Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-05-10

pistol barrel. Damn you, but l be-
lieve you are all a pack Of lying
thieves!"
Caton's face burned. He took one
step toward him, his hands clinched,
and when he spoke his clear voice
shook with intense indignation.
Major Brennan" he said coldly de-
liberate. you are my superior officer,
but you go beyond all privileges OF
rank in those words. I say these men
are friends; they have sunk the issues
OF war In order that they may answer
the call OF humanity. II you dare i'm
peach my motives any further, l shall
hurl back the cowardly insult In your
face. l will take no such words, SIR,
from any living man."
Brennan looked at him, his lips
struggling with The utterance that
would not come. Knowing well the
danger of such delay, l hastily pushed
aside the ring Of men, and fronted
him, determined to end this foolish
ness then and there.
Major Brennan" I said firmly, ig-
noring his efforts to silence me, you
must listen to reason whether you
wish to do SO or not. Ny troopers
are all around you; I have two men to
| your one in this house, and en-
force my will II necessary. Now mark
| what I 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 rufians without
You can use US or not, just as you
-Sease; 1t rests with you to say wheth-
er we shall be comrades in arms on
this occasion. or whether l shall as
sumo command by the power OF force
which I chance to control"
He seemed utterly unable to grasp
my full meaning. to comprehend the
situation.
You mean, you would fight with
us? under my command? 2" he asked In
credulously.
II offer my services under YOU or
ders," I replied clearly. and these
men in gray will obey mine"
1 actually thought he would extend
| his hand, but some remembrance sud
denly restrained him.
"I-of course, Captain Wayne" he
stammered. at length. Il must &C
cept your offer. IL am grateful for
it. but / shall insist upon one thing;
personal matter existing between us.
I am not willing to waive my rights
in this"
There is no occasion for u doing
so, sir" l answer ID coldly, for I con-
sidered the reference at that moment
in extremely Ill taste. When our
work here has been accomplished, you
will find me very much at you serv-
ice"
He bowed gravely. /,
II am exceedingly glad we under
stand each other" he said. May !
ask the size of your commando"
Sergeant" l questioned, whom
have we lost?"
Nelson vos kilt, I drinks; der Kid
is not here yet, sund Sands vos wound
ed bad"
Very well; then, Major Brennan, l
tender you sixteen men At for duty.
besides myself. You r doubtless
acquainted with the house. and can
assign us to positions where our serv-
Ices will prove of greatest value"
He had completely recovered his
self-oontrol by this time. and spoke
now with the terse 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 is your sergeant's name?"
"Ebers, an experienced German sol
der"
II should have suspected his ma
tionality. Let him have command of
-four more, and cover the west win
dows. I shall defend the from myself.
as l have been doing"
very WELL" I answered shortly, for
his eyes had remained fixed upon me
all the time he was talking. Take
the positions assigned you, lads. and
do not permit q man from without to
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 door. The outside blinds had
been closed. but the glass IN the panes
was mostly broken. and there were
other evidences that the firing had
been both heavy and continuous.
found two soldiers Of Brennan's varty
within. both lying upon the door. and
psering cautiously through the aper-
lures OF the blinds. They glanced up
at ID with undissuised amusement
Its Ill right, lads" / said heartily.
"Never mind Dur colors tonight: We
are ali dGhting the same way"
/ had taken with me Bungay. to-
gether with three Of my troopers. and
after placing them ~ advAntageously
- possible, !. stretched myself out on
the door. and applying al eye to a
convenient opening took careful sur
~ Of the situation without This
prssent cessation Of activity was, l
felt convinced. only temporary. I did
- AI|