The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-09-29

upon me a small purse OF gCld pieces
y treasure rare enough in patriot hands
in that impoverished time.
When all was done. two Of my late
captors We're ordered to set me straight
in the road: and some half-hour past
noon | had shaken hands with the big
fniiow in homespun who had been so
bent upon hanging me without benefit
OF clergy. had crossed the river. and
was making the first looping in a de-
tour which should bring me into Char
iotla from the westward.
Twas drawing on toward evening.
and | had reurussed the river a mile
OF more below Appleby Hundred, when
| began to meet the outposts of the
Hritis, army | was promptly halted
by the first of these. but my borrowed
uniform and q ready word or two pass
ed me within the lines as a courier rid
ing post to headquarters from Major
Ferguson in the west.
Ire lieutenant in command of the
first yedatt- Hire was not o~Ver-curiols
H.. asked me q few questions about the
ma inr's plans and dispositions-ques-
tiunS which. hanks to Colonel Davies
Information | was able to answer glib
IL enough. swallowing my tale whole.
and was SO obliying as to give me the
password for the night to help me
through tho innter sentry lines.
Thus fortified. ! rode on boldly, and
having the countersisn the difficulties
vanished. Wien | Mas come" to town
it was We'll past candle lighting: and
the patrol was out in force. But by
dlnt of using the password freely j
made my way uahindefad to the house
OF the gentleman to whom Colonel pa
vie's letter accredited me.
Here. however. the difficulties began.
Though the camp Of thu army lay Just
without III" town to the southwark. the
officers Wase quarteled in every house
and that Of Colonel Davies friend was
full to o~yerlowing. What was To be
done W. knew not. but at the last mo-
ment my friend friend thought OF an
exEedieut and wrote a note for me-
whilst | waited. half in hiding, in the
outer hail.
""Iia Il desperate .hance. but these
are desperate times" said my would
be helper. 81 ann sending you TO the
town house of one of our plantation
s"isneul'S-a man who is 'iSh, flesh or
fowl. as his interest demands. | hear
he came in today To take protection,
and there is Il chanUe that he Wlll
shelter you for the sake of your red
coat aud IL gold piece or Two. But |
warn you, you must be what you an-
peat to he n soldier of tn" king-and
not what this note of colonel Davie i
says you are
Seeing Il wide field Of danser-chancea
III this haphaZard!ng, would have
asked more about this trimming gent:e-
man tu whom | was to be handel on:
but at that monlent there came a thun-
derirg at the door. and my anxious
host was fain to hustle me out through
the kitchen as he could. catching up a
black boy on the way to be my guide
'tioi speed you" he said at parting
Make your footing good for the nigh,
If you can. and We'll see What can he
done tomorrow. I'll send your port.
manteau around in the morning. if sc
be Mr.. PettigreW has i'll
With that l was out in the nigh;
again. turning and doubling after my
guide. who seemed to be greatly
afeard lest | should come nigh enough
to east an evil eye upon him.
Twas but a little distance we had IL
go. and | had no word out of my blacf
rascal till we reached the door stone
of a familiar mansion but one remove
from me corner of the court hous,
green. Here. With a suffering DID
dis de house, Massa,' he fled and ief
me to enter as ! could.
Since the street was buSiiy astir Will
redcoat officers and men coming ano
going. and any squad of these might d.
the questioners to doubt my t~hreadbar'
courier tale. ! lost no time in runnin.
UP lne Steps anu ndlIlnleTlnS d pea
with the heavy knocker. Through tn
side lights l could see that the wild
entrance hall was for the moment un
occupied: but at the knocker lifting
had a fitting glimpse Of some one;
little nan all in sober ~black-comini
down the stair. There was no immedi
ate answer to my peal. but when
would have knocked again the doc
was swung back and | stepped quick
ly within to find myself face to fac
with-Margery.
l know not which of the two Of u
was the more d~umbfounded; but this
do know; hat l was still speeches
and fair witless when she swept me
low-dipped curtsy and gave me IN
greeting.
Il bid you good evening. Capital
%Ireton," she said. coldly: and the
with still more Of the frost of unwe
come in her voice: ITO what may W
be Indebted for his honor?"
Now. chilling as these words wer
they thrilled me to my finger tips. ft
they were the first she had spoken
me since the nighto Of my offending in tt
black gorge of the far-off wester
mountains. None the less. they wei
blankly BILE. and had II
door been open 1 should nave vanishe
!, as I had come. OF all the houses
: the town this was surely the last
: should have run to for refuge had
: known the name of Its master: and
was some upfashing of this though
!. that helped me find nv tongue.
: II never guessed this was your Il
/. TIERS house" l ~stammeTed, bowling 10
, to match her curtsy. Il beg you w!
pardon me. and let me go as | came
Continued Next Weekly