Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-08-13
By JOHN flNNlMoRE.

1T her side stretching away at the gall
lep. and we went perhaps three miles
before we We're checked again.
A little more picking of the way, and
on turning q corner, behold a High
shining, as from easement, half
mile ahead. 1t was the inn. and, as
we rode up. glanced eagerly through
the uncurtained window. In front OF
huge peat fire stood the dwarf. look
ing around with a spiteful smile upon
three or four frightened looking coun-
try fellows. who were seated upon
long settle
AS l gazed, one of them rose and
went toward the door. Tho dwarf
made gesture, as IL ordering. him
back, and the man returned and sa,
down without dispute. There was no
sign of the forms for which l looked,
but they might easily be elsewhere.
nor could see any trace of the pike
men. My companion sprang from his
pony and ran eagerly into the house.
Upon the other side of the yard was an
open door, and, inside, lantern dim
ly burning.
Without dismounting I turned
Whitesock toward 1T anil thrust in my
head. 1t WAS the stable, empty but
for two ponies, and those, as saw at
glance, larger than the animals for
which l was searching.
drew the right hand hand rein and
rode softly back to the highway i
felt perfectly certain that the pikemen
their prey, and, after going gently for
hundred yards over SOFT muddy
piece, gave WhHesock her head
Fer a single fields length from the
inn the land was enclosed then the
road was as usual over open noun
tain. and here the smooth. springy
turf ran to the edge of the way. Turn
went at a gallop, her head down, her
big, keen bright eyes watching every
yard of the path.
The moon was now we'll up and
poured her rays almost like day
through the thin, clear frosty air.
sat bolt upright In the saddle, left
searching out the road to the mare, and
kept a lookout in front and on either
hand.
l had gone thus for perhaps mile,
when l fancied that i heard faint
sound, as of climbing hoof. | pulled
up at once and sat listening. 1t came
again, and clearer still, now that the
soft thud Of Whitesock's feet upon the
turf no longer filled my ear. Bat IL
came frc.n point to the left OF the
road-from direction where a sharp
ly rising hill thrust itself so far into
the sky that the moon had only just
cleared it. the rim OF the yellow disc
resting on the crown OF the ascent
Click, click, clickl Certainly the
rattle OF ponies feet over stony
patch, and now there rose straight up
against the moon u bunch of figures.
They We're in view a mere instant, just
as they crossed the ridge. 1t seemed
as If the hin thrust them in again. I
never doubted for an instant who they
| We're, and turned Whitsock up the
rise, which she climbed With easy
stride.
AS we neared the top of the hill i
sprang down and led her a little to one
side of the stony patch which 1 saw
shining white before us. The other
side of the hill lay In full moonlight,
| and, peering over the crest, l found
myself gazing down a long, gentle
slope, the dark patch of moving figures
some distance away. / climbed into
1 the sadie again and went down upon
| them at a swift canter As drew
near I saw two ponies. each with q fe-
male figure seated upon 1t, one ragged
| piiSeman walking between them hold
ing a rein of each pony, the other two
marching on either side.
\ With the advantage of my horse and
weapons, l had but little uneasiness
as to driving the rascals off, but, as 1t
happened, the task turned out very
simple. For they were singing, or
4 rather chanting. lnMrnful, wailing
air as they marched, and closed upon
them unnotieed. Whitesock moved ~
lightly asa hare over the soft. spnngy
turf The man on the right hand car
ried a pike on either shoulder, as his
fellow between the ponies had both
| hands occupied. l therefore marked
| the left hand pikemnn, and drove the
mare down on him at u swinging gall
| lop
/ was within twenty yards of them
before they turned their heads. They
raised cry OF triumph, thinking,
their leader. The cry was hardly out
of their threats when Whitesock
struck the pikeman like thunder
bolt and hurled him a dozen yards.
! her knees as she rose to the gallop,
picking him clean off his feet. At q
| touch of the rein she wheeled round.
| but In that mere instant much had
| happened.
The fellow in the middle had dropped
the reins and leaped for his pike.
The captives had risen instantly to
the situation and made dash for
freedom and turned to confront two
| sturdy fellows, their pixies ready for
action, and to see the ponies securing
away to the right to regain the road.
| i
socks satin coat upon those keenly
whetted points, rode round them and
| followed the retreating couple.
| looked over my shoulder to find the
spearmen bounding after me like grey
| hounds, and the third man slowly get
! ting to his feet. drew a pistol and
| fired 1t over their heads. They took
| minutes was up with the flying fig
ures.
do not press your animals too
hard" i cried. you are safe now, I
| think. Those fellows are not following
! u.s."
They drew rein. greatly to the relief
| of the painting little creatures under
them. and we went at an ensy pace up
| the last stretch OF the long slope.
you have come to our rescue once
| more. and we thank you again and
again" said the nearer rider. I'VE
seem fated to get into difficulties on
| this Journey
TT Is travellers luck" said I, land
in these unsettled days one cannot be
surprised at any length to which the
| daring of these rogues and footpads
carries them. But who We're these
/ men,"
II am not entirely sure" she replied;
but / believe we have fallen into the
danger against which -" she paused
for a moment, then added, "the danger
of which we heard in town."
You were very kind said !. land
I see that you had good grounds for
! that of which you spoke / do not
see your man. Has anything happened
to him?"
NO" she replied; 1--WE left him be-
hind this morning. He was still suffer-
| ing from the i'll effects of yesterdays
| adventure, and i babe him remain and
| rest for a day or two; and besides a