The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-11-03

those towards out yonder. I'm not
afraid Of noisc.'
DOG" he yelled and sprang upon
mo.
But had my pistol Quit was his
life or mine--and fred straight into
gaping hole the bullet left: saw the
blood squirt from II as he pitched
forward at my feet Then a score
Of savage hands seized me. and
thought for an instant that should
be torn asunder. But mounted pa
troll, summoned by the shot, cantered
up, cut their way through the crowd.
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 L be
hanged forthwith.
"Oh. he shall hang" my new cap
tain assured them. REST content!
But he may be spy and first Wen
see what he knows. Tie his hands"
They were secured behind my back
In twinkling.
Bring the woman. too" he said.
and one Of them brought her forth
and threw her across a horse.
saw with sigh Of relief that she had
tainted. "Give me your rope. Cou-
thon." he added to one Of his men.
The rope was O. strong yet slender
line. Already In one end Of 1t there
was running moose. and shuddered
as I guessed its meaning. He threw
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 Mashed
through my brain that I would end
1t here, that ! would let myself be
dragged under the hoofs OF the horses.
Then, as n trooper cantered by me
bering limp form before him. real
lied my cowardice. So long as q
breath OF life remained, 1 must fight
to save her from the hideous fac
which threatened her.
So ran along In the dust beside
my captor In such an agony or rage
and despair as I had never known.
IL n wish of mine could have engulfed
the world In ruin. would instantly
have uttered 1t. prayed for an
derbolt to blast US. l looked up at the
clear sky and cursed It. So this was
the end--for me. death bv the rope
for her
The lights Of the camp cleaned
ahead. In q moment, we passed the
sentinel and approached a tent before
which another sentry was stationed.
Announce to Citizen Goujon," said
my captor, refining in his horse. that
we have two traitors to be judged"
The sentry saluted and disappeared
into the tent. As for me, my heart
stopped at the mention Of that name.
Goujon! Was he to prove my MUIR
derer, too? And Charlotte
Enter, citizen" said the sentry,
holding back the flap Of the tent.
My 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 q able upon
which two candles cleaned. Before II
sat man examining pile OF papers.
He looked up as we entered, and
shuddered as met his eyes: for they
seemed snakes eyes, SO yelled and
cold and venomous they were. The face
was peck marked. clammy- grey, and
the nose SO assured and swollen that
1t had the appearance Of sponge.
He glanced from me to the burden
which the trooper bore and q slow
flush crept into his cheeks.
"Well?" he asked, sharply, turning
And again had the pleasure OF list
ening to the highly-colored story Of
my recent exploit. l was q murderer,
traitor--undoubtedly an aristocrat.
had shot down in cold blood the Of
ficer who was interrogating me.
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." my
captor concluded. II thought 1t best to
bring. him to you for Interrogation. He
may be spy
Goujon nodded.
You were right" he said. Receive
my compliments. Tie him to that pole
yonder. AS for the woman, pace her
revive her." and he laughed menac-
ingly. You may retire." he added,
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 his-ny face, my clothes. my
shoes. Then, with q 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 candle, and ksld the
flame close to her lips. 1t fickered
back and forth, and he set 1t down
again with chuckle Of satisfaction.
Then he came back to me and stood
for a moment gloating over me.
$50, Citizen Tavernay," he said. at
last, with an Internal smile, "vou did
not escape, after all!'