The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-12-26
CHAPTER XVII.

Unarmed and surprised as he was,
Las1ton'. presence of mind did not desert
him he felt that he was in the hands
| of those from whom he was to expect no
mercy: and, as four of the SINNERS fell
upon him at once, he used his gigantic
| strength to the utmost. Three of the band
| grasped him by tse heck and arms, with
an intent to clog his efforts, and pinion
him with ropes. The struggle was short
but terrific; the most dreadful impreca-
tions were uttered by the SINNERS, who
in vain called on more of their band,
who were gazing on the combat in nerve
less horror, to assist. A difficulty Of
breathing from one of the combatants,
was heard, accompanied by the stified
| meanings of a strangled man and direct
ly one of the group arose on his feet,
| shaking himself free from the wild grasp
| of the others. Both Wellmere and the
| servant Of Lawton had fed. The figure
that stood erect sprang into the saddle
of the unheeded charger: sparks of fire,
issuing from the armed feet of the horse,
gave a momentary light by which the
| captain was seen dashing like the wind
toward the highway.
Hes off ~ cried the leader, hoarse
with rage and exhaustion; ''fire bring
him down-fre, or you'll be too late"
The order was obeyed, and one moment
Of suspense followed, in the vain hope
Of hearing the huge frame OF Lawton
tumbling from his steed.
A freshening of the wind waited the
tread of horse down the valley, which,
by its speed, gave assurance of a rider
governing its motion.
What Is to be done with this lump Of
earth" cried one, pushing the body that
yet lay insensible where it had been hurl-
ed by the arm of Lawton; "a little rub
bing would bring him to-"
Let him lie," said the leader, fercely
.had he been half a man, that dragoon-
ing rascal would have been in my power
enter the house, I say, and fire the
chambers. We can't go amiss here
there is plate and money enough to make
you all gentlemen-and revenge, too"
Wellmere availed himself of the oppor-
tunity, and, stealing from the stables
| with his own charger, he was able to gain
| the highway unnoticed. He rode toward
New York, stung with the reflection Of
| his own baseness, and harassed with the
| apprehension Of meeting with an enrag-
ed woman, that he had married during
his late visit to England, but whose
claims he had resolved never willingly to
admit. In the tumult and agitation Of
| the moment, the retreat of Lawton and
Wellmere was but little noticed; the con-
dition of Mr. Wharton demanded the care
and consolation Of both the surgeon and
the divine. The report of the firearms
first reused the family to the sense Of a
new danger, and but a moment elapsed
before the leader, and one more of the
gang entered the room.
Surrender you servants of King
George" shouted the leader, presenting
k:s lusket to the breast of Sitgreaves,
''or l will let little tory blood from
your veins"
"Gently-gently, my friend" said the
surgeon you are doubtless more expert
in inficting wounds than in healing them.
I am q non-combatant. The articles Of
capitulation must be arranged with Cap
tain John Lawton though yielding, I be-
lieve, is not a subject on which you will
find him particularly complying"
The fellow had by this time taken such
survey Of the group as convinced him
that little danger was to be apprehended
flSn resistance, and eager to seize his
share OF the plunder, he dropped his mus
ket, and was soon busy, with the assist
ance of his men, IN arranging divers arti.
cles of plate in bags. The cottage now
presented a singaiar spectacle-the ladies
were gathered around Sarah. Mr.. Whar-
ton sat in a state of perfect imbecility.
Singleton was lying on a sofa, shaking
with debility; while the surgeon was ad-
ministering restoratives and looking at
the dressings with coolness that moched
ths tumult. Caesar and the attendant Of
Captain Singleton had retreated to the
wood in the rear Of the cottage, and Katy
Haynes was flying about the building.
| forming a bundle of valuables, from
which, with the most scrupulous honesty,
she rejected every article that was not
really and truly her own. ..-.,
Led on by Lawton, the men from the
Four Corners followed, destitute alike OF
fear and reflection. Whether 1t was q
party of the refugees, or detachment
from the royal army, that they were TO
assail, they were profoudly ignorant; but
they knew that the officer in advance was
distinguished for courage and personal
prowess. On arriving near the gates OF
the Locusts, the trooper halted his party.
and turning to Hollister, said:
| "Stand you here, and guard the horses ;
If anything attempt to pass, stop 1t, or
cut 1t down, and" The flames at
this moment burst through the dormer
window and cedar roof of ths cottage.
"On" shouted the trooper, ION give
quarter when you have done justice! y
Ito be coutinuec.}