The Lamar register., 1911-11-15

more"
"Pervidin' alters tibet Their Johnnies
don't skedaddle fust," commented an
other. tartly. "Whut in thunder is
her matter with them hosses?" he
asked suddenly. rising and peering
over into the bushes beyond the hut,
where a noise of squealing and kick
ing had arisen.
"Oh. the bay Ally is probably over
the rope agln," returned the ser
geant, lazily. sit down, Sims, an be
easy; you're not on boss guard ter
night"
Il know thet," growled the soldier.
doubtfully. but tibet thar kid is no
good. an l don't want my boss all
banged up just as we're goin' on
campaign. 'Tain't no sorter way ter
hitch 'em anyhow, to picket rope;
ruins more bosses than Their Rebs
dew"
This gave me inspiration. and be-
fore the speakers sullen growl had
wholly ceased was again upon hands
and knees. silently cropping my way
along the bank toward the rear of the
hut. 1t proved to be tiny structure.
containing but a single room-prob-
ably a mere fisherman's shack. with
out windows. but pos sessing door
at either end. Meeting no opposition
| crept within, where / felt some
what safer from observation, and then
peered wVily forth into the darkness
extending between 1t and the river.
The picket-rope stretched from one
corner OF the hut, where It seemed to
be secured around the end OF pro-
iecting log. out into the night. evil
IDENTIFY finding Its other terminus at a
big tree whose spreading top l could
dimly perceive Swallowed against the
sky. Along 1t were tethered the
horses. a 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
animal OF a dark color. and was
OF the soldier in charge could dis
tinguish nothing-doubtless he was
lounging on his back. half asleep upon
some soft patch Of grass.
turned when It suddenly occurred
10 me that the deserted hut might
contain something l could use to ad-
vantage-a nrearm. perhaps. OF even
stray box Of matches. I felt about
me cautiously. creeping along the
hard earthen floor until I had nearly
reached the opposite entrance. The
light from the FIRE without ieaped up.
and its glow revealed saddle. with
leather holster attached. hanging to
a nail Just within the doorway. NOV
ing noiselessly managed to extract a
revolver, but could discover no cart
ridges.
I was yet fumbling in the holster
pocket when the lieutenant rose from
his seat without. knocked the ashes
from his pipe. yawned sieepily. stand
and then. turning sharply. walked
slowly Into the open door Of the hut.
l sprang to my feet. or he would GER
tainly have stepped upon me. and be-
fore he could realize the situation
had him By the collar. with the cold
muzxle Of my stolen revolver pressed
had against his cheek.
"A single word or sound. and
nrsi" I said sternly.
I have NO recollection Of ever see
ing any one more completely as
founded. He gasped like a fish newly
landed. and I doubt II he could have
made utterance even had he dared.
Come In a little farther" I com
manded. Now look here. Lieutenant.
you do exactly as I tell you and you
will get out OF this AFFAIR with a 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" I said shortly. do you
choose TO answer. or def"
Two"
'On the other bank?"
None"
Lieutenant" I said. speaking low,
but In tone which left no doubt as to
my exact meaning. Il am an escaped
pris oner. and shall not hesitate to kill
rather than be recaptured. 1t is your
1ff.. min IIxf