The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-02-26
CHAPTER XIX.

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who had completely collapsed at find
ing that both Helen and l had disap-
peared. He went to Helen and politely
offered to assist her to alight.
1--WE must move out Of this at once"
said. "All depends upon our getting
down the mountain and into some
town, where these villains will not
dare follow us. All stay here while
recOnnoiter."
| had not dismounted, and spurred
my horse few hundred yards west
ward, where l paused on the verge Of
the plateau. The sun was rising at my
back and was pouring food Of light
on the lowlands a thousand feet below.
1 swept my eye over the rolling fields
and woodland dotted with towns, VII
lagos, hamlets and many a fair planta
| ton, with Its manor house surrounded
by the huts Of the field hands. Far In
the distance was a snakelike line In
| the road, moving forward, it seemed,
as reptile crawls-the cavalry that
we had so nearly caught the day be-
fore, now on their way back to join
the main force. I longed for speak
Ing trumpet sonOrouS enough to reach
them, but there was no hope for us
now in them, and l 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
pletely hidden. On either hand was
mountain spur, between which ran
creek. 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-
cealed under the trees. l decided in
favor of the latter Returning to camp,
informed the party Of my decision.
"Will you Join us, Captain Beau
mont" asked
| "I've been hunting fo' yo' all fo'
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 guerrllas."
mot n 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 horse over such
q route" said l. "Tll take care of the
stock"
| l tethered them in the little pocket
we were leaving, knowing that they
were less likely to betray our where
abouts to our enemies there than If
| turned them loose.
They'll starve," Jack demonstrated.
| II can't help It,"
'They shall not"'
! 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 it in her
apron.
| II hope the delay will not cost us our
lives" l grumbled. Nov, Ginger, l
want you to 60 off to the right just rs
far as you can and still keep me in
sight. Buck, you go to the left and do
the same. but keep close, for it won't
do for us to call to each other"
| Jack can make all sorts O noises
cats. an owls an birds-so yo' can't tell
EN-" Buck volunteered
/ &c,
use her. You girls keep behind about
the same distance as our fankers.
| When we get to the creek, Ginger Is to
work down 1t 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 go to sleep" remarked Jack,
'and be left behind"
| mot with you In front" said the cap
TAIN looking at her reproachfully.
| gave the order to move. Making as
little noise as possible, keeping each
Othe: 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 hooted
behind me, and so natural was the cry
that, had Inot been expecting It, l should
never have suspected 1t to have come
from the throat Of Jaquellne. 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 man was looking down from
the plateau. We were 50 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 guerrilla, but we
hurried on.
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