The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-04-11
CHAPTER xvIll-(contInusdB


early tomorrow mornin'-just to see
'ow It's done. They've got to start
precious early, SO as to reach the town
they're a-goin' to In time for the per-
Torrance at night. Now, wishin' to
identify myself with the business as
early as possible, I've asked 'em 10
send In one of the caravans to fetch
me- so as to make sort Of procession
they don't mind a gratifyin' a little
weakness like that. Now, IL you cant
'ide In a caravan, were can you ide,
Phil?"
1T sounds like the very thing" re-
piled Philip. "You can drop me quiet
ly on the road when we are clear or
the town, and nothing need be known
of me. But what Of this girl, who has
been so brave and loyal to me? l
can't leave her behind"
That's easy arranged" responded
the captain. "Let 'er stop ere; the
missis'll be glad to give 'er shelter as
long as you like; an you may be sure
she's in good 'ands."
Philip gratefully accepted the offer;
and, neither of them being disposed to
sleep, they sat and talked the night
away, or such part of 1t as remained.
Philip duly impressed upon the cap
tain the necessity OF preserving ST.
lence concerning the real story or
Dandy Chatter, making his plea more
forcible by telling the worthy man OF
the difficulties he might find himself
in should it become known that he had
harbored fugitive, or assisted him to
escape.
Soon after four o'clock in the morn
ing wheels were heard outside in the
quiet street, and a knock sounded at
the door The captain-spying out
the land from the window signalled
TO Philip that all was right, and they
prepared to set out. Mrs. Quist had
come down stairs, and had announced
that the girl was sleeping soundly
Then | won't disturb her" said
Philip; II know that she will be well
cared for, and am more grateful than
can express. Will you tell her when
she wakes that | am safe, and have
gone with the captain: that will tind
an opportunity of seeing her mother
and assuring her that her child Is
| safe? And now, If the captain can
lend me cap of some sort, am
ready"
The captain would have pressed his
own gorgeous silk hat upon his friend,
hut being dissuaded from this with
some difficulty, provided him with
cloth cap, which would be, less likely
| to attract attention.
Then the captain sailed out, to be
| sure that the coast was clear; and,
| there being no one in sight, Philip
| took leave Of Mrs. Quist and darted
| into the caravan, which moved on al
| once.
II was still quite dark when they
| got clear at last Of the streets OIL
| Chelmsford, and Philip Chatter was be
ginning to congratulate himself upon
the fact of having got out of his DIM
culties SO neatly, when the man who
acted as driver, and to whom the cap
tain must have given some word o.
warning, raped smartly on the side
| or the VeDlCie. nc SoP'eAA, "A~ N
begun to fill his pipe, and had quite
settled down to the enjoyment OF hi:
ride. popped open the little window II
the side of the caravan and put out hl'
head. Whats wrong, messmateg" NJ
asked.
The man informed him rapidly ina
there was a gig-so far as ne coui'
make out judging by the twii
Iights-coming over the hill behin'
| them from the town, and evidenti.
coming at q great rate. Indeed, II
the silence, the caravan havin'
stopped, they could hear the swift bea
OF horses hoofs.
ASK him what road we are on" sai
Philip.
The captain did so, and the man re
nlied promptly that they were headin
toward Bamberton.
Gust where I want to CO." whisper
cd Philip to the captain. NOW.
don't want to get you into trouble, Oh
friend, as you would most assurediy
| | were found in your company. There
fore. you can drop me here by tn
roadside, and go on without me-"
"Tm blest II I dol" said the captain
sturdily. ;.
But you must" replied Philip. >
, remain here I shall certainly D
taken, quite apart from getting yo
into difficulties. On the other hand.
i drop out in the darkness l can II
close under hedge until they've gon
by. And you, for your own satisfa
ton. can give them false direction.
This last point appeared to sett
the matter with the captain; phil
left him chuckling hugely to himsel
! lust as the caravan was beginning
: move on again. and while Philip Ia
. crouched behind hedge, the g
dashed up and drew rein within hea
. ing Of him.
, aWot!" exclaimed the captain, In
voice OF apparent indignation, the m
ment he heard that prisoner WI
|. missing, and was believed to ma
taken the road to Bamberton; ~
don't mean a tall. clean shaven. da
chan. without a'atf" On being
? sured that that was correct descr
\ zion az the fugitive the captain OScsi