Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-03-13
CHAPTER Ix.-(Continued)


of her features, although he had been
admiring her figure from the first
excuse me-" said Kate, 81 have but
an Indifferent face"
Swords and pistols, what a silvery
voiceT' exclaimed the gallant colonel.
Come, no. sass, cap'n? cried Joe,
warningly, riding nearer to Kate.
''Be little careful" retorted Cunning
ham.
Miss Martin turned her face toward
the Tory leader, and the bright moon
shining upon it rendered its fair fea-
lures perfectly visible.
What loneliness ~ exclaimed the colo
ael, involuntarily, and at the same time
laid his hand on the bride rein of Vic
tor.
Hands off, cap'n," said Joe.
Back, fellow - thundered Cunning
ham, in a passion.
II shall protect her with my life,"
said Joe.
BE quiet, or I'll fire ~ exclaimed the
colonel, leveling his pistol at Sawyer's
breast
81 see you are an officer" said Kate,
firmly; and l trust you are a gallant
gentleman. Let us pass on without fur
Their words"
eff had not seen that exquisite face,
pretty maiden, you might have gone on
as fast and as far as you pleased; but the
sight of so much beauty has made me
little giddy."
Joe 'spurred his horse, and he reared
and pressed hard against the colonel,
which greatly enraged him, and he dis
charged his pistol at Hates defender.
The ball took effect in his right side,
and inAicting a slight wound, glanced of
without doing any serious injury. Joe
instantly drew heavy horse pistol from
the breast pocket of his coat, and bend
ing forward, gave Cunningham a stun
ming blow upon the head, which knocked
him senselesJ.
"Spur on. Queen Kate ~ cried Joe.
Victor, feeling himself at liberty once
more, sprang over the body of the colo
mel and swept onward at his best speed.
Its no time to let the grass grow
under our feet. Cunningham will be up
and after us with his fellows" added
Sawyer.
They had galloped forward for ten or
fifteen minutes, when Joe stopped and
said he believed they had taken the wrong
road. He examined the locality as we'll
as he could, and was still in doubt in
regard to the matter. This circumstance
perplexed Kate greatly, for she felt that
every moment was precious.
Decide quickly" she exclaimed, "for
this delay makes me exceedingly nervous"
I'LL obey you, Queen Kate, as soon
as possible. 1t strikes me that it would
be better to stay where we are than to
go in the wrong direction"
Joe now dismounted, and requesting
Kate to hold his horse, surveyed the To-
cality more infinitely. In a short time
he returned and informed her that they
had left the main and direct road, but
that the one they were now in would lead
them into it again. They proceeded with
less speed and some uncertainty; and
the latter feeling became so strong in the
minds of both that they were induced to
halt for the second time. While Joe sat
irresolute about going forward, an omin-
GUS sound reached his ears, and not his
only. but Hates.
THE tramp of many horses !" exclaim-
ed the latter, in a suppressed tone of
voice.
"Cunningham's cutthroats,' said Saw
yer.
What is to be done?" asked Kate,
promptly. Think fast, Joe"
Remain where we are and trust to
luck. Perhaps they'll take the other road,
and in that case we shall stand pretty
fair chance of getting clear of them"
And if we should not elude them,
what then?" asked Kate, earnestly.
THE case is very plain, so far as l
am concerned. l shall be shot down or
the spot, because / struck the villain,
Cunningham"
Kate for the first time felt something
analogous 70 fear. She heard the clatter
of hoofs, and felt but too keenly that
her enterprise was in peril But she was
far too unselfsh to forget poor Joe Saw
yer; his genuine gratitude and rough
kindness had already had the effect to
make her regard him with feelings of
friendship.
I'm thinking of you, Joe,'' said Kate,
gently.
BLESS you, Miss Martin, don't trouble
yourself to think of me / couldn't die
in a better cause. I've got some pretty
little instruments about me, which per-
haps you'd better take. Here they are.
and beautifully finished pocket pistols :;
and they are so neat and diminutive with
al, they seem to be made on purpose for
lady. It's very evident to me that
there's considerable real spirit and cour-
age about you, notwithstanding your sex
and If worst should come to worst, what
could hinder you from using one of those
cunning little fellows?"
Il thank you very much I" exclaimed
Kate, taking the pistols eagerly. Don't
fear-l know how to use them as well as
you do. I'm not such a poor helpless
creature as those of my sex are generally
supposed to be-
Hear the blackguards They shake
the ground with their hard riding"
Have they taken the other road. do
you think inquired Kate, in a whis.
per.
II believe they have. How lucky
Hear them thunder along"
What if they should divide, and some
of them come this wayj" asked Kate.
hurriedly.
They have!' exclaimed Joe. This
way, Kate-this way, quickly-Quiekly,
behind yonder clump of trees"
Sawyer caught hold of Hates horse bv
the bride and hurried him from the road
toward a small growth of wood. They
had scarcely made this change, when
some of the horsemen came in sight, urg-
ing their steeds by a free application of
the spur.
Keep your horse quiet-hold him
firmly-the least noise will betray us ="
whispered Sawyer. There goes Cum
bingham"
Dash on, men," cried Cunningham.
Ten dollars to the man who takes her
unframed, and ten more to the man
who shoots the rascal that is with her.
"Ay, ay, colonel" shouted the men,
and pressed on with redoubled zeal. In
few moments they had passed on, and
Kate and Sawyer remained undiscovered.
We'll give them the mitten this time.
Queen Kate" exclaimed Joe joyfully.
Wen retrace our steps a little and take
auothar road lasg .I;r,aF