The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-08-15
TX.
THE REAL MOUSE TRAP.

1 could not help wondering, after my
Two friends disappeared in the dark
ness, at the peculiar chance of fate. or
whatever one might wish to call it, that
left me now standing here by the house
1 had so longed to enter but a few short
days ago, with orders now to enter it,
but the inclination to do SO 0 Gone,
did I say? Nay, hardly that, for If any
one Of US entered there, it must be +:
and, whatever might be the real rea-
son of her going there, T could not let
her be taken in arrest as a common.
spy. %% Pr
Why she should be there now, I did
not want to guess. And, indeed, the
doubt Of it growing on me, I turned to
the sergeant Of the troop and looked
him over; a grizzly bearded old cam
paigner, used to wars, but honest and
a stalwart colonial, I'd be bound. II
was, In fact. the picket who had taken
me the night I reached Teller's Point.
What would he do with Mistress Phil
ipse, If he found here there? I did not
like to think, but spoke to him instead:
!. Callahan" said I, know We why
we're here?" @s#
"That I do not, %liftinint,' said he. ct
am ordered here, and here + be. Indade,
sair, I've outgrown askin' quistions."
you a keep your mouth shut
well?" ~
cash the liftinint," and he jerked his
thumb over his shoulder towards the
troop.
&"Good! Remember that, should the
time. come!-take now two men and go
around that house to.the left. Leave
two21nore here concealed neal the road,
and let the other go with me to the
right"
AYE, sir IT.
I we must enter that house, search, it,
get what may be inside, and lie. low
for more. And look sharp, for. t is like
there be nobless than a dozen red coats
there now. watching for u.s.
AYE, SIR said he, saruting again.
""If you hear or see aught, leave a
man and make g wide circuit till you
meet me" II.
SO we started away crawling on our
stornachs and keeping a bright eye on
the gloomy house that appeared to be
dark from top to bottom, and that con-
/ tanned God knew what.
! Fortunately for us, there had grown
up a wealth Of underbrush on all
sides, and keeping well within this
turned the first corner, skirted the
broad side of the square mansion, and,
nothing appearing amiss, moved slow
ly. and laboriously on, turning the sec
hond corner.
There at last was a, light shining from
an opel indoW In what appeared to
be a room adjoining itself. Soon I was
up to it, and, seeing 1t ~unoccupied,
made bold to enter, sending one mar
to call the others with Callahan. ss q
Silence reigned throughout the house
and nothing changed In the few min
utes that passed till, silently, n by
one, the five men37tand. Callahan slid
over the sill and stood waiting my In
structions.
Some one is here, or this is a trap
said I, In a whisper. I'VE must act
quickly, or be caught ourselves
y Is simple enough, sir" said the
old man. coolly. $5
And how 81?
not touch a hair Of your head, but tell
me truthfully is this house occupied by
British soldiers? Nay. do not move
away! IL must trust you. Listen!
There Is an attempt to take Andre
this house is the rendezvous-ten me
you know naught OF 1t! Oh, tbs useless
to try to escape. I have; the house
surrounded with my men; but tell ma
you know naugilt OF 1t, that I ma pro-
Mtect You from my own people!ADoy you
not see? You Will be arrested al q
Epy!!RB She was sobbing, convulsiYely,
q I could not stop her. 7 knew not
what to do and in the beWildermeIt