Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-05-30

was upon my feet, conscious Of the
distant sound Of horses hoofs.
What is it? The enemy?"
Rangers; fifty of them, judge, an
they'll never pass here without rum
maging around. Quick now, under cov-
err"
"But what about yourself?"
Don't worry about me; those fell
lows haven't any evidence against me
yet They're after you"
l was through the intervening door
with bound and an instant later had
burrowed under the crumpled papers
The shifting of the sun had left this
corner Of the repair shop in shadow,
but was scarcely outstretched in my
hastily improvised hiding place, when
| heard the blacksmith calmly open
bis outer door, where he stood smok-
ing, clad in leathern apron. awaiting
the approaching horsemen, They
swept about the corner Of the smlthy
almost at the same moment, pulling
up their tired horses at sight Of him.
From amid the thud Of hoofs, and the
! rattle Of accoutrements, voice spoke
sharply:
$50 you're here, Farrell, you old
rebel hypocrite. Well, what are you
bidigg pow%
II was not aware that I had any
thing to hide, Captain Grant," was the
dignified response. "This is my shop,
an where should be-"
ooh, hell! We all know you well
enough, yea old fox, md we'll catch
you red-handed yet, and hang you.
But we're not hunting after your kind
today. Did you see anything of a fell
low In sarlet jacket along hero last
night, or this morning7n
failed to catch Farrell's answer,
but the voice Of the officer was suf.
flciently loud to reach me.
"A rebel spy; the sneaking rascal
must have swan the Delaware. Wen
look about your shop just the same
before we ride on. Mason, take half.
dozen men with you, and rake the
place over"
heard the sound Of their boots on
the floor, and burrowed lower in my
box. Two or three entered the old
shop, and began to probe about among
the debris. One kicked the box in
which l lay, and thrust q bayonet
down through the loose papers, barely
missing my shoulder With teeth
cllnched l remained breathless, but
the fellow seemed satisfied, and moved
on, after searching the dark corner
beyond. At last heard them all 20
out, mumbling to each other, and VEN
tured to sit up again, and draw fresh
breath. They had left the door ajar,
and had glimpse through the crack.
Farrell was leaning carelessly in the
outer doorway, smoking, his short legs
wide apart, his expression one OF total
Indifference. A big fellow stepped
past him, and saluted some one Just
out Of sight.
Nobody In there, SIR" he reported.
All right, Mason" and Grant came
INTO view on rangy sorrel Get
our men back into saddle; wen
move on"
Think he went this way2" asked
he blacksmith carelessly
How the hell do 1 knowIo savage.
~. HE must have started this way,
3ut likely he took the north road,
Wen set the chap before night, unless
he runs into Delavan's fellows out
'onder. See here, Farrell" holding in
lis horse, wen be back here about
lark, and will want something to eat I"
you will be welcome to all you
ind" ~
"You inpudent rebel, you see that
you are here when we come. / know
you, you night rider, and will bring
you to book,yet. Forward men-trot!
Close up the rank there, sergeant:
well take the road to the left"
l watched them go past, the dust
covered green uniforms slipping by
the crack Of the door, as the men
urged their horses faster. Farrell
never moved, the blue tobacco smoke
curling above his head, and / stole
icross the Uttered storeroom to a cob.
webbed window. from which | could
watch the little column OF riders 20
a0wn the hill. They finally disap-
peared in the edge Of a grove, and
turned around to find the blacksmith
leaning against his anvil waiting for
NE.
Genial young fellow, Grant" he
aid. always promising to hang me
but never quite ready to tackle the
Job. Afraid shall have to disappoini
him again tonight"
you will not wait for him?''
Hardly. You heard what he said
about Delavan? That was the very
news l wanted to learn. Now thinl
both those lads will meet me much
sooner than they expect"
He stepped forward into the oper
avn way anu bioN lultc bHIlll DldSN'
on silver whistle. The echo hat
scarcely died away, when, out from
a thick clump of trees perhaps half
milo distant. a horse shot forth, rGc
ing toward US. As the reckless ride
brew up suddenly, | saw him to be
5arefooted, freckle-faced boy of per
haps sixteen, his eyes bright with eS
element.
80 It's you on duty, Ben" said Far
rell quietly, glancing from the boy Il
his horse. well, you're In for ride
Have the men at Lone Tree by sun
down; all Of them. See Duval first
an tell him for me this is a big thing
Now off with you'll"
The boy, grlnning happily, swun
ais horse around, and, JRbbing his side
with bare heels, rode madly away d
reotly south across the vacant lane
Within five minutes he had vanlshe
|, down sharp incline. Farrell was gti
stnrinr after him when / naked.