The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1911-09-27

ing to what I felt was doubtless the
wiser course, and mechanically grasp
Ing the rein he held out to me. go
ahead. But be careful, and don't
waste any time. If we hear the sound
of a shot We shall ride forward under
spur" .
"All right, sir, but there'll be no
fuss. fer know just whar ther Teller
is
Time seems criminally long when
one is compelled to wait in helpless
uncertainty. every nerve on strain.
Hold yourself ready for a sudden
start" l said. warningly to my COM
panion. IF there is any noise Of
struggle yonder l shall drive in the
spurs"
AS | spoke | swung the sergeant's
horse around to my side, where
could control him more readily.
There was no reply from the wom-
an. but l noticed she endeavored to
draw together the Tapping cape OF
her cloak, as though she felt chilled
by the wind and her figure seemed to
stiffen In the saddle.
II came AT ihst-uot Tue ouaip haoa
Of musket cleaving the night in
twain. but merely the tall figure Of
the sergeant. stealing silently out of
the gloom like a black ghost. and
standing at our very horses heads.
"All clear, SIR" he reported in a
matter-of-fact tone. But we shall
hev ter move mighty quiet. fer Their
mi in nj uinff q
hundred yards ter the right O. Their
crossin'."
He did not remount. but. with reins
flung loosely over his arm. led the
way slowly forward. and carefully we
followed him.
What had become Of the sentinel
did not know. respecting Craig's evil
dent desire for silence; but as we
drew nearer the White Briar road
sought in vain to pierce tho dense
gloom and note some sign OF strug-
gle. some darker shadow where
body might be lying. There was moth
Ing visible to tell the story.
The sergeant walked without the
least hesitation across the open space.
into the deep shadows oppo-
site. where the cross-road continued
to hold way. Crouching low in the
saddle. we followed him as silently
as though We were but spirits Of the
night. Up the road caught the red
CLEAN Of q nre almost spent. and
black figure crossed US. casting an odd
against the face Of the rock
where II was lighted by the pickering
red blaze. 1t was all over in mo-
ment, a mere glimpse. but It formed
one Of those sudden pictures which
paint themselves ON the brain and
can never after be effaced. recall
yet the long shade cast by the mans
gun. the grotesque shape Of his fiap-
ping army overcoat. the quick change
In the silhouette as he wheeled to re-
trace his beat. But there was no
noise. not even the sound Of bis foot
steps. reaching US. Even AZ ! gazed.
lying open at full length upon my
horse, We had crossed the open. and q
perfect tangle OF low bushes hid US
- completely a. II We had entered the
mouth of q cavern.
A hundred yards or more Of sharply
curving road densely lined with shrub
berry on either hand, and then Craig
swung into saddle and again gave
spur TO his horse.
We must ride for It now" he said.
tsrssly. When thet patrol makes
their round. them fsllsrs will be after
~ hot"
I urged my tired horse to . gallop.
pressing upon Craig's heels A. closely
10 dared: nor did l glance back. for
knew well that . dead picket was
lying somewhere by the crossroads.
and that his comrades would be heard
from before dawn. We were moving
bravely now: for the road under foot
grew better as We advanced. and gave
back the dull thud OF soft earth In
stead Of the rafting clang Of the
rocks we had been SO long accustomed
TO. Then. suddenly. my horse was
jerked almost to q standstill. the hand
upon his bit seemingly as hard as my
own, and wheeled In the saddle.
pressing my knees tightly to prevent
being thrown. only to perceive the
Juggling desperately at the
lines
What now?" I asked sharply, and
In sudden anger l forced her to re-
lease her grasp I'VE must ride and