The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1905-09-08
MouDikeCk, The UI0n-TQneI.
Bv SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
Author Of Jack Robbins Of America" In ths
China Sea- 1.-TWO Gentlemen Of
Hawaii" On a Palss
Charge" Etc.
Copyright, 1898, by ROBERT BonsERs aoHA
CHAPTER TX.

You are TO be put INTO g road gang
this morning, and go out to work on
the public boulevard"
l was known as Number 101. My
keeper impaired the above delightful
information to me on the ninth day
of my Imprisonment.
say delightful because | mean it,
and do not use the word in an ironi-
cal sense The news was indeed de-
lightful and gratifying 1t was what
] had waited for, 1t was the begin
ming of my labor for the state. and
my hopes rose, for now, surely,
Wotld find an opportunity to strike
for my liberty.
The officer in command lost no
time. but put us at once to work.
Most of the prisoners had evidently
been there before, for they seemed to
resuming work that had but recently
been laid down.
After dinner, !. II company with
the same illsmelling ruflian who was
my marching partner was sent some
distance away to bring back supply
OF cement In wagon drawn by a
small horse. rugged, stout little
animal. that did not seem to feel
fatigue.
my heart began to beat violently and
my brain to work quickly, for now,
Thought. the only opportunity | would
get had come.
We Travelled perhaps three miles.
Then we came to n sort of storehouse
or shed. where we stopped The guard
had the key to the shed and handing
IL to me. he orde! sd me to open the
door
exceed my humility and meekness at
that moment.
The stuff used for these roads
proved to be hind of asphalt
brought from the coast farther north,
and stored in the shed until needed
1t was now dry, and lay in piles of
broken humps and blocks.
The guard stood looking on while
my companion and proceeded to
up for our return trip. had resolved
that this return trip would never be
made-at least by me.
Suddenly an overwhelming influ-
ence seized me, and struck the blow
that l had been dreaming of ever
since my incarceration.
l had not the least cause to feel
wurderonsly inclined toward the
guard. but was my liberty against
his life. ast the balance fell my way
! had reached his side with heavy
piece of the asphalt in my hands
Without giving him time to raise
his rife. i lifted the lump and sent 1t
crashing, against his skull.
With 3 groan he fell into . heap on
the floor
| sprang to the horse and began
rapidly to loosen him from the wagon
But now an enemy arose upon whom
had not counted My fellow prison.
er. either from mistaken sense of
duty or from desire to win favor
and perhaps pardon for himself
sought to prevent my departure. File
sprang upon me. and We had hand.
to-hand tussle. in which it seemed at
times as IL was going to get the
worst of it. Backward and forward
we Ewayed. now with his hand at my
throat. now with my fist thrust square
against his jaw. writing. twisting, bit
ing and kicking, until I finally got a
good grip on his throat and nearly
strangled him.
SEEKING him with a mighty effort, I
hurled him against the body of the
guard. and with a last pull at the
straps, freed the horse from his en-.
cumbrance.
Leaping upon his back. banged his
sides with my heels. and away he
wsnt to the northward carrying me
toward freedom.
But the Sandman prisoner was not
yet beaten, heard the crack Of the
guards rifle behind me. and felt a
singing sensation in the back l
was shot.
felt the warm blood oozing down
my back. and began to feel weak and
dizzy. Even though had not been
hit In vital spot, l knew that the
loss of blood would finish me unless l
was able soon to stay It, But to
kept on. The rifle was fired again,
hut this time the distance was too
great for the Sardinian's aim, and I
was not touched.
On. on we went, my little horse aud
I. past woods and past farms. until I
saw the road across the valley, which
had seen from NY prison window,
and which had seemed to lead to
places of refuge in the mountains.
Suddenly my horse stumbled and
fell. My weakness was now so great
that my hands refused to cling; my
legs were as those of man para
iyzed. rolled from the animals back
and fell with thud by the wayside.
Relieved of his burden. the horse re-
covered his footing and plunged for
ward out Of sight.
was stunned by the fall. be-
came conscious Of q burning sensa-
ton In my throat, then an excruciat-
Ing pain II my head. then another in