The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-08-01
Us that right ."

oh, say, saw the fellow with his
hand on the knife"
After we git the chap, Wen give
them people a chance to tell what
they know"
Brant's keenly attentive ears heard
the far-off chug of numerous horses
feet.
81 rather think you will" he said.
confidently, his voice ringing out with
sudden authority.
He stepped back, lifted a silver
whistle to his lips, and sounded one
sharp, clear note. There was a grow
ing thunder of hoofs, a quick, manly
cheer, a crashing through the under
brush. and a squad of eager troopers,
half-dressed but with faces glowing
in anticipation of trouble, came gal
Looping up the sloFe, swinging out into
line as thew advanced. their carbines
cleaning in the sunlight. 1t was
prettily, sharply performed, and their
officers face frightened.
Very nicely done, Watson" he
said to the expectant sergeant. DE
ploy your men to left and right, and
clear out those shooters. Make a
good job of it, but no firing unless
you have to-
The troopers went at 1t as if they
enjoyed the task, forcing their FESTIVE
horses through the thickets, and
roughly handling more than one who
ventured to question their authority.
Yet the work was over in less time
than it takes to tell, the discounted
regulators driven pell-mell down the
hill and back into the town, the eager
cavalrymen hating only at the COM
mand of the bugle. Brant, confident
of his first sergeant In such emergen-
cy, merely paused long enough to
watch the men deploy, and then press
ed straight up the hill, alone and on
foot. That danger to the besieged
was yet imminent was very evident.
The black spiral of smoke had be-
come an enveloping cloud, spreading
rapidly IN both directions from it's
original starting-point. He arrived
finally where the ground was charred
black and covered with wood ashes,
still hot under foot and smoking, but
he pressed upward, sheltering his
eyes with uplifted arm, and seeking
passage where the scarcity of under
brush rendered the zone OF fire less
impossible. He could see scarcely
three yards in advance, but to the
rear the narrow lane of retreat re-
manned open. Standing there, as
though in the mouth of furnace, the
red flames scorching his face, Brant
followed his hands for a call
''Hampton!" The word rang out
over the Internal cracking and roar
ing like the note of a trumpet.
"Ayl What is it?" The returning
voice was plainly not Hamptons yet
it came from directly in front, and
not far away.
Who are you? Is that you. Mar
shal?"
"Thet's the ticket" answered the
voice, grufly, AN just as full O. fight
es ever"
Brant lifted his jacket to protect
his face from the scorching heat.
There was certainly no time to lose
in any exchange of compliments.
I'm Brant. lieutenant Seventh cav
airy he cried, choking with the thick
ening smoke. My troop has scatter
ed those fellows who were hunting
you. I'll protect you and your prison
er, but you'll have to get out of there
at once. Can you locate me and make
dash for it? Wrap your coats around
your heads, and leave your guns be-
hind"
An instant he waited for the an
swer. fairly writhing in the intense
heat, then Mason shouted, "Hamp-
tons been shot, and I'm winged a lit
tie; can't carry him"
Brant ripped off his jacket, wrapped
it about his face. TANNED a handker-
chief into his mouth and with prayer
in his heart, leaped forward into the
seemingly narrow fringe of fire in his
front. Head down, he ran blindly
| stumbling forward as he struck the
ore-dump. and beating out with his
hands the sparks that scorched his
clothing. The smoke appeared to roll
higher from the ground here and the
coughing SOlOiGE CICpJ up DSuedlu II
breathing the hot air. and feeling as
though his entire body were afre
Mason, his countenance black and un
recognizable. his shirt soaked with
blood, peered into his face.
Hell. amt it," he sputtered. ''but
you're a dandy. all right"
Is Hampton dead?"
7 reckon not. Got hit bad. though.
Brant cast one glance into the
white. unconscious face of his rival
and acted with the promptness of mil
. itary training
Whip of your shirt, Mason. and tie
it around your face" he commanded
| Lively now"
He bound his silk neckerchie
across Hamptons mouth. and lifteC
the limp form partially from III,
/ ground Help me to get him up
/ There, that will do. Now keep a.
close as you can so as to steady hiE
! If l trip. Straight ahead-run for it,