The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-02-07
CHAPTER xV.-Continued.

Inere'S line OF the South caro-
lima militia crawling through the
woods toward Raccoon creek They
Insist that it's practice skirmish and
that they've come over here because
the landscape is naturally adapted to
their purposes"
ITS awfully nice of them to like
my scenery. You'd better send your
best man out to meet Col. Gillingwa-
ter of the North Carolina militia, and
tell him to march all his troops into
the estate by the north gates, and to
be In a hurry. Tell him-tell him
Gov. Dangerfleld is anxious to have
the staff present in full uniform at a
grand ball at Ardsley tonight
Ardmore rode off alone toward Rae
coon creek to catch a view of the
enemy. How far would Grswold go?
Ardmore could go as far as Girls
void; yet he was puzzled to know
why Griswold was in the field at all.
These reflections carried him far to-
ward RaccoOn creek, and when he had
reached that tortuous stream he dis
mounted and tied his horse, the more
freely to examine the frontier. By
jumping from boulder to boulder he
crossed the turbulent tide and gained
the other side with a sense of enter
ing the enemy's country.
Now" he muttered, Il am in South
Carolina"
He drew out his map and held it
against tree the better to study It,
reassuring himself that his own prop
erty line embraced several sections Of
the forest on the south side of the
state boundary.
IF Grissy shoots me, it will be on
my own land" he said aloud.
He cautiously followed the stream
until. several hundred yards farther
on, and Overhanging the creek, he
.ame upon the log cabin In which Big
Paul had reported the presence of a
ghost. Pauls story had not inter-
ssted him particularly, but now that
he was in the neighborhood he re-
solved to visit the cabin and learn II
possible how ghosts amuse themselves
by day. He had thrust revolver into
his pocket before leaving the house
and while he had no idea that ghosts
may be shot, he now made sure that
the weapon was in good order AS he
sat on log slipping the cylinder
through his fingers he heard whis-
Ting farther along the creek, followed
quickly by the swapping of twigs un-
der a heavy tread, and a moment later
tall, slender man broke into view.
The stranger was dressed like a
countryman, but he was Enthusiastically
not of the Ardsley force of workmen,
for these wore a rough sort of uni
form His hands were thrust careless
ly into the side pockets of gray
jeans coat. They were thrust in deep,
so that the coat sagged at the pockets.
His trousers were turned up from a
pair of rough shoes and he wore a
gray flannel shirt, the collar of which
was guiltless Of tie. He was smooth
shaver, and carried in his mouth a
short pipe, which he paused to relight
when about dozen yards from Ard
more. Then, as he held the lighted
match above the pipe bowl for an In.
slant to make sure his tobacco was
burning, Ardmore jumped up and Gov
cred him with the pistol
81 beg your pardon" said the mas
ter of Ardsley, but you're my pris
oner!"
The stranger shook the flame out
of the match-stick carefully and threw
1t away before turning toward his
captor.
young man." he said with perfect
self-possession. don't fool with thai
gun, it SHIT so off,
His draTl was characteristic of the
'egion; his tone was one of amused
tolerance. Ardmore was short O
stature, and his knickerbockers
leggings and Norfolk jacket were
not wholly consonant with the re
volver, which, however, he levele(
very steadily at the strangers head.
You are an intruder on my proper
"" said the master Of Ardsley, IAN,