but five
Of them now"
"Oh, my house,! my house! I'm dead.
I'm ruined" cried the distracted man,
clapping his hands to his head as he
hurried away.
"One word more" said Cutris. THAT
man who was killed In the other room
Is n of the two we suspect. Mayhap
ne carried dispatches"
He did" said L.
Then we may and must get them,
sair Curtis.
II have HI papers here" and 1 held
them up.
"Balfort," cried Acton, as the land
lord came rushing again into the now
lighted room, we are certainly a great
mani"
And now" continued Curtis, as we
moved toward the door, each man save
himself; Acton with you, and l alone;
and we meet at No. g" We went from
the main room into the hall and found
it thick with smoke. All were there,
however, huddled together, the tavern
keeper, his wife, the boy, the soldier,
but the surviving messenger was gone.
And then several discharges Of musket-
ry rang out In the night air.
CT is the end of him and like to be
of us soon," said the soldier grimly.
End of whom?" asked the trembling
landlord.
That Yankee that was with the man
that's dead in there. lie bolted for the
woods"
Maybe he is dead, and maybe not"
said l. "Be that as it may, we are not
dead yet. Master Holt, how far are
the woods from the rear of the house? -
mot a hundred yards" said the wife,
her husband being too paralyzed with
fear TO reply.
Set fire to the chairs in the front
room to attract the SINNERS there.
Then TO the woods and the village with
all Of u.s."
Another discharge of musketry sound
ed on the night air and we heard a
cheer. The soldier jumped to the front
door and gave a loud whistle by ri2c-
ing his finger to his mouth. There was
a reply in an instant, and at the same
time n rapid scattering fire rang out
along the road.
ct is over, friends!" cried the sol
der. Here be the troops come back
in the nick of time
Nov is our time, then" said l,
quietly, to Acton; and as the Others
went to the front roms, we bolted from
the smoky hall, through the burning
kitchen, 10 the woods.
Curtis had remained behind.