The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-12-12

AS these men were not paraded, curl
csity had already drawn them to the
! place, and they one and all denied that
any person had passed out. The sentinel
acknowledged that Betty had gone by
him, but pleaded his orders in justiiica-
| tion.
"Tou lie, you tief-you liew shouted
Betty. who had impatiently listened to
his exculpation would yee slanderize
lone woman, by saying she walks n
camp at midnight t?--Here have / been
shaping the long night"
Here, sir" said the sergeant, turning
respectfully to Dunwoodie, lis something
written on slip OF paper"
One of the officers read aloud "TheSe
certify, that if suffered to get free. it is
by Gods help alone, TO whose divine aid
humbly ricommind myself. l am fore
ed to take the woman's clothes, but in her
pocket is a Witness my
hand-Harvey Birch
What" rosred Betty, has the tief
robbed lone woman? Hang him-catch
him and hang him, major; if there's law
or justice in the land"
Examine your pocket" said one of
the youngsters, who was enjoying the
scene.
| "Ah. faith" cried the washerweman, n,
| producing a guinea, 'but he is q jewel of
a pidler! Long life and brisk trade to
him, say /; he is wilcome to the duds-
and II he is ever hanged, many a bigger
rogue will 90 free"
Dunwoodie turned to leave the apart
ment, and he saw Captain Lawton stand
ing with folded arms contemplating the
scene in profound silence. His manner
so different from his usual impctuosity
and zeal, struck his commander as sim
gular. Their eyes met, and they walked
together for a few minutes in close con-
versation, when Dunwoo6e returned, and
dismissed the guard.
During the breakfast several expresses
arrived, one of which brought intelligence
the enemy's expedition that was out on
the Hudson and another, orders to send
Captain Wharton to the first post above,
under the escort of a body of dragons.
These instructions completed the sum of
Dunwoodie's uneasiness. The despair and
misery of Frances were constantly be
fore his eyes. In obedience to the COM
mands of his superior, an officer, with a
small party, was sent to the cottage to
conduct Henry Wharton to the place di-
rected; and the gentleman who was in
trusted with TIE execution of the order
was charged with a letter from Dun
! woodie to his friend, containing the most
| cheering assurances of his safety as we'll
as the strongest pledges Of his own un-
ceasing exertions in his favor. Lawton
was left with part of his own troop in
charge Of the few wounded; and as soon
as the men were refreshed, the encamp-
ment broke up, the main body marching
toward the Hudson. DunwOodie repeat
ed his injunctions to Captain Lawton-
dwelt on every word that had fallen from
the peddler, and canvassed, in every pos
| sible manner that his ingenuity could de-
wise, the probable meaning of his mys-
terious warnings. Suddenly recollecting
that no directions had been given for the
| disposal Of Colonel Wellmere, instead Of
| following the rear of the column, the
ior yielded to his DESIRES and turned
down the road which led to the Locusts.
| As he was plunging into the bottom lands
he caught a glimpse of Henry Wharton
and his escort, defling through a pass
which led to the posts above. This sight
added to the speed Of the anxious youth,
who now turned the angle Of the hill that
opened to the valley, and came suddenly
on the object of his search. Frances had