The Huttig news., 1911-09-23


 silk purlng between the cliff and the opposing shores. where a thicket of ta~arisks rose, black and ragged wall.
 tahertouche strode of into the wa ter. Straight ahead" he announced; don't worry 'tisn't more than knee | deep at the worst I've horses waiting on the other side"
 "Hersesi" Amber interrupted Great heav' ms, man, you're-you're omnis- oient,"
 "No-lueigy." Labertouche retorted briskly. "Where'd I been without Ram Nath? He's taking care of the animals Come along. What re you waiting for? Don't you know i He turned to see the girl hesitant though with lifted skirts. oh" he | said in an accent of understanding and came back. "If you'll help me. Amber, I dafesay we can get Miss Far rell across without wetting''
 He offered to clasp hands with the virginian and so make a seat: but Amber had happier thought
 
 thank you-if Miss Farrell will trust me"
 His eyes -~e4 the girls. and Tn hers he read tru and faith intending: he was conscious of curious fiuttering in his bosom.
 Trust you," she said with little. broken laugh, and gave herself freely to his arms.
 Labertouehe grunted and turned his back. wading out into the stream with a great splashing.
 Amber strengthened up. holding her very close to him. and that with ease. Had she been thrice as heavy he could have borne her with as little care as he did his own :mmeasurably frightened heart In that hour of fulfillment. The further bank neared all too quickly. He would willingly have fingered to prolong the stolen sweetness of that moment forgetful altogether of the danger that lay behind him.
 Ahead he saw Labertouche step out upon a shelving shore and. shaking his legs with an effort irresistibly sug- gestive of a dog leaving the water peer ineud through the tamarisks. His low, whIstied signal sounded as Am Der joined him and put down the girl reluctantly Her whispered thanks were interrupted by an exclamation from Labertouche.
 Hang it ail he can't have mistaken the spot told him to wait right here and now We daren't de lay" He cast an apprehensive glance across the stream. Look lively. please"
 He shouldered a way through the thicket, and for several moments they struggled on through the hindering un- dergrowth. their passage betrayed by much noisy rustling. Then, as they won through to open ground, Laber touche paused and whistled a second time, staring eagerly from right to left.
 "Tm bIessedt" he declared, with vehemence that argued his desire for stronger language. This Is bad-bad 1 bad! He never failed me before! | r."
 A mocking chuckle seemed to break from the ground at their feet, snd In the flicker of an eyelash a shadow l lifted up out of the scrub level. Sophia cried aloud with alarm; Labertouche swore outright, needless: and Amber put himself before her. drawing his revolver. heartsick with the conviction that they were trapped. that their labor had gone all for naught, that all futilely had they schemed and dared.
 But while his finger was yet seeking the trigger the first shadow was jo ned by score of fellows-shades that ma terialized with the swiftness and si lence from the surface of the earth and before he could level the weapon Labertouche seized his wrist For an instant he resisted, raging with dis appointment: but the Englishman was cool strong. determined; inevitably in the outcome the weapon was point ed to the sky.
 Steady, you asst" breathed the se- cret agent In his ear Cant you see"
 And Amber gave over. in amaze ment unbounded, seeing the starlight glinting down a dozen leveled rifle barrels. glowing pale on the spiked, rounded crowns of pith helmets. and striking soft fire from furnished .ac- coutrements; while voice, thick with brogue that was never bred out of hearing Of Bow Bells, was hectoring them to surrender
 "'Ands up. ye bloomin' black beg gars 'Ands up, 1 s'y," "Tommies," cried Amber; and in- confidently he dropped the revolver as though it had turned hot in his | hand.
 Steady, my man." Labertouche in terrupted what threatened to develop l into a string of intolerable abuse Hold your tongue Cant you see we've lady with us?"
 "Ul-lo!. The soldier lowered his rife and stepped closer his voice vi- brating with astonishment "Blimme, 'ere's go! . beggar of nig- ger givin me wotfor s if e was gent 'Oo in ell dye think y'are, yer 'ighness?''