The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1911-12-13


would not come. Knowing well the
danger of such delay. hastily pushed
aside the ring of men. and fronted
him, determined to end this foolish
ness then and there.
Major Brennan" ! said firmly. ig
noring his efforts to silence me, you
must listen to reason whether you
wish to do SO or not. My troopers
are all around you; | have two men to
your one in this house, and can en-
force my will If necessary. Now mark
what | say-we are not here in anger
or in war. but to help you in the pro-
lection of endangered women. We
captured your courier. have dispatched
one of our own number into the Fed
eral camp for aid. and have fought
our way in here to stand beside you
and your men in defence of this
house against those ruffians without.
You can use us or not. just as you
please; II rests with you to say wheth-
er we shall be comrades in arms on
this occasion, or whe her | shall as
sumo command by the power of force
which | chance to control"
lie seemed utterly unable to grasp
my full meaning. to comprehend the
situation.
You mean. you would fight with
us? under my commando" he asked in
credulously
Il offer my services under your or
ders." | replied clearly. and these
men In ay Will obey mine
| actually thought he would extend
his hand but some remembrance sud
denly restrained him.
"i-of course. Captain Wayne" he
stammered. at length. II must ac-
cept your offer IL am grateful for
IT. but | shall insist upon one thing;
there must be final settlement of the
personal matter existing between us.
l am not willing to waive my rights
In this
There is no occasion for your doing
SO. SIR" | answered coldly. for | con-
sidered the reference at that moment
in extremely I'll taste. When our
work here has been accomplished. you
will find me very much at your serv-
ice"
He bowed gravely.
Il am exceedingly glad we under
stand each other" he said. May
ask the size Of your commando"
Sergeant" ! questioned. whom
have We lostr"
Nelson vos kilt. I drinks: der Kid
Is not here yet, und Sands vos wound
ed bad
Very well: then. Major Brennan, |
tender you sixteen men At for duty.
besides myself You are doubtless
acquainted with the house. aud can
assign us to positions where our sery-
Ices Will prove Of greatest value
He had completely recovered his
self-control by this time. and spoke
now with the tsrse sentences OF a
tried soldier.
Il thank you. Captain Wayne. and
will ask you to choose four men and
assume command OF the east side of
the house. Cation. you take the same
number for defense OF the rear. Cap
tain. what 10 your sergeant's nsme7"
'Ebers. an experienced German sol
der"
Il should have suspected his ma
tionality. Let him have command OF
four more. and cover the west win
dows. ! shall defend the front myself.
as have been doing"
Very we'll" I answered shortly. for
his eyes had remained fixed upon mo
all the time he was talking Take
the positions assigned you. lads. and
do not permit a man from without 10
put foot on the veranda. II they once
succeed In getting under cover of the
porch roof. they will give US plenty OF
trouble
The position for defence assigned
to my care took me into the dining
room of the mansion-a spacious. al
most square apartment. containing
three large windows reaching nearly
TO the floor. The outside blinds had
been closed. but the g'ass in the panes
was mostly broken. and there were
other evidences that the firing had
been both heavy and continuous.
found two soldiers Of BTennan's party
within. both lying upon the floor. and
peering cautiously through the aper
lures of the blinds. They glanced up
at us with undisguised amazement
It's all right. lads" said heartily.
Never mind our colors tonight. We
are all fighting the same way"