The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-07-24

on at Simcoe Lodge just now, and the
wealthy Mrs. Vineland Is one Of the
guests. The young fellow sleeps in that
wing over there, so we need have no
fear OF arousing him. Then well back
TO our iceboat and be under cover again
before they know we've paid 'em a Wis
it."
Sam opened those little eyes OF his
wider. He was not oyergifted with an
active brain, but the reference to Sim
coe Lodge had sharpened his intellect.
For Simcoe Lodge was the home of
Ed Daleton, and had not Ed Daleton-
Well. Sam Augustus drew closer to
the cabin window.
The speakers companion made no re-
ply for some minutes. When he did
speak, there was a tinge Of bitterness
to his words:
I'm with We, Rats. I agree with
ye. But when's the bloomin' biz to
end? They'll spot our lay soon. never
fear, an to my mind we'd better
scoot down to Jackson's Point right
away an get back to Toronto from
there"
"Bahw rejoined the other. 1--WE sim
ply have got to turn this trick, Spud.
Then I'm for home. Come, it'll be a
good, dark night, and we can bag the
game before midnight, for they danced
until Z this morning and are sure to be
abed early"
Sam waited to hear no more. The
men were thieves, and they intended
robbing the home Of the only white
| man who had ever befriended him.
Oh. lazy, shiftless Sam Augustus, why
do you hurry so?
For he was skating across the lake
| as he had never skated before Twenty
miles stretched between him and that
part of the mainland where Simcoe
Lodge stood, and he must be feet in
deed to arrive before the boat. He
knew he was getting a good start, but
| he knew, too, what an iceboat could
do. All, lucky Sam Augustus, to find
the ice smooth as glass instead Of be-
| ing caked and crusted with snowl
On, on through the night he raced.
In his face blew the first gusts of a
storm, but he plunged through the
| crystal flakes, his sinewy legs fairly
flying over the level surface. Now he
could see lights twinkling In the dis
tance, and his Indian instinct told him
| they were from a farmhouse not far
| from the Daleton estate. Not a light
could be seen from Simcoe Lodge
itself, for a huge row of fir trees. wind
breakers, screened the house from the
lake blasts.
Sam swung along buoyantly. The
next moment a kissing, whistling
fash of white glide past him. to be
swallowed up in the darkness.
1t was the boat. They would beat
him yet. He dug his skates into the
Ice despairineiy and hurled himself
forward. But I'm a minute or two he
became hopeful again. 1t was yet too
early for the burglars to begin work.
He could easily arrive in time to warn
the household.
On, on through the night he raced
Now he was foundering In snow banks
that had drifted against the lake cliffs
now he was climbing up these rugged
heights. now he had unstrapped his
skates, and now. still tIreless. he was
bounding across the fields to give the
alarm.
Not pausing to seek the gate into the
Daleton grounds. he leaped the high
fence that paralleled the fir trees only
to alight upon a human body. Nexi
moment he was grasped by no tender
hands.
Here, what's this?" he heard q voict
exclaim. Turn yer glim on. Rats
Here's a nice kind o. a party that
comes tumblin' on to a man without %
much as beg pardin."
Sam Augustus writhed desperately
but another pair Of brawny hands
seized him, and he was helpless. YET
he kept up the struggle and as hs
fought shouted with all the strength Of
his red mans lungs:
''Thievesw
"Blast II, stop thatw commanded thu
voice. "Ye won't. eh? Then
There was a click and a report. San
gave groan and staggered baca. Sput
let him slip to the ground.
81 thought I'd stop ye," he muttered
Say, Rats. r.
Something bright flashed through tn,
night. The Indian had risen to hi
knees. Spud fell, with the toe Of {
skate In his brain.
''Thievesw shouted Sam.
In yard Of the old Free kirk at Bea
verton is a plain white shaft with thi
/ inscrintinn.