Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-03-08

%~
MSSS
L stole upstairs to the Eecp.
blackness in this black night. Be
sides. who eve struck a match at
night to see by? No: the match was in
that same tree l speak Of" l was
silent. Il presume it didn't strike it.
self" he continued.
Lower your voice" l cnjoined.
Sheppard smiled. as l could perceive
even in the darkness.
"Oh, don't see why he declared.
There's no Il there to strike a match
now, to the best Of my belief
"How is that:"
Did you hear nc SOund?" he asked.
l shook my head, and he patted his
shotgun.
Il congratulate you on your sound
ness of health. I fred about an hour
ago, and l fancy the shot did not al
together miss. There followed a still.
small noise and after that again pat
tering feet receding. l think some one
has indigestion today in Sercombe's
army
Sheppard shouldered his gun and
walked to the northern verge of the
parapet. STOPPING, he fumbled in the
darkness. and the next momen his
voice sounded from below nv feet,
Follow me, Ned" he called. Gropiug
about with feet and bands, l came up-
on an 0npn hn1n in Tho R~o, ,-1 =
sorting my legs cautiously, happened
upon the first step in a stone stairway.
Diligently stepping down this through
sheer ~blackness. l came out upon Shep-
pard's heels into what by comparison
seemed daylight. The stars slistened
in the canopy of heaven. l was out
upon the b~attlements.
I'VE might have known there was
some communication between the keen
and the b~attlement.' said Sheppard,
You see the advantage. I've been
pacing this walk like a sentinel for the
last two hours
Can You get right round:"
I'll show YOU" he returned and led
the way along that lofty roadway. The
battlements naturally stretched across
the width of the castle. running from
wall to wall. The parapet stood some
five feet high and was broken with the
manifestations Of the design. There
was ample space. therefore. for twenty
men at arms to march abreast along
the heights. sheppard moved lightly.
his head just swinging clear Of the par
apet and the black darkness contained
between the shadows of the ramparts.
The leaden roof was incumbered with
rubbish. Presently Sheppard paused.
and there rose quickly before me out
of the superintendent gloom the black
or mas; of the drum towers. Feeling
his way. Sheppard hit upon an iron
ladder connecting with the heights
above. and presently we stood upon the
topmost pinnacle of the castle and
peered from it into the night. The noe
turnal miSts and blackness of the val
ley below We're slowly shifting. The
trees gradually grew black, showing
against a vast and gray gloom. Yet
there was no light visible in those
seething changes of the elements. The
night still hung about US.
The southern drum tower looked
down upon deeper shadows. and
could not descry the wall below. I
turned to my companion for an expla-
nation and smiled at the confusion of
my wi brain when he answered:
That's the south, Ned. You know
the battlements are in ruins there
OF coarse they We're, but was not to
be deferred from a complete circuit Of
the walls by that small fact, and l
CROPPED for the ladder.
BE careful, Ned said Sheppard.
Better not. Wait till it's light"
Now, l knew very well at the time
that he spoke wisely and that | was
merely taking Il rash hazard for no
better purpose than to display to my
self my 1--WE observation-disclosures obstj-
macy, II you will. But the feeling was
strong upon me, and SO, picking INV
step; down the ladder. | paid him no
attention. Presently my foot, descend.
ing. shot through empty air, ana coin.
cidcntly with that the iron bar to
which | was clinglng with my left
hand ceased abruptly. For 4
| had q siclily sensation in my ston,
ach, and | went quite cold. But, brac.
ing myself together, ] knecicd upon
the lowermost step and launched my
body into space.
have" 10 intention. as | say, of de.
H. g.
take any credit for my ultimate escape
from what WAS undoubtedly II deadly
perl. Ny legs kicked aimlossly In the
cir nnh found Ia resi-, %tightc.ra! j.,