The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-09-08

CHAPTER TX.

What is it,"
"You are to be put into road gang
this morning, and go out to work on
the public boulevard"
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 1t,
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,
would 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
know just what to do, as IL they were
resuming work that had but recently
been laid down.
After dinner, I. in company with
the same ill-smelling rufian who was
my marching partner, was sent some
distance away to bring back supply
or cement In wagon drawn by a
small horse. rugged, stout little
animal. that did not seem to feel
fatigue.
AS we left the main force behind,
my heart began to beat violently and
my brain to work quickly, for now, l
thought, the only opportunity would
get had come.
We travelled perhaps three miles.
Then we came to a sort of storehouse
or shed. where we stopped. The guard
had the key to the shed, and, handing
It to me. he ordered me to open the
door.
I did as I was told. Nothing could
exceed my humility and meekness at
that moment.
The stun used for these roads
proved to be a kind of asphalt
brought from the coast farther north,
and stored in the shed until needed
Il was now dry, and lay in piles Of
broken Jumps and blocks.
The guard stood looking on while
my companion and l proceeded to
carry the stuff to the wagon and load
up for our return trip. had resolved
that this return trip would never be
made-at least by me.
Suddenly an overwhelming infiu-
ence seized me, and struck the blow
that had been dreaming Of ever
since my incarceration.
had not the least cause to feel
murderously inclined toward the
guard, but 1t was my liberty against
his life. and the balance fell my way
l had reached his side with q 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 q groan he fell into q heap on
the door.
I 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
or. either from q mistaken sense Of
duty or from q desire to win favor
and perhaps pardon for himself,
sought to prevent my departure. He
spuang upon me, and we had hand
to-hand tussle, in which 1t seemed at
times as II I was going to get the
worst OF II. Backward and forward
We swayed, now with his hand at my
Throat. now with my fist thrust square
against his jaw. writhing. twisting, bit
Ing ana kicking, until finally got a
good grin on his throat and nearly
strangled him.
Seisiag him with mighty effort, I
hurled him against the body Of the
guard, and with last pull ct the
straps. freed the horse from his en-
cumbrance.
Leaping upon his back, banged his
sides with my heels, and away he
went to the northward. carrying me
toward freedom.
yet beaten. | heard the crack Of the
guards ride behind me, and felt q
stinging sensation In the back. I
was shot.
felt the warm blood oozing down
my back, and began to feel weak and
dizzy. Even though had not been
hit ii vital spot. I knew that the
loss OF blood would finish me unless
was able soon to stay 1t. But to
halt now would be death anyhow. and
kept on. The rife was fred again,
but this time the distance was too
great for the Sardinian's aim, and I
was not touched.
On, on we went, my little horse and
I. past woods and past farms, until
saw the road across the valley, which
had seen from my prison window.
and which had seemed to lead to
paaces Of refuge in the mountains.
Suddenly my horse stumbled and
fen. Ny weakness was now 40 great
thAt ~ bands refused 70 cling: nv
lee1 we're as those OF ! man nara
iyxed. rolled from the animals back
ard fell with ! thud by the wayside
Relieved Of his burden, the horse re-
o0vered his footing and plunged for.
ward ont Of sight.
Wag stunned BY the fall. ~.