The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-07-25

here at Verplan cks. knew Colonel Liv-
ingstone to be fine soldier and a
gentleman. Ny two letters had been
taken from me as soon as I was
brought In, but I had no fears for any
thing except my ability to come up with
the communicated chief and get speech
with him.
1t was in the midst Of this continual
tranpine up and down the room that T
was interrupted by the entrance Of
sergeant, who bade me follow him. We
passed along q narrow hall, and stood
at half opened door, waiting to be
called, as l supposed. Within the room
could be heard the voice Of an officer
making examinations, but as I leaned
YEARLY against the door post I gradual
ly became aware Of two or three men
of the door.
"Perchance It was indeed the man,
Rob, though. upon my soul, hope not.
For he did me as great a service as man
can do Il started involuntarily.' 1t
was certainly the big voice Of my friend
John Acton of the morning before; and,
while | listened, the turning of my
thought to him led them, for the first
time since that strange meeting in the
woods, back to the old house at Cow
ans Ferry and to her who had taken
such hold upon me: so that at first
the words seemed to carry little mean
to my mind.
Heaven bring 1t that t is indeed
your man, John. For 1 have followed
the fellow up and down this country
now FOR two weeks, till the pursuit Of
him and the desire to come up with him
nave grown to strange fascination"
lhls other voice was clear, cool, and
penetrating, and came of a different
character from such as one saw day by
day among officers and men in the rank
and file Of the Continental army n
was no English accented voice, but it
showed a great degree Of cultivation
WHAT bearing and clothes had he?
Though the clothes might be changed"
he added. But I have seen that fiend
again and again, always riding, always
with a great cape, always at night"
True, lad" said the other: "he did.
indeed, wear great cape, and he rode
down from the heavens at full speed to
my rescue"
And then Disappeared"
Aye, like the smoke from a gun
pouf! and he was gone"
And some ten miles this side of Co.
vans Ferry" the first voice said mus
1ngly; 1T was Whereabouts I've come
upon him."
What set we on the man, Rob?"
asked the voice Of Acton. I began now,
N good truth, to catch every word, for
L could place one man at least
3D." II is under the rose, John, but the
fellow is trying to double spy, or SO the
der-in-chief fears. But t is
thought, too, he belongs to Clinton. The
colonel took me into his confidence, and
l am to try to run him to earth. T
would not tell this even to you, but
that have the colonel's consent to take
your help. He goes by the name of Cap
tain fiazeltine, and as sure as there is
q God i'll heaven, I will come up with
the man yet. 1t grows now to be per-
sonal thing 'twixt him and mel"
"Then the Lord help him!" interrupt
ed the other And at that I was pulled
by the sleeve and marched into the
room.
AS We passed through the door. I
caught a sudden exclamation, and,
turning, recognized the man I had
helped on the highway, dressed now in
lieutenant's uniform, and knew he
recognized me. Well, we should see
what might be the outcome Of it all;
and If were to have spoken my mind
then, I cared not tnker's dam.
Number 1872 called out a deep and
to me just then, irritating voice, RE
port for examination"
only saw in the morning sunshine
that the room was filled with q num-
Der Of commissioned and non-commis-
stoned officers, and was about to move
/ to the place allotted to me, when he
who called himself Acton stepped up
and frankly shook my hand.
'Ah, my friend, here you are! Rob"
said he, with calm disregard of the ex-
aiming officer near by, Rob, here is
the man who kept me from tho worms"
That mani muttered the o,her He
had straight figure, fine, strong
face, pale, a little so1nbre in express
sion, but to the full extent what the
voice had intimated. Nay. friend" he
added dejectedly: ct is no more like
the other than you or IT, .'-
Gentlemen" said the officer sharply.
order, an it please you. We must pro
coed with the examinations. Your
name, sir" turning to me.
Merton Balfort," said 1.
mo middle name?"
mo
II respect that mans parents" said
Acton in a stage whisper One of us
| is spared a middle name" =
II is necessary to have order here
gentlemen" cried the officer sharply. :
"Quite right, too," nodded Acton, with
| mock seriousness.
our home, sir!"
Massachusetts Colony" said I.
! What town.
Boston
THE cradle Of liberty-next to vir-
ginia," murmured Acton in his ponder
| GUS whisper which drew smile from
every one present. ess
Lieutenant, shall clear this room if
| order cannot be maintained.
Then the nervous strain I was labor
Ing under became, too much for me.
Sir" said I, turning to Acton, II beg
that you will let the examination pro
| coed. You asked me TO call on you, and
do SO now"
Your age?' criei the examining Of
ficer loudly.
| "Twenty-two."
"Occupatior?" .'m
Lieutenant in the division of General
| Israel Putnam"
You are a soldier of the Colonies p"
Aye, soldier of the colonies,' said
raising my voice; for It was beyond me
to keep calm longer under this ques-
tioning, and. as 1 have already said, T
was come to that frame OF mind where
cared nota whit what might come of
| it all. ss5 5i4S,
Then fell a bombshell into that com
pany.
IT do not believe IT." half muttered
the officer.
That cooled me at once, and I replied:
That is the remark of a coward,
SIR y
| ""Yo1I call n,a-ha Sa1Ja ,po oox,ard