Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-08-13

lash. Then he looked Mt Hockey, so
wicked and strong and sly, and his
heart leaped as he had never thought
to feel it leap again. Here was the
man for whipped dog to follow! He
leaned eagerly forward and begged
and craved admission to the band as
another might have pleaded for his
life.
Hockey Simpson surveyed him
strangely. "Well, WELL" said he, II
was thinking 1t would never do to
leave you here"
why not?'
You were probably heading for the
sea-"
II was"
"Well, the ensign and his men IRE,
without doubt, between the sea and
ourselves. You might have fallen in
with them"
THAT would have been my lookout"
"AIinc, too. perhaps"
"What do you mean7'
'You might have put them on my
scent"
Tom had seen it coming, yet he lost
his temper when it came.
$50 you think that of me?" he cried.
"You see how I've been treated, and
yet you think thatv'
81 did think It," was the reply. II
don't say do now. No; 1t never oc-
CURED to me to trust you on the
grounds you suggest
"Then what did 1t occur to you
to iio?"
Hockey Simpson shrugged his shout
ders as one who would rather not say.
ITO tie me to a tree perhaps and
leave me there to starve."
Hockey Simpson bit his thin lips to
avoid smiling, but bent his gray head
| when that was impossible, and Tom.
bending his, saw that the cork was Off
the polished steel hook and Its point as
sharp as a needle. The little gray man
was feeling 1t with his thumb as he
i still tried to swallow his smiles.
II seew said Tom in low voice.
eyes. now see!''
1--WE never do things by halves" OBJ
served Hockey, sucking a bead Of
blood, not without ostentation, from
the end of his thumb. I'VE do them
with all our might"
$50 sec," repeated Tom. "Well,
and so do I. You stick at nothing.
I'll stick at less. I'll be with you IN
what you please, from whist to whole
sale murder, only give me the chance!
Man alive, can't you see for yourself
I'm as desperate as any Of you?
Haven't you told me the mounted po-
lice are between me and the sea?
Then what do you suppose want with
my life except to sell 1t as dear as pos
sible and be done with 1t as quick?
tell you," cried Tom, I'm the very
man for you! See here. You're one
short. Take me in his place and serve
me the same If turn out worse than
my word!'
His sudden vehemence, his impas-
stoned manner, his fevered and infuri-
ated eyes all had their effect upon the
bushrangers, who now, with the ex.
ception of Peter Pindar and De Cru
chy, got up and held whispered con-
sultation some few PAGES from the fire.
Tom watched them eagerly, and each
time the wall eyes or the fire lit spec
tacles were turned upon him he made
ready to rise. But now and then they
glanced ut De Gruchy instead, who
was still nursing sullen face, and
al suchctimes their whispers fell lower
still, 80 that Tom was at once startled
and interested when new voice COB
blel IN his car:
"Yabber-yabber Tonga him-him bael
budgerie no usel''
4 1t was Peter plndar, whose oily
locks and curling beard nodded dis
gustedly in De Gruchy's direction.
"Why not?" said Tom. what has
he done?"
Him good fellow belonging friend
of Francisco" replied the black. Me
leave IN alonga Francisco, me Hockey
Simp'on. Bael Dudgerie; me leave m
alonga good fellow, my word!'
And the slmian face grinned from
ear to ear, IN each of which Tom nov
beheld gold earring smeared with
blood. But he was determined to be
horrified no more, and, the trio bcckon
Ing him. he Joined them with wha1
alacrlty he could IN the straight waist
coat of stiff wounds which now I'M
prlsoned him.
WELL" began the little gray man
we're going to give you trial."
Tom broke out with impious thanks
which the other Instantly cut short.
stop till you hear what that means.
said Hockey. 1T means that We sad
die up straight away and stick vi
Castle Sullivan before morning. /
means that you've got to make your
self extra useful there, since you know
the place. So what do you say to i
now7"
For the moment Tom could 50.
nothing at all. He was too surprised
and in his surprise he was thinking o
the SulIivans and sweet revenge, o
the detested spot lie meant never t
see again and Of Peggy who must b.
protected all at once.
"Wen?" said Hockey. you know
the place. What do you sayY'
I'm known there too"
!. "What of that"
They'd make a mark of me. TIL
Sullivans would have me hack alive o
dead. Then have enemies anon
!, the men. They'd side against me on
! of Spite"
!, "WeIl, we shall all wear masks"
3 Tom glanced down at his regulatio
: jacket, shoes and trousers, took of III
. regulation cap and shook his head.
s ut would never be enough. Their
/, s... - ,f +l,or,, MOO ring the yer