Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-11-11

those towards out yonder. I'm not
afraid Of noise"
Dog" he yelled and sprang upon
mo.
But I had my pistol QUIT was his
life or mine-and fred straight into
that savage countenance. ! saw the
gaping hole the bullet left; I saw the
blood squirt from II as he pitched
forward at my feet. Then a score
Of savage hands seized me, and I
thought for an instant that I should
be torn asunder. But a mounted pa
up, cut their way through the crowd,
and jerked me out Of its clutches.
"What Is all this?" demanded their
officer.
In two words they told him the
story pointing to the body on the
floor and to the girl covering in one
corner, her hands before her face.
They ended by demanding that I be
hanged forthwith.
"oh, he shall hang" my new cap
tain assured them. 'Rest contenti
But he may be a spy nj first Wen
see what he knows. Tie his hands"
They were secured behind my back
in q twinkling.
Bring the woman, too" he said,
and n Of them brought her forth
and threw her across a horse. I
saw with a sigh OF relief that she had
tainted. "Give me your rope, Cou-
thon," he added to one OF his men.
This rope was a strong yet slender
line, Already in one end of It there
vas q running moose, and I shuddered
as 7 guessed It's meaning. u5 threw
the moose over my head, drew 1t tight
about my neck and made the other
end fast to a ring In his saddle.
Release him." he commanded, with
an evil laugh. He can't get away.
Forward"
For an instant, the thought flashed
through my brain hat I would n
it here, that I would let myself be
dragged under the hoofs OF h horses.
Then, as g. trooper cantered by me
bering a limp form before him. I real
ICED my cowardice. So long as q
breath Of life remained, I must fight
to save her from the hideous fate
which threatened her.
So I ran along in the dust beside
my captor In such an agony Of rage
and despair as I had never known.
If a wish of mine could have engulfed
the world in ruin, I would instantly
have uttered 1t. I prayed for an
earthquake to swallow US, for a thun-
derbolt to blast us. I looked up at the
clear sky and cursed 1t, SO this was
the end-for me. death by the rope
for her
The lights of the camp CLEANED
ahead. In a moment, we passed theI
sentinel and approached a tent before
which another sentry was stationed.
Announce to Citizen Gouion," said
my captor, reinning in his horse, that
We have W traitors to be judged"
The sanNrxv eaY,,faI u-a 1gsr~yen-nE
into the tent. AS for me, my heart
stopped at the mention of that name.
Goujonl Was he to prove my muir
derer, too? And Charlotte
ENTER, citizen" said the sentry,
holding back the flap Of the tent.
Ny captor threw himself from the
saddle, and led me into the tent, the
rope still about my neck. Another
followed carrying Charlotte.
Within the tent was a able upon
which two candles cleaned. Before IL
sat @ man examining q Pile OF papers,
He looked up as We entered, and I
shuddered as I met his eyes; for they
seemed a snakes eyes, so yelled and
cold and venomous they were. The face
was pock-marked, olammy-grey, and
the nose so assured and swollen that
it had the appearance Of q sponge.
He glanced from me to the burden
which the trooper bore and a slow
flush crept into his cheeks.
"Well?" he asked, sharply, turning
back to my captar.
And again l had the pleasure Of list
ening to the highly-colored story Of
my recent exploit. I was a murderer.
a traiLvr-undoubtedly an a~ristocrat.
| had shot down In cold blood the Of
icer who was ~interrogating me. I
was plainly a most desperate charac-
ter, and should be hanged at once be-
fore / had further opportunity for
evil.
But just before hanging him." nv
captor concluded. II thought it best to
bring him to o for interrogation. He
may be a spy"
Goujon nodded.
you were right" he said. Receive
my compliments. Tie him to that pole
yonder. As for the woman, place her
on my cot; we shall find means to
revive her." and he laughed menac-
but say within call"
They saluted and withdrew.
Goujon waited until the flap fell
behind them, Then he approached me
slowly, until he was quite near. and
contemplated me with those snakes
eyes OF hts-my face, my clothes, my
shoes. Then, with a little smile Of en-
joyment, he turned away and bent
above the cot, his hands clasped be-
hind him. At last he turned to the
table, took up a candle, and held the
fame close 10 her lips. 1t fickered
back and forth. n he set II down
again with a chuckle Of satisfaction.
Then he came back to me and stood
for a moment gloating over me.
$50, Citizen Tavernay," he said. M
last, with an Internal smile, you aid
not escape, after ALL"
Continued Next Weekly