The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-06-21
Il never was lost. friend John,~ replied

| Job, with much simplicity.
| Rowan has been explaining to us
about that affair which happened between
you and him n few mornings since. We
all, it seems, have labored under a mis-
| take, not knowing that Ben's unlucky
/ fall was occasioned by a fit"
| II didn't say a fit, but a falling sick.
ness !" exclaimed Ben, angrily.
'Arhou art right, good Benjamin; it
was falling sickness, if thou wilt" an
swered Job.
"Hear that--he owns it," cried Ben,
triumphantly.
"It's all right, then," added Hender-
now shake hands,"
Benjamin" said JOB.
..See what I'll do to him." whispered
Ben to Forstall. Perhaps ! won't crush
the bones in his hand. l dare say mott
Look out for fun Y
'IIere is my hand, good Benjamin"
said Job, mildly, extending his broad
palm.
swell, / don't care" replied Ben,
"since You acknowledge that / was not
vanquished by mortal strength. but by
disease, I'll give you my fist on it; so
| here goes"
Rowan seized Dawson's hand and
pressed it with all his strength, expecting
| that the later would cry out with pain,
and laugh would be pre- Iced at his ex-
pense.
Verify" said Dawson, IL like warn
and friendly grasp, and am glad to put
an end TO this misunderstanding. There
fore, let this cordial grasp convince you
that l cherish no hard feelings towards
you."
While the Quaker was making these
remarks he closed his mighty hand upon
Ben's, and the fingers sunk into the flesh
like iron rods. Rowan's whole frame
quivered with pain, but he stood like
martyr, waiting with what fortitude he
could muster for the moment of release.
art thou satisfied, good Benjamin.
kindly inquired Dawson, shaking Row
ans powerless hand still more vehement
ly.
T-I-I-am---it is all--all right" re-
| piled the boxer, his face growing dread
/ fully red, while his eyes gave abundant
| indications of being uncommonly watery.
/ 1T is good thing Benjamin, for
man to be fully persuaded in his own
mind" added Dawson, still tightening his
| grip. II hope you are really in earnest
about this matter, and that this friendly
pressure of hands is without deceit"
"Yes, yes |" exclaimed Ben, dancing
around Job like young grizzly bear
caught in steel trap. Il tell you it's
all-all-made up between u"
Forstall and Henderson roared with
laughter, and Rowan, when released from
| the mortifying situation in which he had
placed himself, attempted TO join in the
merriment, but vexation prevailed over
| the faint effort, and he informed Forstall
confdentially, as they walked toward
the spot where the brigade was gathering,
1 preparatory to resuming the march, that
job Dawson was bigger humbug than
ever, and the time was approaching when
he would make it apparent to the whole
world"
During the march to Rocky Greek
Frank had conversation with James
Adair, Marys brother, and endeavored
| to learn something about the Quaker,
but signally failed. Adair professed to
have no knowledge of the eccentric Job,
but though he felt, apparently, no inter
est in the singular individual, he seemed
to experience considerable enjoyment in
talking about Rose Forstall, though ne
approached the subject with some deli
cacy, but as Frank referred frequently
to Ruth Strickland, and spoke enthusi-
astically of her high qualities of head and
1 heart, as well as her personal perfections,
he became less reserved and the name Of
Rose was oftener spoken.
/ Marion issued order that silence should
be strictly observed as they approached
Rocky Greek. Within two miles of the
rendezvous the brigade halted, waited till
midnight and then moved again with
increasing caution. Upon reaching the
\ wood that nearly surrounded the field
where the unsuspecting Loyalists We're
gathered, the general disposed his men in
equal numbers on each side of the open
space by which the spot was accessible.
These movements, though executed with
in few hundred yards of the Loyalists,
produced no alarm, so perfect was the
discipline of Marion's men. The general
spoke with all the officers and enjoined
upon them implicit Obedience to orders
and to see that the arms of every man
| were In readiness for use. When every
thing had been arranged Frank Forstall
and John Henderson were ordered to go
forward on foot and reconnoiter.
Grateful for this mark of the generals
confidence, our heroes obeyed with alac-
rity. Crossing brook Frank and Hen
derson entered large field and, guided
by the numerous fires that were burning
brightly, walked with slow and noiseless
steps toward the rendezvous.
After proceeding short distance the
tread of sentinel was distinctly heard,
warning them to silence and prudence.
1t was now necessary that they should
leave the field and advance under cover