Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-01-06
CHAPTER XII.

found the door, and D'ri flung our
buds" into the darkness that lay be-
yond it. Then he made down the lad
der and l after him. 1t was pitch
dark in the cellar-a deep, dank place
with rank odor of rotting potatoes.
We CROPPED our way to a corner and
stood listening. We heard the clink
of spurs on the stone step.
"Ah, my good woman" said a man
with marked English accent, "have
you seen any Yankees? Woods are
full of them around here. No? Well,
by Jove, you're a good-looking woman,
Will you give me a kiss7"
He crossed the floor above us. and
she was backing away.
Come, come, don't be SO shy, my
pretty woman" said he, and then we
could hear her struggling up and down
the floor. I was climbing the ladder,
in the midst of it, my face burning
with anger and D'ri was at my heels.
AS the door opened saw she had fall
len. The trooper was bending to kiss
her. I had him by the collar and had
hauled him down before he discovered
us. In twinkling D'ri had stripped
him Of sword and pistol. But 1t was
one of the most hopeless situations in
all my life. Many muzzles were point
ing at US through the door and win
dow. Another hostile move from either
would have ended our history then
and there. let go and stood back,
The man got to his feet-a handsome
soldier in the full uniform Of British
captain.
"Ah, there's a fine pair!" he said
coolly, whipping leg of his trousers
with his glove. II ii teach you better
manners, my young fellow. Some O.
those shipwrecked Yankees" he added,
turning to his men. IF they move
without an order, pin 'em up to the
wall"
He picked up his hat leisurely, step
ping in front of D'ri.
Nov, my obliging friend" said he,
holding out his hand, II II trouble you
for my sword and pistol"
D'ri glanced over at me, an ugly
look in his eye. He would have fought
! to his death then and there II had
given him the word. He was game to
the core when his blood was up, the
same old D'ri.
Don't fight" I said.
He had cooked the pistol and stood
braced, the sword in his right hand.
noticed a little culver in the great
II Of h{c OF -
that point Of steel shoot, with quick
stab, into the scarlet blouse before
me.
Shoot m be damned" said D'ri.
"Fore l die We IL hev hole er tew n
tibet air karliss O. yourn. Shan't give
up no weepon tell we've gin me yer
word ye III let tibet air woman alone"
I expected volley then. A very
serious look came over the face Of the
captain. He wiped his brow with a
handkerchief. could see that he had
been drinking.
"Ah, see! You have an interest in
her. Well, my man, want no share
in your treasures. accept the condi-
ton"
Evil as was the flavor Of this poor
concession, D'ri made the best of it.
She IS an honest woman for all I
know" said he, handing over the
weapons. "Ain't a-goin' t see no ledy
mishused-nut eff can help it."
We gave ourselves up hand and
foot to the enemy; there was no way
out Of It, have read in the story
books how men of great nerve and skill
have slaughtered five to one. escaping
with no great loss of blood Well, Of
a brave man like to believe good
things. My own eyes have seen what
has made me slow to doubt story Of
prowess that has even the merit Of
possibility. But when there are only
two of you, and one without arms,
and you are in a corner, and there are
10 pistols pointing at you few feet
away, and as many sabers ready to
be drawn, say no power less remark
able than that Of God or novelist
can bring you out Of your difficulty.
You have your choice Of two evils
surrender or be cut to pieces. We
had neither Of us any longing to be
slashed with steel and bored with bull
let's, and to no end but good epitaph.
They searched the cellar and found
our clothes. and wrapped them in bum
die. Then they tied our hands behind us
and took us along the road ON which
had lately ridden. A crowd came jeer-
ing to the highway as we passed the
| little village. 1t was my great fear that
somebody would recognize either one
| or both Of us.
-Four of our men were sitting in a
rd-house at the British camp. After
noon mess teamster drove up with q
big wagon. Guards came and shacklet
| US in pairs, Dri being wrist to wris
with me. They put chain and bal
on D'ri's leg also. wondered why, fol
| no other was treated with like respect
| Then they bundled us all into the wa
gon, now surrounded by Impatient
cavalry. They put a blindfold over the
eyes of each prisoner, and went away
| at a lively pace. We rode a long time
as it seemed to me. and by and by
knew we had come to city, for
could hear the passing of many wagons
and the murmur of crowd. Some
were shouting, Shoot the ID Yam.
kees!" and now and then a missile
\ struck among us. There is nothing sc
| heartless and unthinking as crowd
the world over. could tell presently
by the creak of the evener and the
stroke of the hoofs, that we were
climbing long hill. We stopped short.
| ly; then they began helping us out
They led us forward few PAGES, the