The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-09-26

ant. Acton began to laugh. He was
beginning to comprehend. The lieu
tenant was fast losing all compre-
ahension.
viii We be quiet!" roared he at the
stranger. Receiving no answer he
turned again to me.
Now, sir!!" ss ~
II repeat, my name is Hazeltine, and
if You will give me a few moments
private conversation, I will prove 1t.
I may not expose important matters
here" >''' s~,
you will answer, here, sir, what
questions are put to you!" cried the
lieutenant, fast losing his senses.
Nov, then" he continued, sitting
down to the table, and beginning to
write, your name?" "a #
Paul Hazeltine." e .
+ A movement on the part Of the blood
despatched man drew a corresponding
movement from the lieutenant, and I
put my hand on my hip. OF a surety
the situation looked critical. Acton
alone appeared calm, and a smile grad
uaily spread owe his great face. There
was the prospect of a fracas, and
therefore of amusement Consequently
he was the coolest Of h party.
Your business here within the
lines?" continued the lieutenant.
Special emissary Of Sir Henry Gin
ton. If you will allow me a few
moments private conversation.
Il will allow We naught. sir, but the
guard house. If We do not reply at
once" cried the bewildered officer.
Here Is my pass" said I. handing
him Waslington's slip. Then, as for
an instant there was silence, the door
again opened and two soldiers brought
in the other man, who had been wound
ed in the head in his fall from his
horse. Acton touched me quietly, and
turning I saw t was the man who had
escaped from Hollis tavern the night
before, and who had failed to find the
dispatches on his friends body before
he left. His head was ~bandaged, but
he was not TO be mistaken. "
who the hell is this one?" cried the
lieutenant. ag
The sergeant touched his hat and
replied:
THE other Skinner, sir, hit in the
head, sir. He's out Of the game, I'm
thinking Lieutenant Majoribanks
bent over him and at that the
man opened his eyes and struggled to
a sitting position. I have never be-
come accustomed to death, much of the
grim customer as I have seen, and the
struggles Of this poor fellow to say
something that was on his mind We're
pitiful.
What is it?" asked the lieutenant,
leaning over him. the anger gone out Of
his face and voice; try again, my
mani" rs
We all instinctively kept silence in
the sight of the fast approaching end,
and l heard the n word dispatches"
as he pointed to me. IT was a close
hit, but by the grace Of a chance
thought I found Hazeltine in line with
me and just behind, and turned and
looked at him. t
dispatches" repeated the poor fell
low. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
And over he went with a thump of his
head against the floor as dead as was
eve any man. ~
The officer rose in a moment and
turned to us. Seeing me look at Hazel
tine, he said:
What does this mean? You have dis
patches?"
mot l." said Hazeltine, his manner
changing a shade as he spoke. I held
my peace for a moment, for the eyes Of
the officer showed hat the mistaken
identity was working into his head, and
I have ever found that a bit Of silence
at certain -Aoments will say more than
years Of wordy converse. ~
mot l." repeated Hazeltine. "He
pointed to his man here. 7 know him
we'll. He" -.za T. 81 + G=t s&a.
Sergeant" ordered the officer, take
this man Into custody. Search him and
bring all papers found on him to mei''
Again EaZeltine controlled his tenn
per by a great effort. Indeed, the mans
mind was working fast; and I knew
from what the commander-in-chief had
told me that he had a brain Of great
power. E-'
Lieutenant" he said between his
teeth "'t is al good as the loss Of your
commission to touch me. VIII you do 1t,
or will you give me fifteen minutes7"
We'll, sergeant, do I give you orders
twice?". @-,
1t was quite enough. Hazeltine was
down in an instant, struggle as he
might, and bound hand and foot. He
looked at me with as evil a color In his
red eye as one might call up in a bad
dream, but said not a word; and then
out same from his coat a package Of pa
pers. The lieutenant looked them over.
Take him away to the guard house
and bring me anything else you find"
he. ordered; and they carried the man
out, still with his red eye on me till
the door closed behind them. And thus
L knew that until one Of us should be
dead that man Hazeltine was my
enemy, king or no. king, war or no war
and t is not in me to deny that it vas
an ugly sword to hang over one by day
and night. " go