The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-05-19
cHAP1ER Yll,-continued.

Ith0 UcGN IItSStl v Us NcIS tS'
the bette. TO throw the p%artisans off
the scent / listened Eager for every
word. but when the horses stirred
behind me was set back
upon the oft-recurrent under-tlousht
of how the gloom did also hide a silent
figure lying prone, with the three bride
reins llnotted round its wrist.
But though the unnerving under
thought Would not begone, the scene
within the great room held me fast by
y and car. The master and his factor
sat apart. their heads together over
the knotty problem of subsistence for
the convoy troop. AT the table-end,
with the bottle gurgling now at one
right hand and now at another. the
three kings nen drank confusion to
the rebels, and in the intervals dis
cussed The powder-convoy's route
across the mountains. The senior plot
ter n some map or chart of his own
making. and he was prickins out on
1t for Falconnet the route agreed upon
In council with the Cherokees.
At this cool outlaying of The working
pian, Some proper sense of this
plot of savage-arming meant to every
undefended cabin on the frontier seized
and thrilled me. I knew, as every bor-
der-born among us knew, h dismal
horrors of an Indian massacre: and
this these men were planning was
treacherous murder on an unwarned
people. All vas to be lone in mid
night secrecy. Supplied with ammuni-
ton. the Cherokees, led by this Cap
Jain Stuart or some other. We're first
to fall upon the over"mountain settle
ments. These laid waste. the Indians
were to form a junction with the army
of invasion, and so to add the torch
and tomahawk and scalping knife to
British swords and muskets.
1t was a plot to make the blood run
cold in my veins. or in the veins of
I'M man who knew the cruel temper of
these savages: and when I thought up
on the fate of my poor countrymen be-
yond the mountains, I saw what lay be-
tore me.
The settlers must be warned in time
to fight or fly.
But while / listened, with every fac
ulty alert to reckon with the task of
rescue. I take no shame in saying that
the problem baked me. Lacking the
strength TO mount and ride in my own
proper person. there was nothing for
It but to find n messenger; and who
would he be in n region at the moment
distraught with wars alarms. and
needing every man for self-defense?
At that. I thought of Jennifer. True.
he was wounded. too: but he would
know how best to pass the word to
those in peril. I made full sure he'd
and a way If I could reach him: and
when I a it sfmmered down to his.
the problem sfmplified itself. I must
have speech with Dick before the night
was out. thought should have to crawl
on hands and knees the half-score
miles to Jennifer House.
Having decided. I was keen to be
about it while the night should last
the friendly darkness. and some fine
flush of excitement which again had
come at nee to take the place of
healthful vigor. But When 1 would
quit the window to begone upon
my errand a sober second thought de-
layed me. II my simple counterpart
should fail, some knowledge of the
powder-convoy's route would be of
prime Importance. Lacking the time
to warn the over-mountain men, the
next best thing would be to set some
band Of patriot troopers upon the trail
and 30 to overtake the convoy. Nay.
on this second thoughts rehearsing the
two. since thus the plot would come to
naught and we would be the gamers
by the capture of the powder.
So now you now why l should stick
and hang by toe and finger-tip and
glare across the little space that capped
between my itching fingers and the bit
Of parchment passed from hand to
udHu dIUUIlu tHe ldDle 5 emu. II L
could AL a shift to rob them of this
map
1t was 3. desperate chance. but in
the frenzy of the moment I resolved
to take 1t. Their placings round the
table favored me. Gilbert Stair and
the lawyer sat fair across from me. but
they were still intent upon their figur-
lngs. Of the trio at the tables end, the
barGnet and the captain had their
backs to me. The younger officer sat
across. and he was staring broadly at
my window, though with wine-fogged
eyes that saw not far Beyond the Dot
tle-neck, l thought.
MY one hope hinged upon the bold
ness of a dash. If I could spring with
III and swce the two candlesticks from
the table, there was a chance that 1
might snatch the parchment in the
darkness and confusion and escape as
{ had rome.
So 1 began by inches to draw me UP
and feel for solne better launching hold.
But in the midst, for all my care and
caution, I slipped and lost my grip up
on the easement: lost that and got an
other on the wooden shutter opened
back against the outer wall, and Their
went down, pulling the shutter from its
rusted hinges in crashing ciamor fit to
rouse the dead.
AS II they were quick echoes, other
craShingS Followed as of chairs flung
back; and then the window Just above
me filled with crowding figures. I mar
vel that / had the wit to lie quiet as l
had fallen, but / had: and those above,
looking from a lighted room into the
belly of the night, saw nothing. Then
Captain Stuart shouted to his dragon
householder
"Ho. Torn Garget; this way. mani
he cried: and when he had no answer
put a leg across the window seat to
Chamber out. Twas in the very act
while I was watching catlike every
movement, hat l saw the precious
scrap of parchment in his hand.
Here was the chance l had prayed
Tor. Tom Garget's sword had clattered
down beside me. and with it l sprane
afoot and cut a whizzing circle by my
doughty captains ear hat made hin
cringe and gasp and all out tumble
out upon me. The bit OF parchment
futtered down and in a trice l had i,
safe.
You may think small of me. if sc
you must. my dears. when l confess
what followed after. No mar is Drawer
than his opportunity, and l had little
stomach for a fight with three UNI
wounded men. Hence 1t was narrowed
now to Il bold sortie for the horses
and this l made While yet the captain
hung In air and sought his foothold.
With all my GREATNESS haste it was