Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-08-11
cHApTER xxu.-continusd.

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-b be defenders, IL
moved us v~ariousiy, each after his
kind; nevertheless, think the
same thought lighted instantly
upon each OF us. Though we
might not reach and rescue her, her
sharpest peril would be blunted upon
the quieting OF this fiend-in-chief.
SO Ephraim Yeates stretched himself
face downward In the damp grass and
brought his long rifle to bear, while the
Indian sprang up n poised his hatch
ct for the throw; but neither lead nor
steel was loosed because the light was
poor, and a hair's breadth swerving
OF the aim might spare the man and
STAY the woman. 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. But
when we would have broken cover. the
old borderer dropped his weapon and
gripped US with a hand for each.
mo, no; non o. that" he whis-
pered, hoarsely. "Ye'd drown like rats,
and we can't afford no sech foolish
sakerioes on the altar o. a bunker
down and lie clost: IL there's any dying
TO be done, we've got a good half o. the
night ahead OF We, and there's all o. to-
morrow that Amt teched yet"
II takes a pitiless avalanche of words
10 spread these i%nterlinear doings out
for you but you are 10 conceive that
the pause is mine n 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.
II am glad / know you now for what
you are, Captain Falconnet. she said,
coldly. And then: You can take me
with you, IL you choose, having the
brute strength to make good so much
OF your threat. But that Is all. You
canno take for yourself what | have
given to another"
Cannot, you say" He clapped his
hat on smartly and whistled for his
horse holder; and when the man was
gone to fetch the mounts for the wom-
en-, he finished out the sentence. List
EN- you, In your turn, Mistress Spitfre.
| shall take what l list, and before you
see your fathers house again, you'll
beg me on our knees, as other women
have. 10 marry you for very shame's
sake!"
II was then that Uncanoola did the
skilfulest bit OF jugglery il has ever
been my lot TO witness. Posturing like
one OF those old Grecian discus throw
ers. he sent his scalping- knife handle
foremost TO glide snake-like through
the graAs 10 stop at Margery's feet.
Though I think she knew not how 1t
got there, she saw it. and the courage
OF the sight helped her to say, quickly:
When Ii comes TO that, sir, l shall
know how TO keep faith with honor"
His laugh was the harshest moekery
or mlrth. You will keep faith with
me-, dear lady; do you hear? Other
wise
He turned to take the black mare
from his mar At this my brave n
set her foot upon the weapon In the
grass.
Il have no faith TO keep with you,
captain Falconnet." she said.
He struck back v~iciopsly. Then. by
heaven, you'd best make the occasion.
K has happened, ere this, that a lady
as dainty as you are has become a
plaything for N Indian camp. 1t lies
with me TO save you from that, my
mistress"
she stopped to gather her skirts for
mounting, and in the act secured and
hid the knife. So her answer had in Ii
khe fine s~teadfastness OF one who may
make desperate terms with death for
donors sake.
Il thank you for the warning. Cap
lain Falcounet,y she said, facing him
bravely to the last, when the time
r@ines. mayhap the dear God will give
me leave TO die as my mothers daugh-
Ter SHOULD"
"Bah," said he: and with that he
whistled for his troopers; n while
we looked. my lear lady and her tire
woman were helped upon their horses,
and al the leaders word of command
the escort formed upon h captives as
a center. A moment later the little
glade. with the smoldering embers of
the lodge fire to prick out It's limits
IN dusky red. was empty. and on the
midnight stiffness OF the forest the
diminishing hoofbeats OF the horses came
fainter and fainter till the distance
swallowed them.
Then II was that my poor lad, fam
ine-mad and frenzled, rose up to
curse me bitterly
Nov may all the devils In hell drag
you down 10 everlasting torments.
John Ireton, for your c~old-hearted
caution that made us los when we had
good hope TO winl" he cried. Zone
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 ais well; and throwing him
self down in the wet grass, he would
eke out the bitter words with such raw
lngs and sobbings as bubble up I'm sheer
abandonment OF rag and misery.
xXrIT.
HOW WE KEPT THE FEAST OF
BITTER HERBS.
YOU may be sure that Richard Jen-
ALTERS bitter reproachings came home
10 me In sharpest fashion. the more
since now I saw how we had lost our
chance b Hegitctifg the commonest
precautions. Having determined e at
tack. the merest novice OF a general
would have moved his forces to HI
nearest point; would have had HIS
scouts search but the ford beforehand:
and, above all, would eve lave de-
laved the blow beyond the earliest
moment OF the enemy's unwatchfuiness.
SO now, when all was lost, I fell TO
kneading out this sodden dough OF aft
@rwit with Ephraim Yeates: but when
4 sought 70 carry on the blame as mine
: by right. the old borderer would not
Agive me leave.
Fair and easy, Capn John; fair and
easy" he protested. Lets give thai
old sarpent. which is the devil and
Satan, his dues. Ez | allow, there was
the whole enduring passed. OF us &c
ricollect all them things. TO be sure
we had our warnings, mistrusting all
along thai this here dad-biame' boss
Ga rtajn had his inger In the Bic. But
I4Txgnoaf We had untert a man ~ Gof