Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-11-03
The MASTER OF APPLEBY|



! major was reaching ror the packet
nay, when he Lad 1t in his hand
started back with a warning cry, Civ
ing that imitation of the ominous
shir-r-r OF a rattlesnake which had
mor than once got me a cutting from
my father.
In any crisis less tremendous /
should hav roared a-laughing TO see
the doughty major and my good friend
the lieutenant vie with each other In
their skippings TO escape the unseen
enemy. But it was no laughing mo-
ment for me. At a fash my sword
was out and / was hacking hither and
yon at the imaginary foe. In the hurly-
burly / contrived TO sprawl all across
the workbench table, and the packet
which would have killed my plot-and,
belize, the plotter as well--was secured
and quickly Juggled into hiding.
"Damme! see now what you've done;
you've split my br~eech-charger all
about the placer rasped the major,
when all was over. And then: Who
the devil are we, anyway; and do
We want wi me2"
/ clicked my heels, saluted, and gave
him the express from my Lord-the
right one, this time. He tore off the
wrapping, swore a hearty soldier oath
when he read the fore part Of the let
ter and clapped his leg joyfully, like the
brave gentleman that he was, when he
came to the postscriptum.
"Ye're a fine fellow, Captain; we've
brought me good news" he said; then
he hade an aide call Captain de Pey-
ster, his second in command, and in
the same breath gave Tybee and me in
charge 10 an ensign for our billeting
FOR the night.
You will conceive that / was over
joyed at this seemingly safe n easy
planting of the petard which was to
blow my Lord Corvallis plans into
the air; and in anticipation / saw the
tide turning battle and heard the huz-
zas of the m%ountaineer victors. But
tits a good old saw that cautions
against hallooing before you are out Of
the wood. Captain de Peyster was
come, and Tybee and l were taking u
leave of the major, when there was a
sudden commotion among the guards
without, and a little Ia in black, his
wig awry and his clothing torn by the
rough man-handling of the sentries,
burst into the tent.
Seize him! seize him! he Is a rebel
spy" he shrieked, pointing at me.
AS you would guess, all talk paused
at this dramatic interruption, and all
eyes were turned upon me. Had the
little viper been content to rest his
charge pon the simple accusation, I
know what might have happened. But
when he got his breath he burst out in
a TRADE of the foulest abuse, cursing
ms up one side and down the other,
and ending in a gibbering fit of rage
that left him pallid and foaming at the
lips-and gave me my cue.
IT'S the little mailman of Queens
borough" l said, coolly, explaining to
the bluff major. His mania takes the
form of a curious hatred for me,
though / know not why. Two days
since. he was put In arrest by my
Lords authority for threatening my
life and that of his masters daughter.
Now, 1t would seem, he has broker jail
and followed me hither.'
"A lunatic, eh? He looks ii, every
inch" said the major: and the black
guard lawyer, hearing my counter ac-
cusation, was doing his best to give it
a v Of likelihood by fighting fran
tically with the two soldiers who had
followed him into the tent.
"Out wi him." commanded the ma
jor. We've no time to foolish away
wi a Bedlamite. Take him away and
peg him out and gi' him a dash o.
water to cool his head
Pengarvin fought like a fury, and his
rage defeated all his at
tempts TO say calmly the words which
might have got him a hearing. So he
was hauled away. splitting and strug-
Cling like a trapped wildcat; and when
We were rid of him the major bade us
good night again.
Tybee held his peace like a good fell
low till we had rolled us in our blan-
kets before one of the camp fires. But
Just as | was dropping asleep he broke
out with. II would you might tell'me
what piece Of rebel v~illainy this is
that I've been a winking accomplice
to-"
laughed. Ills a thing to make Ma
jor Ferguson rejoice. as you saw. Ard
surrey, 1t can be no great vilIainy TO
give a man what he's thirsting for.
Bide your time, Lieutenant. and you
shall see the outcome"
CHAPTER XXXIX.
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