The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-31

tn THROWN down by q sounding
/ board of inky clouds, the
EFTSS5SNs alarm shots at Brannon. the
- shouting, the reports of the
GatllngS and the trumpet calls fell
sharp and clear upon the shack. DIAL
las, watching into the blackness from
her bench by the door, was up and
armed on the instant and leaning far
over the sill as If to see the better
through the dark. Soon she made out
something glimmer-that in the be-
ginning was redder than the flare of
the lightning, fainter and more fixed
but which, growing as the din grew
swiftly deepened in color, spread wide
and rose, throwing into relief the in
tervening grove of cottonwoods and
the form of man who was racing rfv-
erward from the swale He disappear
ed, swelling the distant clamor with q
cry-a dread cry she had never heard
befOre-of Fire.
Presently she went in and bent over
Marylyn, touching her gently and
speaking low to save her a fright.
Honey, dear honey. Hop up and see
what's happ'ning at the fort"
The younger girl scrambled to her
feet, putting out nervous hands to her
sister. Dallas quieted her, and they
stood together in the door
And now, across the Missouri the
guns and trumpets suddenly stilled
and the shouting lessened, while the
glow rapidly thickened into a roaring
press of flame. before which darted
the troopers like flies in the light of a
lamp.
My, myr whispered Marylyn. her
voice quavering with sorrow and awe
She found her clothes and, keeping in
line with the door, began to dress.
III put on my shoes, end we can
go down ways, SOS to see close.
Shall l, Dal"-
'Sh. Dallas was leaning out again.
her head lowered as If to listen. All
at once she turned and, kneeling. felt
on the floor for her cartridge belt.
Yes, yes" she answered. Put 'em
on-quick"'
Are we going down to watch?"
NO"
The barracks and the stables were
high, cherry hued pyres, terrible
enough to the eye, with their tops
crooking northward in the wind. To
Dallas ear they were far more terri |
Bile, telling of awful suffering. limiting
of direful intent. For the nearer pyre |
sent proof of a sacrifice She could /
hear the screams of a horse.
h0
the door. Hurry. hurry" she said. |
The old iron resolve never to desert I
the shack was fusing in the heat of a |
panic. Her unfailing instinct was
hardening a new one that ruled for
immediate fight
Marylyn was working with her shoe
thongs not stopping to thread them.
only to wind and tie them around her
ankles. She heard her sister exclaim.
Then she was seized and brought for
ward by trembling hand 'Nfarylyn.
Marylyn! The boat. She's goingr'
They looked and saw a black fun
aeled bulk floating across the watery
strip mantled by the blaze
Maybe they thought it'd burn" sug-
y IL
lying that way"
Dallas leaned back against the door.
1 guess-that's it" she said slowly.
Then after a moment: But why didn't
hey bring her straight across? There's
10 place to tie up down stream"
Why, there's fire breaking out all
'ver now" cried the younger girl. for
getting to be afraid In her wonder and
excitement See. One of the little
louses is caught"
1t was the first cabin of Clothespin
ow. Two or three men were nea- 1t.
1t that distance they seemed gayly
to each other In a dance.
II anything is wrong" Dallas said. |
Mr.. Lounsbury'n come back"
Mr.. Lounsburyr' repeated Marylyn.
Was he here?"
ION this side, by the grove. 1 saw
i'm start for the fort"
And so their going was delayed.
Nevertheless Dallas sense Of coming
anger was acute, and when before
ong she heard the trumpet again and
aw the troopers fall away from the
yres. leaving the flames to their work.
be lit the lantern and held it to where
7ere stored her treasures lock OF !
er mothers hair, her fathers pipe. ,
le letter she had received from I,ouns- :
ury.
(To be Continued.l