Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-07

containing but . single room prob
lably mere Asherman's shack, With
out windows, but possessing door
at either end. Meeting no opposition
I :crept within, whore n felt some
what safer from observation, and then
peered warily forth into the darkness
extending between 1t and the river.
The picket.rope stretched from one
corner Of tho hut, where 1t seemed to
be secured around the end OF pro
iecting log. out into the night. evil
emily finding its other terminus at a
big tree whose spreading top I could
dimly perceive Swallowed against the
sky. Along 1t were tethered the
horses, few impatiently champing
their bits and pounding with their
hoofs on the trampled ground, but the
majority resting quietly, their heads
hanging sleepily down. The one near.
est me appeared finely proportioned
amir = OF a dark color, and was
equie with both saddle and bride.
OF t. soldier in charge could dis
tinguisn nothing doubtless he was
,lounging on his back. half asleep upon
some soft patch of grass.
turned when 1t suddenly occurred
to me that the deserted hut might
contain something could use to adj
vantage frearm, perhaps, or even
. stray box of matches felt about
ne cautiously. creeping along the
hard earthen floor until had nearly
reached the opposite entrance. The
hight from the fire without leaped UP.
and its glow revealed saddle, with
leather holster attached, hanging to
nail just within the doorway. NOV
Ing noiselessly managed to extract a
revolver, but could discover no cart
ridges. :
I I 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 l
had him by the collar, with the cold
muzzle Of my stolen revolver pressed
hard against his cheek.
"A single word or sound, and I
'hre!" said sternly.
have no recollection Eof ever see
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 a little farther" com
manded. Nov look here, Lieutenant
you do exactly as 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
me: How many men have you mount
ed this side the ford?"
He glared at me sullenly, and
drew back the hammer with an omin.
GUS click, cycling him fiercely.
Well said shortly, do you
choose to answer, or die?"
Two"
ION the other bank?"
None"
Lieutenant" said, speaking low,
but in tone which left no doubt as to
my exact meaning, Il am an escaped
prisoner, and shall not hesitate to kill
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 will leave you here unhurt; dis.
obey, and your life is not worth the
snap OF finger. Move back now I'm.
till you face the door, and don't forget
my pistol Is within an inch Of your
ear, and this is hair trigger. What
IL your sergeant's name?"
"Handley."
Order him to take ten men on foot
one hundred yards west on the pike
and wait further orders
"Handley, he called out. his voice
so choked with rage a. 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 the dark shad
ows of the fellows as they filed out
past the fire, but never ventured to
take eye or gun OF the man watched
"How many remain there now?''
i. ''Sevsn.
"Any non.com. among them?"
"a corporal"
i Have him take them al south on
the crossroads"
Jones" he called out huskily.
Yes. sir"
q take what men you have left {
hundred yards south ON the cross
road II
We could hear them crunchins
their way through tho bushes, until
the sound finally died out In the dis
ltancs. q.
i "Now. Lieutenant, you come with
me softly. and keep your distance =
I, We moved back slowly. step BY step
until We came to the rear door OF the
shed. / reached out into the darkness,
but without turning my face away
from him, ana silently severed the
ptckstrope, retaining the loosened
end Ia my grasp It was 20 intensely
dark whore We stood that L slipped the
PISTOL unobasrvsa Into my belt. Il 4.
& "EAco 20 the rear,''I said sternly.