Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-02
CHAPTER XXXy.

- INV ~ dOhh u
4 board of inky clouds. the
|eTSz.SSi alarm shots at Brannon, the
80 shouting, the reports of the
Gatlings and the trumpet calls fe.
sharp and clear upon the shack. Dal-
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's 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
teryening grove of cottonwoods and
the form of Il man who was racing riv
erward from the swale. He disappear
ed. swelling the distant clamor with a
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
W nat Latpp liiIlE At lllC lOI l.
The, younger girl scrambled to her
feet, putting out nervous hands TO her
sister. Dallas quoted 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 thiclened into u roaring
Of VIII. ,1,, ta1
the troopers like. flies in the light of
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.
I'll put on my shoes, and we can
go down Il ways, SOS to see close
Shall l, Dali
'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
ou-Quick!"
Are We going down To watch?"
mo"
The barracks and the stables were
high. cherry hued pyres, terrible
enough to the. eye, with their tops
crooking northward III the wind. To
Dallas ear they were far more terri
bic. telling of awful suffering limiting
of dirctGl intent. For the nearer pyre
sent proof of sacrifice. She could
hear the screams OF 4 horse.
The belt found. she stepped back to
the door. Hurry, hurry she said.
The old iron resolve never to desert
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 Il trembling hand. "Marylyn,
Marylynl The boat! She's Going."
They looked and saw black fun
neled bulk floating across the watery
strip mantled by the blaze.
Maybe they thought it'd burn" sug-
gested Marylyn. See, there's sparks
flying that way"
Dallas leaned back against the door.
Il guess-that's it," she said slowly.
Then after moment: But why didn't
they bring her straight across? There's
no place to tie up down stream"
why, there's fire breaking out all
over now" cried the younger girl for
getting to be afraid in her wonder and
excitement. See. One of the little
houses is caught
1t was the first cabin of Clothespln
row. Two or three men were near It,
At that distance thee seemed gayly