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

Shoot away, but do stick hat added
pate through and get scalped!"
There was a short conference outside
ana then the SINNERS drew out of ear
and gun shot.
Nov 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;
Il do"
Then take this pass and come to No.
2 as soon as possible. Acton and I go
together
But what is No. ,? How are we to
get tn?" asked Acton.
True, that is important" said I.
What shall we say. Curtis?"
lie hesitated a moment. In the mean
time 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 CID woman there"
a old woman" we repeated.
Tell her you have come to meet Rob-
ert."
We are to meet Robert
And, my friends, if you have any re-
gard for me, question her not at 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, you say you have money here"
said Cutris.
I? I, money? no, not a cent, as the
God knoWs!' screamed the frantic
a
Fear net, man! 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: Tn dead:
I'm ruined!" cried the distracted man,
clapping his hands to his head as he
hurried away.
One word more" said Cutris. tThat
man who was killed in the other room
is II Of the two we suspect. Mayhap
ne carried dispatches"
He did," said 1.
Then we may and must get them,
sair Curtis.
II have the papers here" and I held
them up.
"Balfort," cried Acton, as the land
lord came rushing again into the now
lighted room, I'VE are certainly a great
mani"
And now" continued Curtis, as we
moved toward the door, leach man save
himself; Acton with you, and I alone;
and we meet at No. g." We went from
the main room into the hall and found
1t thick with smoke. All were there,
however, huddled together, the tavern
keeper, his wife, the boy, the soldier,
but h surviving messenger was gone.
And then several discharges of musket-
ry rang out in the night air.
"'T 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. He bolted for the
woods"
Maybe he is dead, and maybe not
said I. BE that as it may, we are not
dead yet. Master Holt, how far are
the woods from the rea of the house?'
Not 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 us!"
Another discharge Of musketry sound
ed on the night air and we heard a
cheer. The soldier jumped to the front
door n gave a lou whistle by plac-
ing his finger to his mouth. There was
a reply in an instant, and at the same
time a rapid scattering fire rang out
along the road.
""T is over, friends!" cried the SOL
der. Here be the troops come back
in the nick of time"
Nov is our time, then" said T,
quietly, to Acton; and as the others
went to the front roms, we bolted from
the smoky hall, through the burning
kitchen, to the woods.
Curtis had remained behind.