The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-11-11


some soft patch of grass.
I turned when it suddenly occurred
to me that the deserted hut might
contain something 1 could use to ad.
vantage firearm, perhaps, or oven
stray box of matches. I felt about
me cautiously, creeping along tho
hard earthen floor until had nearly
reached the opposite entrance. The
light from the fire without leaped up,
and its glow revealed saddle, with
leather holster attached, hanging to
nall Just within the doorway. NOV.
ing noiselessly managed to extract q
revolver. but could discover no cart.
ridges
was yet fumbling in the holster
pocket when the lieutenant rose from
his seat without, knocked the ashes
from his pipe, yawned sleepily, stand.
ing directly between me and the fire.
and then, turning sharply, walked
slowly into the open door of the hut.
/ sprang to my feet, or he would Ger.
tainly have stepped upon me, and be-
fore he could realize the situation I
had him by the collar, with the cold
muzzle Of my stolen revolver pressed
hard against his cheek
"A single word or sound, and
dre!" said sternly.
l have no recollection of ever sec.
ing any one more completely as.
founded. He gasped like fish newly
landed, and doubt If he could have
made utterance even had he dared.
Come in little farther" l com.
manded. Nov look here. Lieutenant,
you do exactly as I tell you and you
will get out Of this affair with whole
skin; otherwise-well. I'm playing
this game to the limit. Now answer
mo: How many men have you mount
cd this side the ford?''
He glared at me sullenly, and 1
drew back the hammer with an omin.
GUS click, cycling him fiercely.
Well" said shortl- do you
choose to answer, or die>
1.-TWO"
ION the other bankf"
"None."
Lieutenant" I said. speaking low,
but In tone which left no doubt as to
my exact meaning, II am an escaped
prisoner, and shall not hesitate to Fill
rather than be recaptured. 1t Is your
life or mine tonight, and / naturally
prefer my own; but I'll give you one
chance, and only one-obey my orders
and I will leave you here unhurt; dis.
obey, and your life is not worth the
snap Of finger. Move back now un.
till you face the door, and don't forget
my pistol Is within an inch of your
ear, and this is a hair trigger. What
IL your sergeant's name?"
"Handley."
"Ordsr him to take ten men on foot
one hundred yards west on the pike.
and wait further orders"
"Handley," he called out, his voice
80 choked with rage as to make me
fearful 1T might arouse suspicion,
take ten men on foot to the cross
roads, and wait there until you hear
from me-"
could plainly note tho dark shad-
ows of the fellows as they filed out
past the fire, but never ventured to
take eye or gun off the man watched.
How many remain there now?"
Seven"
ANY non-com. among them?"
"A corporal"
"Have him take them oil south on
the crossroads"
Jones'" he called out huskily.
yes, SIR
Take what men you have left
hundred yards south on the cross.
road"
We could hear them crunching
their way through tho bushes, until
the sound finally died out in the dis.
lance.
Nov. Lieutenant, you come with
me-sofly, and keep your distance"
We moved back slowly, step by step,
until we came to the roar door of the