The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-05-01
ana Drought you money with which

ana Drought you money with which
to CO."
But my men,"
ARRESTED as fast as they came;
taken quietly away, and now in
prison"
Meredith, too?"
Yes, he was taken in the street
above"
Seigo gasped in establishment. But
there must be some who got away?"
mo, not wen one. You're the only
man left. The Americans are a ter
rible people. They have hoodwinked
you until the time was ripe, then
reached out and caught you all as a
fisherman with his net takes in a
school of minnows. Even now they
are waiting for you, and you'll have
10 act quick or they will get you too
The spy felt suddenly that he had
underestimated the enemy completely
An involuntary shudder contracted his
muscles when he comprehended that
not only had he been watched until
the propitious time for his taking. but
that he had been deliberately played
with, an unconscious nous beneath
the eyes of a vigilant cat. Worst of
all, this in itself was confirmation
that none of the later reports he had
sent out to Japan had reached their
destination. Probably every message
he had dispatched was now In the
hands Of the Americans. His only
hope of conveying warning to his coun-
trymen and for his own life depended
on his escape from the clutches OF
these men, who could appear ignorant
and torpid when in reality they were
advised and alert. In a burst Of i'm
potent rage he shook his fists at the
stars. His companion caught his arm.
"Listen!" he said. you have but
one chance. You must get away from
Washington tonight. l have a friend,
a Canton man, who is a gardener In
the outskirts. If we can reach him he
way crossing before the light comes
There you can get aboard a freight
train"
go as a tramp?"
Eyes, because all other trains will
be searched"
Seigo shrugged his shoulders in dis
gust. He would have uttered a pro-
test in words had not his companion
checked him and continues:
"If you are careful you can get to
Chicago, where other friends of mine
will help you. Then you must try to
reach Canada a. best you can"
Seigo hesitated a minute before de.
Gliding; but it was obvious that no bet
ter means was available. Together
the two men crept through alleyways
and back streets to the outskirts Of
the city, until they came to the howell
where lived the truck farmer on whom
they placed their hope. He, exper-
fenced in the ways of the Americans
through long residence in California
and standing in dread of the law, was
at first loath to undertake the part
assigned to him; but the clink Of gold
coin overcame his fears, and in the
end Seigo sought sleep in the bottom
Of q covered wagon while being driven
to the place where he was to assume
q new role. He felt alone and deserted
when the gardener departed, leaving
him standing at an intersection Of rail-
way tracks waiting impatiently for .
freight train on which he was to make
his first excursion into trampdom.
1t came at last, q heavy snorting To-
connective pulling a long trailer of emp
ties. 1t whistled shrilly for the cross
Ing, watched for a signal from the
lonely little tower, and came to . full
stop. Seigo. with his heart in his
mouth, %clambered through the side
door of an empty car and was soon
travelling westward to the rhythmic
clank Of wheels on rails. Fatigue at
last overcame him and he slowly
dropped into q restless sleep in which
he was pursued by demons and con.
fronted by unknown terrors. He was
aroused by a brakeman, who roughly
punched him in the ribs with the toe
Of his boot and told him to Hike
QUIT" He sat up and blinked his eyes
until again ordered to vacate, and
then came to his senses sufficiently to
make a plea for himself. which wa
unavailing. The brakeman was OBJ
durate and threatening. until the SPY
crawled stifly out.
He sat YEARLY down on q pile Of
ties, and the brakeman, still watchful,
stood in front until the long train
dragged past, then reached out .
grimy hand, swung lightly onto the
steps Of the caboose, and shook his
astatthe supposed Chinaman ~ he de
appeared. A trampof themostdegradsd
sort approached him and With the
camaraderie Of the homeless dropped
va