The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-08-03

tnere was u single sharp cry --sfartled,
agonized-a moan. and the heavy fall
OF body Withour a thought
leaped through the hole down into the
darkness. | struck against a PROSTATE
figure. stumbled slightly. rafting the
lantern with INV foot: my extended
hand rripped at something. which
gave way. and stoodsgroning bIindly
about without n sound 10 guide me
knew what had happened. and now.
the first mad rush over. my heart was
In my throat felt for the lantern
with my foot. found it At last. and
managed 10 apply a match ito the
wick Al the foot Of the ladder lay
the soldier. n knife thrust In his
throat. his head bent back. his dead
eyes staring mp at me. In the grip OF
my fingers was n rag, strip Of red
calico. evidently ripped from a dress
That swnsball
With heart beating rapidly re-
traced my steps moving backward.
the lantern held before me, Corporal
Masterson, with two troopers. was at
the foot Of the ladder bending over
the motioness form. The corporal
straightened up. bis face white.
''Somers Is dead. SIR" he said. his
voice full Of DEMONSTRATED in the
throat" .a
Yes. corporal. 1t is part of the
mystery of this house,"
Take the body up the ladder"
commanded.
luctantly. yet evidently glad enough TO
gel out Of the hole. two of them lift.
ing from above. with Masterson help.
ing below. As the corporal's legs dis
appeared mounted close behind.
holding the lantern beneath and lay.
ing hold OF the trap before | extin.
guished the hight. II was with a dis
tinct feeling of relief that closed the
heavy door and stood upon It.
"o'Brienr'
"Yis. sor"
Everything right here:"
"Jist about as We left 1t. sor. only
the colonel seems 10 have got part Of
his senses back. an the other fellow
swore so loud bucked him with a
bit O. rag. Av yen keep still. sor.
think yell hear some noise jist back
of the cabin"
We were instantly quiet. the men
holding their breath to listen. could
distinguish sound us though of NOV.
ing bodies. but was unable to guess
at the cause.
What Is it,
Horses. sor. They've got them
picketed out there-some reb an
some Yankee. no doubt"
"Masterson. leave two men here to
guard that trap and the prisoners.
They will remain until they hear the
sound OF firing in front of the house
and then mount and join us. Well
leave horses for them. You take half
our force and clear out the guard on
the kitchen porch-there are six men
there Make it quick action. and rs
soon as the job Is accomplished fall
back here behind the cabin. O'Brieu.
with two OF the troopers. attend to
any scattered rebs you lind along the
north side. The rest of us will see
to the horse herd. and Inside of ten
minutes we ought TO be in saddle
Don't fire n single shot more than Is
necessary"
They filed past me one by one.
crouchlng down in the shadows just
outside the door.
Nov. O'Brien. select the next three
and steal around the other side of
that negro cabin. As soon as Master.
son goes forward make run for
those bushes along the carriage drive.
The rest Of you fellows come with
me-"
Out Of sight. yet not far away.
horses were champing ut their bits
Some one on the kitchen porch
laughed. and man walked 10 the
well. | turned tback until saw the
crouching figures OF the corporars
squad
"All right, Masterson.'' said, Ego
in"
and slip noiSelessly along the protect
ing side Of the cabin. the dull gray Of
the castcrn sky already rendering things
slightly visible. but ! waited for moth
ing more. We likewise had our work
to accomplish. A dozen swift steps
brought us To the horse herd, nor did
we fire shot. the single guard being
50 surprised ut our unexpected appear
ance as to fail even in speech.
The horses were tied along a rail
fence. completely equipped. exactly as
they were captured at the time of first
attack. and my little party swung
hastily into saddle. gathering up the
bride reins Of as many other horses
as we could safely lead AS held
my own bunch back a moment. so as
TO give all the men time to gather
more closely In. three shots-two the
sharp reports of carbines. the third
the gruffer note of musket-sounded
beyond the negro cabins. while In the
dim light OF the dawn caught
glimpses Of men gathering around the
corner of the house. Then more shots
began to sputter along the north side.
two Of the swiftly running figures
dropping In their tracks. with splits of
A - a.