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

growled out his disgust at his coward
ly retreat. Yet we could heal the clat-
ter OF hoofs behind; and turning, ! saw
half a dozen men, suddenly appearing
on the road, and coming after.
our horses are done UP. They will
overtake us IN q mile" I said, think
ing aloud.
Sol so!" jeered the man. I'VE Will
take two as they come on, ride two
more down by force and that leaves
but ono apiece TO finish the game. IT'S
too simple"
"'Tis no such thing cried /, ner-
vously, az we sped along. I'VE cannot
risk delay. Spur on, lad! spur on"
for a shot sped over our heads. They
are In range now" and turned to take
a look at them, And then l called out
suddenly.
What Is itT' he asked, turning too,
In the saddle.
Look at the first man., look, joint"
"Damnationl" said he. Curtis
mani"
"Ayel aye!' said /, Captain Hazel
tine, as Tn a sinner. The man Is the
devil hlmself!"
i thought for q moment my CompaG-
ion would then and there pull up, but /,
begging him for the work we had to
to ride on, he did so; and, abruptly
turning a bend in the road, we saw
there 200 yards ahead, a platoon Of red
coats presenting arms. We had reached
the British outposts above T~arrytown.
MY! my!" said Acton In his sarcas-
tice raillery, here Is a sandwich that
will be hard on the digestionl"
But there came into my head an idea,
and we sped on directly into them,
waving our hands backward as the six
pursuers turned the bend.
Get them ALI" l cried in q tone OF
command, as the sergeant in charge
ordered his men to prepare to fire, be-
wildered though he was at our sudden
appearance. Yet, seeing two men
rushing confidently into his arms, pur-
sued by six others, he naturally enough,
and as 1 had hoped, took the pursuers
for the enemy.
A sharp voney rang u as the six
came OF without checking, and the re-
suit was extraordinary. The leading
horse leaped In the air, fell heavily
forward, turning a complete somer-
sault, and threw his rider head fore
most into the road, where he lay still.
One of the five fell heavily from his
horse, and the others wheeled as If at
drill and rushed back around the bend,
evidently having had enough of their
view of the post.
Turning to the sergeant, I said:
II thank you for your timely assist
ance. Those cowboys would have made
short work Of u.s."
There be many Of them h~ereabouts,'
said he, politely, though he still had n
bewildered look in his face.
I'VE were coming down from the
eastward and found these men in am
BUSH" l continued, without giving him
time to think overmuch, and"
And the big chap let out at us. He's
a spy Of some kind. l know" the
stupid Acton began, but to cut his dan
gerous talk short / interrupted:
Doubtless you know who we are"
as some Of the soldiers proceedd to
pick up the two fallen men.
"'Twin be noecarsry. VIII We come
TO the lieutenant?'
In an old house by the road that had
been taken for a guard house, we found
the lieutenant commanding. i began
on him at once:
My name is Hazeltine, sir, and l am
on my way to New York with dis
patches for Sir Henry Clinton. My
companion here is included in these
passes" and 1 handed him Washing
tons priceless gift. He had but begun
to glance over this when the door
opened and Hazeltinc himself entered
His face was u mass Of blood and dirt,
but beneath this you could see the fea-
lures working with a we'll nigh un-
governable passion. He threw off the
sergeant without an effort and STROBE
directly up to the officer.
you are a new officer here, sir. 9th
erwise you would know me-"
Acton began to prepare himself for
anything that might happen. l stood
where was, trying to appear only an
noyed at this interruption. The officer,
on his part, instead of replying, turned
to his sergeant and blurted out:
why do We admit this man here 2"
Lord, sir, he came Of his own ac-
cord, SIR" answered the man.
well, ave we not force enough here
to put one nan under guard? Take
him away"
Lieutenant, you will regret n such
action cried Hazeltine, angrily.
why, you outlaw, DO you expect 20
impose on mc?"
Il tell you, sir, Sir Henry Clinton will
not appreciate such summary meas-
ures. l come here to tell you my name
is Hazeltine, and ! say to you rebel
lious war!'-aha, you Will give atten-
ton now, eh?"
The lieutenant started perceptibly
twice during these hastily spoken
words, once at the name of Hazeltine
II once at the words "rebellious war"
Twas high time something was said,
II so l took the cue:
Il know this man, lieutenant, and
SOu VIII hp "Cll W UOiu Hlll. ne Is dl
American spy In disguise. / nearly
caught him q few days ago at Gowan's
Tavern, just above here in the neutral
country"
You lie, you dog! You lie!" cried
the other. Il know you now, toe. You
are the rebel | am after, and SO is this
fellow here. You What have you
done with
"Silence!" cried the lieutenant, "and
leave the questions to me! Now, sir"
he continued, turning to me, proceed"
Il tell you hat my name is Hazel
tine and that"
He lies! He lies! That is my name!"
cried the MIN.
| shrugged my shoulders as quietly
as might be, and looked at the lieuten-
ant. Acton began TO laugh. He was
beginning to comprehend. The lieu
tenant was fast losing all compre-
hension.
"Wll we be quiet" roared he at the
stranger. Receiving no answer he
turned again to me.
Now, Sir!"
Il repeat, my name is Hazeltine, and
If you will give me a few moments
private conversation, I will prove 1t.
l may not expose important matters
here"
You will answer, here, sir, what
questions are put TO you'll" cried the
lieutenant. fast losing his senses.
Now, then" he continued, sitting
down to the table, n beginning to
write, your name?"
Paul Hazeltine."
A movement on the part OF the blood
despatched man drew q 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
ually spread over his great face. There
was the prospect Of a fracas, ana
therefore OF amusement. Consequently
he vas the coolest Of the party.
Your business here within the
lines?" continued the lieutenant.
Special emissary OF Sir Henry elm