The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-08-11
THE MASTER OF APPLEBY|
f-- BY Francis Lynde. -=
CHAPTER xxII.-Continued.

The effect of this fierce TRADE, poured
out in a torrent of hot words, was less
marked upon his helpless captive than
upon her four would-be defenders. II
kind; nevertheless, l think the
same thought lighted instantly
upon each of us. Though VIZ
might not reach and rescue her, hel
sharpest peril would be blunted upon
the quieting of this fiend-in-chief.
So Ephraim Yeates stretched himself
face downward in the damp grass anC
brought his long rifle to bear, while the
Indian spranS up and poised his hatch
ct for the throw. but neither lead no,
steel was loOSed because the light was
poor, and q hairs breadth swerving
of the aim might spare the mar and
Stay the oman AS for the two of us
who must needs come within %stabbing
distance, the same thought set us both
to stripping coats and foot-clogs for
a plunge into the barrier torrent. Blu,
when we would have broken cover, the
Old Dorderer dropped his weapon and
gripped us with q hand for each.
NO, no; none O that he wills
pered, hoarsely. "Ye'd drown like rats
and we can't afford no sech foolish
sakerfices on the altar O. Baal. Hunker
down and lie clost: If there's any dying
to DC done, we've got a good half O the
night ahead OF ye, and there's all O. to-
morrow n a amt teched yet"
1t takes d pitiless avalanche of words
to spread these interlinear doings out
for you: but you are to conceive that
me pause is mine and not the actions.
While the old man was yet pulling us
down, my fearless little lady had drawn
back a pace and was giving the villain
his answer
Il am glad l know you now for what
you are, Captain Falconnet," she said,
coldly. And then: You can take me
with you, if you choose, having the
brute strength to make good so much
OF your threat. But that is all. You
cannot AXE for yourself what / have
given TO another"
Cannot, you say?" He clapped his
hat on smartly n whistled for his
householder; and when the mar was
n to fetch the mounts for the wom-
en-, he finished out the sentence. List
en- you, in your turn. Mistress Spitfire.
i shall take what l list, and before you
see your fathers house again, you'll
beg me on your knees. as other women
nave, to marry you for very shame's
sake!"
1t was then that Uncanoola did the
skllfl;lest bit of jugglery it has ever
been my lot to witness. Posturing like
one of those old Greclan discus-thruw-
ers. he sent his scalping-knife handle
foremost to glide snake-like through
the grass to stop at Margery's feet.
Though l think she knew not how it
got there, she saw it, and the courage
OF the sight helped her to say quickly:
"Nhen it comes to that. sir, l shall
know how to keep faith with honor"
His laugh was the harshest mockery
OF mirth. You will keep faith with
me, dear lady; do you hear? Other
wise
He turned to take the black mare
frIy1l bic ,,1D,
set her foot upon the weapon in the
grass.
Il have nc faith to keep with you,
Captain Falconnet." she said,
He struck back viciously. Then. by
heaven, you'd best make the OCCASION.
1t has happened, ere this, that a lady
as dainty as you are has become a
piaything for an indian camp. 1t lies
with me TO save you from that, my
mistress"
She stoopeI to gather her skirts for
mounting, and in the act secured and
hid the knife. So her answer had in it
the fine steadfastness of one who ma
make desperate terms with death for
honor's sake.
Il thank you for the warHing. Cap
tain ~F'alconnet," she said, facing him
bravery to the last. when the time
comes, nraynap the lear God will give
me leave to die as my mothers daugh-
ter should
BAH" said lie, and with that he
wnlStled Tor his troopers; and while
we looked, my dear lady and her tire
woman were helped upon their horses,
at the leaders word of command
the escort formed upon the captives as
a center. A later the little
glade, with the smoldering embers of
the lodSe fire to prick out it's limits
in dusky red, was empty, and on the
n111nl{-h Sfil1BACC Of Tho f~,~rt 49,
minishing hoofbeats of the horses came
fainter and fainter till the distance
swallowed them.
Then it was hat my poor lad, fam
ine-mad and frenzied, rose up to
curse me bitterly.
Nov may all the devils in hell drag
you down to everlasting torrents,
John ~1reton, for YOU cold-hearted
caution that made us lose when we had
good hope 10 win!" he cried. "One
little hour begged for, and that hour
had fought her battle and set her free.
But now"
He broke off in the midst. choking
with what miserable despair knew,
and shared as well; and throwing him
self down in the wet grass, he would
exc out the bitter words with such raw
lngs and sobbings AS bubble up in sheer
abandonment of rage and misery.
NNl11.
HOW WE KEPT THE FEST OF
BITTER HERES.
You may be sure that Richard Jer-
nlfer's bitter reproachings came home
to me in sharpest fashion, the more
since now l saw how we had lost our
chance by neglecting the
precautions. Having determined to at
tack. the merest novice of a general
would nave moved his forces to the
nearest point; would have had his
scouts search out the ford beforehand;
and, above all, could never have de-
layed the GLOW beyond the earliest
momen of the enemy's unwatchfulness.
So now, when all was lost, I fell to
kneading out this sodden dough of aft
erwit with Ephraim Yeates; but when
1 sought to carry off the blame as mine
by right, the old borderer would not
give me leave.
Fair and easy, Cap'n John; fair and
easy" he protested. Lets give that
Ole sarpent, which is the devil and
Satan, his dues, EZ l allow, there was
the whole enduring passel of US to
ricollect all them things. To be sure,
WE had our warnings, m~istrusting all
along that this here dad blame boss
captain had his finger in the pie. But,
lawzee! we had ne'er a man O. God