Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-04-10

80
awoke her fears. Look behind I mutt
tered between my set teeth.
She turned and on the instant uttered
a low cry. A wherry like our own. but
even lighter-in my first glance up the
river I had not noticed it-had stolen
nearer to us and yet nearer, and now.
throwing aside disguise, was In hot pur-
suit OF US. There were three men on
board, two rowing ana one steering.
When they saw that we had discov-
cred them. they hailed us In a loud
voice, are1 | heard the steersman's feet
rattle on the boards as he cried out to
his men to give way and stamped I'm
very eagerness. My only reply was TO
take a longer stroke and pulling hard
to sweep away from them.
Blu presently my first strength died
away, and the work began to tell upon
me, and little by little they overhauled
us. Not that | gave up at once for
that. They were still some so yards
behind. and for a few minutes, at any
rate. | might put off capture. A the
worst they were only three to one. and
their boat looked light and cranky and
easy to upset.
So ! pulled on, s~avagely straining at
the oars. But my chest heaved and
my arms ached more and more
with each stroke. The banks
slid by US. We turned n
bend. then another. though | saw moth
ing OF them. l saw only the pursuing
boat, on which my eyes were hxed,
heard only the measured rattle of the
oars in the rowlocks. A minute. two
minutes. three minute passed. They
had not gained on us, but the water
was beginning TO waver before my
eyes: their boat seemed floating in the
air; there was a pulsation in my ears
louder than that of the oars: | strug-
gied n yet | tagged. My knees trem-
bled. Their boat hot nearer now, near
er and nearer. SO that / could read the
smile of triumph on the steersman's
dark face and hear his cry of exulta-
ton. Nearer. and her with a cry I
dropped my oars.
quick" l panied 10 my companions.
Change prsces with me! Sol" Trem-
bling n out OF breath as I was. I
crawled between the women and
gained the stern sheets of the boat. AS
| passed the Mistress Bertram she
clutched my arm. Her eyes, as they
met mine, flashed fire; her lips were
white. THE man steering!" she Missed
between her teeth. Leave the others.
He is Clarence, and fear him.
/ nodded, but still. as the hostile BOAT
bore swiftly down upon us. | cast a
glance around to see II there were any
help at hand. / saw no sign OF any.
| saw only the pale blue sky overhead
and the stream flowing swiftly under
he boat. | drew my sword. The case
was one rather for despair than cour-
age. The women were in my charge.
and, tx | did not acquit myself like a
man now, when should | do so? Bah
il would soon be over!
There was an instant'S confusion in
the other boat as the crew ceased row
ing, and. seeing my attitude. and not
liking Ii. changed their seats. To my
JOY the man who had hitherto been
steering flung a curse at the others and
came forward to bear the brunt OF the
encounter. He was a tall, sinewy man,
past middle age, with a clean shayen
face. a dark complexion and cruel eyes.
So he was Master Clarence, Well. he
had the air OF u swordsman and a sol
der. | trembled for the women.
Surrender, you fool" he cried TO me
narshly. In the queens name, do you
hear? What do you in this company"
l answered nothing. for | was out OF
breath. But softly. my eyes on his. I
drew out with my left hand my hunt
ing knife. II | could beat aside his
sword. | would spring upon him and
drive the knife home with that hand.
So. standing erect IN bow and stern, We
faced n another. the man and the boy,
h flush OF rage and exertfon on my
cheek, a dark shade on his. And ST.
lently the boats drew together
Thought Is ~quick-quicker thar any
thing else in the world, I suppose. for
in some drawn out second before the
boats In together / had time to- won
der where 1 had seen his face before
and to rack my memory 4 knew no
Master Clarence. yet l had seen this
man somewhere. Another second, and
away with thought! He was crouchfng
for a spring. l drew back N little. then
lunged-lunged with heart and hand.
Our swords crossed and w~histled-just
crossed-and wen as / saw his eyes
CLEAN behind his point the shock OF the
two boats coming together flung us
both backward and apart. A moment
we reeled. staggering and throwing out
Wild hands. I strove hard to recover
myself-n4Y, / almost did so-then I
caught my DOT in Mistress Anne's
'ciooK. which she had left in her place.
and fell heavily back into the boat
was up in II moment-on my knees ar
least-and unhurt. But another was
before me. As I stopped. half risen, I
saw one moment a dark shadow abovs
me. and the next a sheet OF flame shone
before my eyes, and q tremendous
shock swept all away. / fell senseless
into the bottom OF the boat, knowing
nothing OF what had happened to- me
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