The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-03-09
CHAPTER x.--icontInued.,

cord, weighted IL with a crown from my
pocket. and clambered up 10 The window.
l was going 20 angle for the hangman's
rope.
A dozen times pulled my hook across
the coil before Il hltched. and then n
full thrce-score OF times the rope slipped
away before I had raised IL a dozen
yards. My elbow was raw. almost with
leaning on the sill. and ! began 20 lose
heart and head. when, 10 my delight. the
bodkin caught and held. IL had fastened
on n kink In the rope not far from the
end. began to pull up hand over hand.
trembling all the while like leaf.
At last I caught II. and. slipping back
into the room, pulled IL after me yard
upon yard. My heart went loud and
fast There was nothing TO fasten IL 70
hut an iron staple In the door: that mean,
losing the width OF my cell, some six
feet.
This, however. must be risked. and
made the end fast, lowered the other out
OF the window again and. climbing TO a
sitting posture on the window sill. thrust
out my legs over the gulf.
Thankful was l that darkness had
ktbhs
depths below me. / gripped the rope
and pushed myself inch by inch through
the window. and on, over the ledge. For
a moment dangled. Then, wreathine
my legs round the rope. loosed my left
hand and caught with Il again some six
inches lower. And so down went.
Minute followed minute and left me
still descending. six inches at a time, and
looking neither above nor below. but al
ways at the gray wall that seemed slid
ing up In front OF me. The first dizzi-
ness was over, but horrible aching OF
the arms had taken the place OF IL. Twas
growing intolerable. when suddenly my
legs. that sought TO close round the rope,
found space only. had come TO the
end.
looked down. A yard below my fee,
tho beam OF the gallows cleaned palely
out OF the darkness. Here was my
chance. let my hands slip down the
last foot or so Of rope. hung for n mo
ment. then dropped for the beam.
My feet missed IL. as intended they
should; but l flung both arms out and
caught Il, bringing myself up with jerk.
While yc' ] hung clawing. i heard a
footstep coming through the gateway.
Here was tx. With all speed and 81.
lcnce | drew myself MP 60 the beam.
found a hold with one knee upon IL. got
astride and lay down ut length, natten-
ing my body down against the timber.
The footsteps drew nearer and passed
almost under the gnllows. Twas an
officer. for. as he passed. he called out:
Sergeant Downsl Sergeant Downs
A voice from the guardroom In the bar
bican answered him through the dark.
ness.
why Is not tho watch setf'
''In n minute, sir; IL wants minute 20
six"
Il thought the colonel ordered IL at
half past flyer
In the silence that followed the barbi'
can clock began TO strike. and half n
dozen troopers tumbled out from the
guardroom. The officer returned 10 the
inner ward as they dispersed TO their
posts: and soon there was silence again.
save for the trip OF n sentry crossing
aud rccrossing the pavement below me.
All this while l lay nattcncd along
the beam, scarce daring 20 breathe. But
nj length. when the man had passed be
low for the sixth time. I found heart 10
wiggle myself toward the doorway over
which the gallows protruded. by slow
degrees, and pausiug whenever the fell
low drew near, l crcpt close up 10 the
wall. then, waiting the proper moment,
east my legs over. danglcd for second
or two, swinging myself toward the sill.
flung myself of. and. touching the ledge
with one toe. pitched forward IN the
room.
The effect OF this was 10 give me a
sound crack as l struck the flooring.
which lay about a foot below the level
OF the sill. / picked myself up and
listen'd. Outside the regular tramp Of
the sentry proy'd no had not heard me.
In the room where | stood the flooring
was uneven to the foot. and scatterd
with small pieces OF masonry. Twas one
OF the many chambers in the castle that
had dropp'd into disrcpnir. Cropping my
way with both hands. and barking my
shinS on the loose stones. l found low
yaulted passage that led me into n sec
ond chamber. empty as the first. To my
delight, the door TO this was ajar, with a
riimmer OF light slauting through the
crack. made straight toward IL, aud
pulrd the door softly. IL opcn'd, and
show'd a lantern dimly burning, and the
staircase OF tho keep winding past inc,
up into darkness.
Ny chance was, OF course, 10 descend
which ! did on tiptOe. hearing no sound
The stairs twisted down and down, aud
ended by a stout door with another lamp
shining above Il. After listening a mo-
ment decided 20 be bold. and lifted the
latch. A faint cry Saluted me. ! stood
face 10 face with the jailer's daughter.
The room was n small one. well IT.
and lind about the walls with cups
Twas rs I guessed. n mess room for the
soldiers, and the girl had been securing
one OF tho pewter mugs when my en-
trance startled her. She stood up. whit,
as IL painted. and gasp'd:
"Quick-quick! Down here behind -,
counter for your life!'
There was scarce time 10 drop on my
knees before 4 couple Of troopers loung' d
In. The girl hustled about 60 serve them
while the pair lean'd their elbows or
the counter. and In this easy attitude be-
gan 10 chat.
a shrcwd night!'
AYE. very freezing FROST Lucky
L. nat ntr Wur=k