Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-05-19
CHAPTER vIf.--continued.

the better 10 throw the partisAns on
thc scent. I listened eager for every
word, but when the horses stirred
behind me was set back
upon the o-ft-recurrent u~nder-thoughi
OF how the gloom did also hide a silent
figure lying prone, with the three bride
reins knotted round its wrist.
But though the unnervinR under
thought would not begone the scene
within the great room held me fast by
eye and ear. The master and his factor
sat apart. their heads together over
the knotty problem of subsistence for
ffe convoy troop. At the table-end,
with the bottle gurgiipg now at one
right hand and now at another, the
three kings men drank confusion TO
the rebels, and in the intervals dis
GUESSED the powder-conyoys route
across the mountains. The senior plot
ter had some map or chart OF his own
Fnakfng, and he was pricking out on
At for Falconnet the route agreed upon
an council with the Cherokees,
Al this cool outlaying OF the working
pfan, some proper sense OF what this
plot OF sayage-arming meant to every
undefended cabin on the frontier seized
and thrilled me. l knew, as every Dor
der-bOrn among as knew, the dismal
horrors OF an Indian massacre and
this these men We're planning was
ereacherous murder on an unwarned
people. All was to be done In mid
night secrecy. Supplied with anmuni-
zion, the Cherokees. led by this Cap
tain Stuart or some other, were first
20 fall upon the over mountain settle
ments. These laid waste. the Indians
were to form a junction with the army
OF invasion, and so to add the torch
and tomahawk and scalping knife to
British swords and muskets.
IL was a plot TO make the blood run
r0ld in my veins, or in the veins of
any man Who knew the cruel temper of
these savages; and when / thought up
I'm the fate OF my poor countrymen be-
yond the mountains, ] saw what lay be-
fore me.
The settlers must be warned In time
60 hight or ny.
But while | listened. with every fac
atty alert to reckon with the task OF
rescue. / take no shame In saying that
the problem baked me. Lacking the
strength TO mount and ride in my W
proper person. there was nothing for
Il but 20 find q messenger; 2 who
would he be In 4 region at the moment
siistraught With wars alarms, and
needing every man for self-defense2
AZ that, I thought OF Jennifer. True,
ne was wounded. too but he would
know how best 90 pass the word to
those I'M peril. l made full sure led
Ind u way. If I could reach him, and
Wltu u tLtN II SttiiifCiCd dpNh W tAiNk
the problem slmplified itself. ! must
nave speech with Dick before the night
was out. though / should have to crawl
ON hands and knees the half score
ifnIles To Jennifer House.
Having decided. | was keen TO be
about Ii while the night should last
the friendly darkness, and some fine
flush OF excitement which again had
come at need TO take the place of
healthful vigor. But when l would
have quit the window to begone upo
my errand a sober second thought de-
Sayed me. If my simple counterpart
should fail, some knowledge OF the
powder-convoy's route would be of
prime Importance. Lacking the time
10 warn the ovef- mountain men. the
next best thing would be TO set some
band OF patriot troopers upon the trail
and SO TO overtake, the convoy. Nay,
on his second thoughts rehearsing the
fast e~xpedient seemed. the better Of the
Awo. since thus the plot would come to
uaught and we would be the gamers
by the capture Of the powder.
So now O know why l should stick
and hans by toe N fnger-tip and
glare across the little space that gaped
between my itching fingers and the bit
or parchment passed from hand to
hand around the tables end. If 1
could make a shift to rob them OF this
map
IL was a desperate chance, but in
the frenzy OF the moment ! resolved
TO take Ii. Their piacings rOun the
table favored me. Gilbert Stair and
the lawyer sat fair across from me, but
they were still intent upon their fgur-
lngs- or the trio at the tables end. the
baronet and the captain had their
hacks to- me. The younger officer sat
across. and he was staring broadly at
my window, though with wine fogged
ryes that saw not far oeyond the bot
tie-neck, I thought.
My one hope hinged upon the bold
ness of a dash. II ] could spring with
sn and sweep the two candlesticks from
1fir 1uDIes rnere Was a chance that 4
fright snatch the parchment in the
darkness n confusion and escape as
& had come.
So began by inches to draw me up
and feel for some better launching hold.
Bat In the midst, for all my care and
caution. l slipped and lost my grip up
on the easement. lost that and got an
other on the wooden shutter opened
back against the outer wall. and then
went down, pulling the shutter from it's
vusfed hinges In crashing clamor at 10
1puae h dead.
AS lie they were quick echoes. other
crashings followed as OF chairs flung
hack. and then the window Just above
me filled with crowding figures. mar
vel that | had the wit to lie quiet as I
had fallen, but / had: and those above.
hooking from a lighted room into the
belly Of the night. saw nothing. Then
Captain Stuart shouted TO his dragoon
horse holder.
.Ifoi Tom Garget; this way. mani"
he cried and when he had no answer.
put a leg across the window seat 10
chamber out. Twas in the very act,
while 1 was watching catlike every
movement. that saw the precious
scrap of parchment IN hts hand.
Here was the chance l had prayed
Tor. Tom Garget's sword had. clattered
down beside me, and with lit 1 sprang
sskoOt and cut q whizzing circle by my
doughty captains ear that made him
srringe and gasp and all hut tumble
out upcn me. The bit OF parchment
giutiered down and IN d trice ! had It
safe.
You may think small OF me, II so
xDu must, my dears. when | confess
what followed after. No man is drawer
han his opportunity. and 4 had little
stomach for a fight with three un-
woundcd men. Hence II was narrowed
now to il bold sortie Tor the horses,
and this I made while vet the captain
hung In ain and sought his foothoid.
with all my brcathless haste It was
mot done too soon, . soon enough.
when + had quickly freed 2 horse from
the dead hand that az = esAersa,a and
sas naklng SHIFT 20 climb into the sad
tain rom MS window. the Others pour
mr. hofly through the gaping doorway
made shift 10 get astride the horse
~taks fkA ooor hoanf with the no}n1