Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-09-25


harm, as | got my horse to q run. ann
Acton came after more slowly, sitting
bolt upright in his saddle, while he
growled out his disgust at this cowar,l
ly retreat Yet we could hear 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 VIII
cvertalSe us in Il mile" l said, think
ing aloud
so. So" jeered the man. We Will
take two as they come ON, ride two
more down by force and that leaves
but ono apiece to finish The game Ills
too simple"
IT'S no such thing" cried I, ncr-
vously, as we sped along. We cannot
risk delay. Spur ON, lad. spur on'
for a shot sped over our heads. They
are in range now" and I turned to take
a look at them And then l called out
suddenly
what is it," he asked, turning too,
in the saddle.
Look at the first man. look. john"
sDamnation." said he. Curtis
mani"
Aye. aye.' said l, captain Hazel
tine, as I'm u sinner The man is the
devil himself!y
j thought for a moment my comnan-
ion would then and there pull up, but 1,
begging him for the work we had to
to ride ON, he did so; and. abruptly
turning bend i'll the road, we saw
there 200 yards ahead, a platoon of rcd
coats presenting arms. We had reached
the British outposts above Tarrytown.
My! N.Y. said Acton in his sarcas
tice raillery, here Is n sandwich that
will be hard on the digestion!"
But there came into lny head an Idea,
and we sped on directly into them,
waving our hands backward as the six
pursuers turned the bend.
Get them ALL" ] cried In tone of
command, as the sergeant in charge
ordered his men to prepare to fire, be-
wilaered though he Was at our sudden
appearance. Yet, seeing two men
rushing confidently into his arms, pwr-
sued by six others, he naturally enough,
and as l had hoped, took the pursuers
for the enemy.
A sharp volley rang out as the six
came on without checking, and the re-
suit was extraordinary. The leading
horse leaped In the air fell heavily
forward, turning n comIlete 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 ii at
drill and rushed back around the bend,
evidently having had enough oil their
view of the post.
Turning to the sergeant, said:
II thank you for your timely assist
ance. Those cowboys would have made
short work of US"
There be many of them hereabouts,"
said he, politely, thoug. he still had a
| bewildered look in his face.
I'VE were coming down from the
eastward and found these men In am
| bush,'' / continued. without giving him
time to think overmuch, and
And the big chap let out at US. He's
n spy of some kind. l know" the
stupid Acton began, but to cut his dam
gerous talk short interrupted:
"Doubtless you know who we are.
as some OF the soldiers proceedd to
| pick up the two fallen men.
twill be necessary. Will We come
| to the icutenant?"
In an old house by the road that had
been taken for q guard house, we found
the lieutenant commanding. | began
ON him ut oiiec:
"My name - lIazeltine, sir, and am
/ on ray WAY TO New YORK With DIS.
patJhss for sir l!enly clinton. My
I. companion here IS included IN these
pass8s,3 and ] handed Rita Washing
TOMS priceless gift. Tic hard but BEGUN
To glance over this WHEN tlie door
opened and lIa&eltine himself entered.
| His face WAS n mass Of blood ana dirt,
but beneath this YOU could see the fea-
lures working with a we'll nigh UNI
4 GoNefhitpie passion. re 'hIeN W me
seiSSs,ilt "llfi'yGt ~ Croft aiia slioas
4 ulisel's up !" 'fe oiiieer.
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