The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-10-19

grim play with Fate, where the stakes
we're life and death. felt my pulses
throb as rode steadily forward. fair
ly thrusting the darkness, asider my
teeth hard set, my left hand heavily
on g revolver butt. Y $50
How, IN such situation, the nerves
Jingle and thes heart bounds to each
strange sight and soundl Haiti
what was that? Pooh! no more than
the deeper shadow Of sharply pro-
jecting rock. around. which we pick
careful way, our horses crowding
against each other In the narrow
space. And that? Nothing but the
faint moan of the night wind amid
the dead limbs of tree All! mark
that sudden flash of light! The hand
that closes iron-like upon the loosened
rein opens again. for 1t was merely
star silently falling from out the
black depths of the sky. Then both
of us halt at once. and peer anxiously
forward. The figure standing direct
ly in the center of our path can 1t be
sentry at last? A cautious step for
ward, low laugh from the sergeant.
and we circle the gaunt, blackened
stump, as silent ourselves as the
night about us, but with hercely beat
ing, ,expectant hearts. -
But hark Surely that was no com
mon sound, born of that drear loneii-
nessl No cavalrynan can mistake the
jingle Of Announcements or the dull
thud of horses's hoofs,. The road here
must have curved sharply, for they
were already so close upon us that,
almost simultaneously with the sound.
we could distinguish the deeper
shadow of small compact body OF
horsemen directly In our front. To
left of US there rose. sheer and black.
the pretipitous rock; to right we might
not even guess what yawning void.
1t was either wit of sword play now
/ know not how It may be with others
in such emergencies. but with me 1t
always happens that the sense OF fear
departs with the presence OF actual
DANGER Before the grewsome fancies
of imagination may quake and burn
like any maiden alone upon a city
street at night. until each separate
nerve becomes very demon OF mem
tai agony: but when the real and
known once fairly confronts me, and
there is work to do, grow instantly
cool to think, resolute to act, and find
rare Joy in it. 1t was SO now, and,
revolver In hand hut hiddenl beneath
my holster flap, | leaned oyer and
touched Craigs arm.
Keep quiet" whispered sterniy
Let them challenge first, and no
firing except OH my order"
Almost with the words there came
the sharp hail:
Haiti Who comes there?"
drew the cape OF my riding jacket
closer, SO as better to muffie the
sound of my voice.
Friends, of course; who would you
expect to meet on this road?"
Fortune seemed with me In the
chance ssrnswet. for he who had hailed
exclaimed
"Oh! is that you. Brennan?"
There was no time now for hesi-
fancy; here was my cue. and must
plunge. ahead. accepting the chances.
ventured It.
'No: Brennan couldn't come. | am
here in his place"
Indeed! Who are your
major Wilke."
There was a moments painful
pause, in which IL could hear my
heart throb.
"Wilkie," repeated the voice, doubt
fully. There Is mo officer OF that
name in. the Forty third"
well, there chances to be such an
oficer on the staff, retorted, permit
ting tracs of anger to appear in my
tone. "and am the man."
What the devil is the difference.
Hale. Just what his name Isl" doomed
! a deeper voicc back in the group. I'VE
are not getting UP directory Of the
sixth corps. OF course he's the man
Brennan sent, and that is all we've
got to look after
'Oh. all right. certainly. major" re-
turned the first speaker, hastily. But
| the night is so cussed black sup
posed we must be at least mile this
side of where we were to meet. How
ever. we have the lady here for you.
all right, and she Is anxious enough to
get on. -
RIO RE CONTINUED