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

Anu ulu ne luSSllOu YOU. -. --
Twas we'll hit home.
Il do not comprehend it myself, but
I know my friend and that is enough"
he went on, moving along again. but
none too ~graciously. I had hurt the
honest soul.
Enough for me, too" said land
then my hand flew to my head, for on
the instant my hat flew off, and there
rang out the ping Of a rife.
'Ho, ho!" roared Acton. Here he is!
Here in the woods!" and he turned his
horse to ride up the bank into the un-
derbrush. f
stop, you fool" cried I. Down!
down in the saddle and ride!"
But I must find this "..
ride, ride!" I cried. again. There's
no time for delay now!"
Another shot passed us without
harm, as I got my horse to a run. and
bolt upright in his saddle, while he
growled out his disgust at this coward
ly retreat: Yet we could hear the clat-
ter of hoofs behind; and turning, I saw
half a dozen men, suddenly appearing
on the road, n coming after.
Our horses are done up. They will
overtake us in a mile,' I said, think
ing aloud.
LIN WV o. lliSS olll cAl3 iluS l"o
more down by force and->that leaves
but Il apiece to finish the game. IT'S
too SIMPLE"
otis no such thing" cried I, ner-
vously. AS wasped along. I'VE cannot
risk delay. SSpur on, lad! spur on!"
for a shot sped over our heads. "They
are in range now" and l turned to talks
a look at them. And then I called out
suddenly.
What is it," he asked. turning too,
in the.s saddle.
Look at the first man. look, John!"'
"Danlnation!" said he. Curtis
mani"
AYE! aye." said I, Captain Hazel
tine, as Pm a sinner. The mar is the
devil himself" ~t
I thought for moment my compan-
ION would then and there pull up, but I,
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 Tarrytown.
My! my!" said Acton in his sarcas-
tice raiiery, here Is a sandwich that
will be hard on the digestion!"
But there came into my head an idea,
and we sped on directly into them,
waving u hands backward as the six
pursuers turned the bend.
Get them ALL" I 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 I had hoped, took the pursuers
for the enemy.
A sharp volley rang out as the six
.rQna on without oharHjnr on1 tho ro-
suit was extraordinary. The leading
horse leaped in the air, fell heavily
forward, turning a complete somer-
sault, n threw his rider head fore
most into the road, where he lay still.
One of the five fell heavily from his
horse, IN 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 hereabouts,"
said he, politely, though he still had a
bewildered look in his face.
I'VE were coming down from the
eastward and found these men in am
bush," I continued, without giving him
time to think overmuch, "and-" "
And the big chap let out at US: He's
a spy of some kind, I know" the
stupid Acton began. but to cut his dan
gerous talk short I interrupted:
Doubtless O know who we are"
Is some Of the soldiers proceedd to
pick up the two fallen men.
"'Twill be necessary. Will 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 Ha.zeltine, sir, and T am
on my way to New York with dis
patches for Sir Henry Clinton. My
companion here is included in these
passes" and I handed him Washing
tonss priceless gift. He had but begun
to glance over this when the door
opened and Hazeltine himself entered.
His face was a mass of blood and dirt,
but beneath this you could see the fea-
lures working with a well 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 o would know me-"
Acton began to prepare himself for
anything that might happen. I stood
where l 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?'
Lord, sir, he came Of his own ac-
cord, sir" answered the man.
Well, have we not force enough here
to put me man under guard? Take
him away!"
Lieutenant, you will regret n such
action" cried Hazeltine, angrily.
Why, you outlaw, do you expect to
impose on me ~ ..j
Il tell you. sir, Sir Henry Clinton viii
not appreciate such summary meas
ures. ! come here tostell you my name
ts Hazeltine, and I say to you rebel
Eous war!'-aha, you will give atten-
ton now, eh7"
The lieutenant started perceptibly
twice during these hastily spoken
words, once at the name OF Hazeltine
and once at the words "rebellious war"
Twas high time something was said,
and So ] took the cue:
Il know this man. lieutenant; and
you will do well to hold him. He is an
American spy in disguise. ! nearly
caught HIM a few days ago at Gowan's
Tavern, just above here in the neutral
country
you lie, you dog! You ne!" cried
h eaother. know you now, too. You
are the REBEL am after, and SO is this
fellow here. YOU What have you
rSuencein cried the HeItenant Sand