Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-06-05

down the mountain and into some
town. where these villains will not
dare follow us. All stay here while
reconnoiter."
l had not dismounted, and spurred
my horse n few hundred yards west
ward, where l paused on the verge of
the plateau. The sun was rising at my
back and was pouring flood of light
on the lowlands a thousand feet below.
| swept my eye over the rolling fields
and woodland dotted with towns, vii
lagos, hamlets and many fair planta-
ton, with It's manor house surrounded
by the huts of the field hands. Far in
the distance was snakelike line in
the road, moving forward, it seemed,
as n reptile crawls-the cavalry that
We had so nearly caught the day be-
fore, now on their way back to join
the main force. l longed for a speak
ing trumpet sonorOus enough to reach
them, but there was no hope for us
now in them, and brushed away dis
appointment and made a survey of the
ground directly before me-nothing but
steep incline, SO thickly wooded that
the character of the ground was COM
pletcly hidden. On either hand was a
mountain spur, between which ran Il
creek. l hesitated between taking one
Of these spurs and following the bed
of the creek. On the spurs we might
be seen; by the creek we would be con-
oh I N
favor of the latter. Returning to camp.
l informed the party Of my decision.
"Will you Join us, Captain Beau
month" asked.
"Pve been hunting TO yO' all TO-
days." replied the captain. looking at
Jack. NOW I've found yo', I'm not
likely to part with yo'! Together we
can whip the guerrillas."
"Not dozen of them. Besides. we've
had enough of that"
"What are you going to do with the
horses" asked Helen.
Mount the ladies'" suggested the
captain.
'Thank yo'." observed Jack. but l
don't care to ride on horse with his
nose pointing to China and his tail at
the stars"
mo one could ride n horse over such
q route" said I. "Tll take care Of the
stock"
I tethered them In the little pocket
we weya leaving, knowing that they
were less likely to betray our where
abouts to our enemies there than II
turned Them loose.
They'll starve," Jack demonstrated.
II can't help it."
"They shall notv'
"Come, we have no time to lose"
But Jack set about collecting what
little grass was to be had and piling it
before them. The captain, seeing her
determination, was soon on his knees
gathering grass and throwing 1t In her
apron.
Il hope the delay Will not cost US our
lives" l grumbled. "Now, Ginger. !
want you to 60 of to the right just as
far as you can and still keep me In
sight. Buck. you 60 to the left and do
the same. but keep close, for 1t won't
do for us to call to each other"
Jack can make all sorts O. noises
cats. an owls an birds-so 20 can't ten
'em." Buck volunteered.
Good! We may have occasion to
use her. You girls keep behind about
the same distance as our fankers.
When we get to the creek, Ginger Is to
work down it ON the right bank, Buck
on the left while l keep as near the
creek as possible. Captain Beaumont,
will you act as rear guard"
with pleasure, sir"
Hell 60 to Sleep" remarked JACK.
"and be left behind"
"Not with you in 'front.'" said the cap
tain, looking at her reproachfally.
I gave the order to move. Making as
little noise rs possible. keeping each
other In sight, except occasionally
when the trees and underbrush were
too thick. we proceeded to the brow Of
the plateau. Descending. We soon
struck the creek and, under cover OF
the trees, proceeded downward in open
order, walking rapidly, keeping a sharp
lookout ahead and ON the tanks. We
had not gone far before an owl booted
behind me, and so natural was the cry
that, had mot been expectingit, Ishould
never have suspected it to have come
from the throat of Jaqueline. Turn
Ing, I saw both girls pointing upward.
On the very edge of the declivity and
not far from where we had begun our
descent a man was looking down from
the plateau. We were 80 protected
that he could not see us, for. besides
being among the trees, We were in
comparative shadow, while the man
above stood out boldly in the light. He
did not look like q guerrilla, but we
hurried on.
Discovering great advantage In
Jacks signals, called In the flankers
and the rearguard and arranged with
them that Jack was to travel with me
as trumpeter. The boot Of an owl
would mean "hide." a woodpecker'e
rapping rally on the CENTER" the notes
Of thrush take back track" hens
cackling push forward in haste"
These signals being perfectly under.
stood, we opened again and advanced
like a central sun and satellites.