The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-06-28
rH ApTER xyI.-fContinued.)


WOW we have them before u.s. OBJ
served Henderson, "and merry set of
fellows they seem TO be. Everything
seems TO be in abundance. i can see
large number of horses, and y0nder Is
an officer Of rank--.Col. Ferguson, proba-
bly,
"And that man near him is Cyrus Dix,
doubtless, the same mentioned by Miss
Martin" returned Forstall.
"A little to the right Of the two Off
GERS, observe tent with guard sta
toned around it,
There are prisoners in the tent, per-
haps." suggested Frank.
''Hushw whispered his companion,
pressing Forstalps arm. ''The man
take to be Col. Ferguson and the other,
whom you suppose to be Dix, are APP
preaching us. Down, down upon the
ground, close, close as you can lie /!
They're coming nearer than / could wish,
but never mind, well trust 10 luck"
F'orsfali and Henderson sunk to the
earth and lay prone and still while Fer
guson and Dix advanced until within a
few yards of them, conversing diligently.
II think the plan WI do very wei" !"
remarked Ferguson.
II certainly hope so. colonel, for l
am greatly attached to the GIRL replied
Dix.
"You could not probably appear in a
more interesting character than that OF a
benefactor," added the officer.
"very true, colonel, for Kate Martin
idolizes her father" said Dix.
"You have only to step forward, then,
at the proper moment and befriend her,
to win her eternal gratitude, IL you have
not already secured her esteem" replid
Frguson. THE affair may be very well
managed in this way: In the morning
you can repair to Mr.. Martins, seem
ingIy ignorant that the peace of the fam
fly has In any way been disturbed. You
VIII become indignant when you hear the
story from the rosy lips of your enchant-
ress. In the midst Of your virtuous fury
you will hear the bugles of my detach-
ment, and upon looking from the window
will see me passing the house with my
prisoner seated on horseback in the midst
Of us, securely guarded. In moment
you rush from the dwelling, and unsheath
Ing your sword, plant yourself in The
road directly in front Of us, AID sweal
by all that is great and praiseworthy
that we shall ride over your body, IL we
advance, unless we release the prisoner
without harming his sacred person"
wont something nke this dot" said
Dix, drawing his weapon with theatri
cal flourish. Hold, forbear! IL ye b.
men In the name of Justice and hu
manity, release that venerable man Hold
I say !"
'Very good,' replied the colonel; and
then both laughed immoderately. Il, Of
course, win release the rebel; the daugh
ter. win fall at your feet. and invoke
all manner of blessings upon your mag
nanimous soul. Then she is yours fol
life.
.IIold forbear, In the kings name r
exclaimed Dix, going through with his
part again, and once more indu.ging II
burst Of boisterous laughter.
well show you some acting more eff
fectual than that, my fine fellow!" sait
Forstall, in a whisper.
The surest way to damsel's heart Ii
70 play the hero" resumed Ferguson
'.and you viii certainly appear a real one
n Christian, philanthropist and soldier
an combined"
The parties now turned and walked
from the spot where Forssall and Hender
son were concealed. Dix occasionally stop
ping to 90 through with his part of the
projected farce, an operation that die
laot fail to provoke fresh burst of mer
riment.
"It's time for us to be going" said
Henderson, In an agitated voice, wber
the colonel and his companion had passet
from bearing. II have heard and seer
enough"
The two young men arose and retIrnei
20 the brigade, with the observation ol
the same cautiousness that had f!saracter
lied their going forth.
7t3S
y & -