The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-12-09
CHAPTER XIX.
Under Cover Of Night.

CHAPTER XIX.
Under Cover Of Night.
Elwood's horse ardently breasted
the hill for home.
The night was sul young. He
had trave.ed fast, and it yet wanted
two hours to midnight Time meant
everything to him just now; more
than he could tell.
His journey had been without one
single alarming incident by the
way The country was wrapt In the
perfect calm of an African night
which suggested nothing but peace.
But It left him quite untouched. He
rode hard every yard of the way, for
he knew the value of every second
gained
The house was very quiet. There
were no lights. The wide spread of
buildings and kraals behind II we're
sharply outlined in the moonlight,
just as were the trees of the loca-
tion away out on the right. There
was no sign of the presence of "the
men," as the Kaffir had called
them; there was no sign of any
thing unusual. Yet, as he rode UP,
the very silence, the absence OF
even the barking of the watchful
farm-dogs conveyed a portend of
coming storm.
He paused at the stoep fronting
the house, but did not tismount.
He listened, not with the expecta-
tion of hearing anything, but as a
man will listen who Is aware that
he Is in the midst of dangers
Then he passed round to the kraals
and outbuildings. The kitchenquar-
ters as he passed them we're wrap
ped in a deathly silence. yet all
seemed to be In perfect order. He
was satisfied that whatever was to
happen, Saturday hal Loyalty car
ried out his orders, and that he
was In time.
The kraals, too, were empty. The
were just as usual, ex-
cept that the spring wagon was not
there. An inspection OF the stables
revealed the forethOught OF those
who had left before his return. Ma.
Ix,
for use.
For the moment he had finished
with the farm. His way now took
him towards the location. and as
he rode every faculty was alert and
to detect the presence OF
the enemy. The village was undis.
turbeA Once only as he made his
way through the labyrinth OF trees
and kraals did dog give tongue
at the sight of him He passed on
swiftly, silently. and listened acute
ly as other dogs took up the alarm.
But no human being stirred.
He came to the house OF the
Here again was no sign !
Of life. He knew that it was emp
ty, and passed on towards the kraals
Of the old chief. Montsoia, and rous-
ed him and his hea1men up for a |
long paiaver
il
Midnivht cama anJ narced Tb,
moon was waning, its light becom.
ing less silvery and more yellow |
as the densed atmosphere interven-
I'd. ElwoOd emerged from the shad-
ow of The trees. For some distance |
he kept close in 10 the outskirts |
Of the village. Then, from the near
est point TO his house, he cut across |
the open and reached the stOep. For
a moment he sat thinking, then ne |
passed roun,il to the kraals hitched |
his horse to the back of one of |
The buildings In a dark angle where |
is presence would be difficult to
detect, and again made his way into
he house.
He passed straight into the sit
.ing-room, and saw with satisfaction
hat supper had been carefully laid |
out on the table for him. He lit
4 lamp, and discovered a note living
On his plate, and a soft smile came