Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-02-10
CHAPTER XXI.

oner While they were making ready.
"A word of business, your lord
ship" said as he came out, yawning,
with the guard.
"Ah, well" said he, with SILVER,
II hope 1t is not SO cold as the air."
at Is hopeful; it is cheering" was
my answer.
"And the topic?"
An exchange-for the ladies'"
He thought moment, slapping tho
dust off him with q glove.
"This kind of thing is hard on the
trousers" he remarked carelessly. II
will consider; think it could be ar
ranged. Meanwhile. / give you my
word of honor, you need have no
worry"
We were off at daybreak with our
prisoners; there were six of them In
all. We put fold of linen over the
eyes of each, and roped them all to-
gether, so that they could sit or stand,
as might please them, in the wagon
box.
Its barbarity," said his lordship, AZ
We put on the fold. you Yankees
never knew how to treat prisoner"
Till you learnt us" said D'ri, quick
", Gould MT never ferglt tibet lesson.
ut he'd my way bout you, d haul We
up t tn top o. thet air dead pine over
yender, n let We slide down."
Rather too steep, l should saw"
said his lordship, YEARLY.
Eye would MT need no grease" said
D'ri, with a chuckle.
We were four days going to the har-
Dor. My father and his men came
with us. and he told us many a tale,
that journey, of his adventures in tho
old war. We kept our promise, turn
ing over the prisoners a little before
shutdown of the 18th. Each was given
2 great room and every possible COM
fort. ! arranged soon for the release
Of all on the safe return of the ladies.
T. the evening Of the 18th his lord
ship sent for me. He was a bit nerv-
GUS, and desired a conference with the
general and me. De Chaumont had
been over to the headquarters that day
In urgent counsel. He was weary OF
delay and planning an appeal to the
French government. Gen. Brown
was prepared to give the matter all
furtherance In his power and sent
quickly for the Englishman. They
brought him over at nine o'clock. We
uncovered his eyes and locked the door,
and gave him crack at the old Ma
deira," as they used to say. and made
him as comfortable as might be at the
CHEEKY fireside Of the general.
"l've been thinking" said his lord
ship, after drink and word of cour-
tesy. never saw man Of better
breeding or more courage. am free to
say" you may not agree it is posi-
BILE. but anyhow, have been trying to
think. You have been decent to me.
I don't believe you are such bad lot,
after all; and while should be sorry
to have you think me tired Of your
desire to hasten our plans
Q little. propose an exchange Of
Of"
He hesitated. whipping the ashes off
his cigar.
"Well-arst Of confidence" he went
on. Il will take your word If you will
take mine"
I'm what matter?" the general in
Quired.
THAT Of the ladies and their relief"
said he. "a little confidence will
will
Grease the wheels of progress?" the
general suggested, smiling.
quite So" he answered laziIy. ITO
begin with, they are not 80 miles away,
If l am correct in my judgment Of this
locality
There was moment of silence.
MY dear sir" he went on presently,
"this ground is quite familiar to me.
l slept In this very chamber long ago.
But that is not here nor there. Day
after tomorrow, little before mid.
night, the ladies will be riding on the
shore pike. You could meet them and
bring them out to a schooner, sup
pose-if-"
He stopped again, putting thought
fully.
If we could agree" he went on.
Now this would be my view of it:
You let me send a messenger for the
ladies. You would have to take them
by force somehow: but, you know. !
could make it easy-arrange the time
and place, no house near, no soldiers,
no resistance but that Of the driver,
who should not share our confidence
no danger. You take them to the
boats and bring them over; but,
first
He paused again, looking at the
smoke-rings above his head in a
dreamy manner.
First my chief repeated.
Well" said he, leaning toward him
with little gesture, ITO me the word
of gentleman is sacred. know you
are both gentlemen. I ask for your
word of honor"
ITO what effect2" the general
queried
THAT you will put us safely on Brit
ish soil within day after the ladies
have arrived" said he.
ut is irregular and a matter. of some
difficulty" said the general. Whom
would you send with such message?"
We'll. I Should say some French
woman could do 1t. There must be
one here who is clever enough"
i know the very one" said I, with
enthusiasm "She is as smart and cum
ming as they make them"
Very we'll" said the general; that
Is but one step. Who is to capture
them and take the risk of their own
heads?"
"D'ri and ! could do it alone" was