The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-10-20

CHAPTER xxxvII.-continuea.

CHAPTER NNNNII.-Continued.
God save the king,'
The bay SHE'D suddenly, standing
with nostrils a-quiver; and I had to
look closely to make out the little
brown dot of humanity clad in russell
homespun crouching in the path, its
childish eyes wide with fear and its
lips parted to shrill again: God save
the king!"
l threw a stiff leg Yer the cantle
and swung down to go on one knee
to my stout challenger. l can never
make you understand, my dears, how
the sight of his helpless waif appear-
ing thus unaccountably in the heart of
the great forest mellowed and softened
ne. TWAS a little maid, not above
3 or 4 years old, and with a face that
Master Raphael might LAY taken as a
pattern for one of his seraphs.
What know you of the king, little
one?" I asked.
"Gran'dad told me-" she lisped. IF
I was to see a soldier-man l must say,
quick, God save the king or 'haps he'd
eat me. Isis you hungry, Mister Sol
dier-man2"
Truly 1 am that, sweetheart; but l
don't eat little maids. Where is your
grandfather"
"Ain't got any gran'farver; l said
'~gran'dad.''
well, your %grand'dad, then; can you
take me to him?"
Il don't know. 'Haps you'd eat
him.
mo fear of that, my dear. Do look
as If l ate people"
She gave me q long scrutiny out of
the innocent eyes and then put up two
little brown hands to be taken. II
tired" she said; and my sore heart
Went warm within me when l took her
in my arms and cuddled her. After a
long-drawn sigh of contentment, she
said: My name Polly; what's yours?"
You may call me Jack, If you
please-Captain Jack, if that comes the
easier. And now will o take me to
your grand'dad?"
She nodded, and 1 spoke to the bay
and mounted, still holding her closely
in my arms n
Polly" | said; for besides being, as l
would fear, far out of the way to Gill
bert Town, the last hilltop to the rear
had given me another sight of my
shadowing pursuers riding hard as if
they mean to overtake me.
The little maid sat up straight on
the saddle norm and looked about her as
If TO get her bearings.
THAT way" she said, pointing short
to the right; and l wheeled he horse
into IA blind path that wound in and
out among the trees for a long half
mile, TO end at a little clearing on the
banks of Il small stream.
In the midst of the clearing was a
rude log cabin; and in the open door
way stood a man bent and aged, a pa
triarciai figure with white hair falling
to his shoulders and a snowy beard
such as Aaron might have Worn. AT
sight of me the old watcher disap-
peared within the house, but a moment
later he was out again, lingering the
lock of an ancient Queen's-arm.
l drew rein quickly, and the little
maid sat up inc saw the musket.
Don't shoot, Gran'dad!" she cried
He's Cappy Jack, and he doesn't ca;
folkses."
AZ this the old man came to meet us
though still with the clumsy musket
held at the ready.
These be parlous times, SIR he
said, half in apology, l thought. AND
then: You have made friends with
my little maid, n l owe you some
what for bringing her safe hcme.'
Nay" said 1, the debt is mine. mas
much as I lave the little one for IN!
friend. 'Tis long since l have held 4
trusting child in my arms, l do assure
you. sir"
He bowed az grandly as any cour
tier. 81 hope her trust is not mis-
placed, sir; though for the matter OF
tina we have little enough now to take
or leave
, You have given it all to the king?'
said I, feeling my way as l had neet
to.
His eyes flashed and he drew himsel.
up proudly.
THE king has taken all, sir, as yor
see" this with a wave of the hand tc
point me to the forlorn homestead
There is naught left me saw this poo
hut and my little maid
Taken 0 say? Then you are
not of the kings side"'
He came a step nearer and faced ms
boldly. Listen, sir; two Of my son:
den, and the butcher Banastre Tarleto!
slew the other two at Fishing Creek
A month since a band of rowing saw
ages, armed with King Georges mus.
kets, mind you, sir, came down upo1
US at Northby, and this little maid:
mother
He stopped and choked; n TIL,
child looked up into my face with he
blue eyes full of nameless terror. "Oh
l want my manray!" she said. won
you find her for me, Cappy Jack?"
1 slipped from the saddle, still clasp
ing the little one tightly in my arms.
Enough, sir" I said, when coul'
trust myself to speak. This sam
King Georges minions have made m,
a homeless outcast, TOO. | live but tt
give some counter stroke, il l may"
Hal" said the old a s~tarti1l:
back; then you are for our side? Blu
your uniform"
rs that OF an Austrian officer, NJ.
good sir, which / should right galdl.
exchange for the buff and blue, bu
that I can serve the cause better il
this"
He dropped the oueen's-arm, tool
the child from me II babe me wei
come to his cabin and all it held. Blu
I was not minded to make him a share
In my private peril.
NO" said 1. Tell me how 1 ma,
And Gilbert Town and Major Fergu
sons rendezvous, and l will ride willis
l can see the way"
He looked at me narrowly. "Fergu
n son left Gilbert sTown some days since
II tits the place you seek, you are gon
far out of your way; if It's the man
"'Tis the man." l cut in hastily.
The patriarch shook his head
.If you be of our side, as you say, h
viii hang o out of land"
sol can make my errand good.
care little how soon he hangs me-"
il "And what may your errand be
Mayhap i can help YOU
1T Is to bring MIN to a stand till tn
mountain men car cvertake him."
The old man trembied with excite
ment like a boy going into his first bat
tie.
An. il you could-if you could!'' h
cried. but It's too late now. Listen