River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-12-05
CHAPTER xxx.
1 Run Across Eric.

Run Across Eric.
| slept three hours, the dead sleep
of sheer exhaustion, but felt refreshed
and strong when roughly aroused. Be-
fore sunset | was across the river
where I found my little squad of dra-
.goons prepared for their nights ad
venture. Arnold had kept his word,
the fresh horses being fine animals,
Che ammunition in excess of our
needs. Conroy was enthusiastic, and
somewhat loQuacious, but / cut his
conversation off rather sharply, and
ordered the men into their saddles.
With brain clarified by sleep / real
lied the Importance of the work be-
fore us, and how imperfect my plans
were. l could merely ride forth to
Elmhurst, hoping to pick up some
clew to aid me. AS we rode rapidly
along the deserted road leading to
Farrells / reviewed over and over
again every remembered detail, only
to conclude that | must get hands on
Grant, and by threats, or any other
available means, compel him to con-
fess his part in the villainy. Dusk
settled about us, succeeded by night,
as we pressed steadily forward, the
men riding silently, the only sound
the thud of hoofs, and the slight jingle
of accOutrements. AS we passed the
black walls OF Farrel's shop, l re-
rcalled the papers found in Grants
lcoat and the reference in Fagin's note
Ito rendezvous at Lone Tree. Prob
ably that was the spot where the two
had been accustomed to meeting. If
true in the past, why not now as well?
Suddenly it occurred to me that it
was at place called Lone Tree that
the minute men had gathered for their
attack on Delavan's wagon train.
Could this, by any possibility, be the
same spot? | drew my horse back
beside ConrOy.
Ever heard of place called Lone
Tree?" I asked quietly.
He rubbed his head thoughtfully
Not just about here, sir. We
camped over east of there once, may
be year ago, down in a hollow where
there was one big tree standin' all
alone, kind of an odd-lookin' tree, sir,
and seems to me, the guide said the
place was called something like that.
Say, Tom," to the nearest dragon,
do you remember that Lone Tree
where we camped when we were out
hunting Tarleton?"
Sure; in east Medford. There was
a farmhouse across on the side OF a
hill. got some buttermilk there"
Wasn't that what the guide called
the place-Lone Tree?"
"Derned if l know, sergeant. Don't
recollect hearin' the guide say any
thin bout that, but the woman at the
house told me her place was called
Lone Tree cottage-so l reckon he
might"
This was chance worth, trying.
I'VE will take the first turn to the
left, and have look at the place. l
said "Conroy, you and Tom ride
ahead, and keep your eyes OPEN"
We reached the hollow where the
big tree stood, about midnight, but
found little reward. The house on
the hill had been burned to the
ground Near the tree. however, we
u1SCONSECu SNAuSACC VI 1SCSul camp
fires, one not yet cold, and apparently
there had been quite body of men
camped there lately. Conroy manu-
featured a torch, and secuted about,
finally reporting:
Il don't know how many were here.
T, altogether; but there was a lot o.
.orses picketed over near the creek.
reckon the last of them didn't leave
until dark tonight, an they rode north
toward the main road. There was
maybe a dozen IN that party"
We followed the general direction
the fellows seemed to have taken,
Conroy and on foot, scanning the
trail BIZ aid of a pine knot. The dust
.ay thick on the clay road through
the cut, where we had charged the
sovagers, and il was easy to see the
band had turned east. There was but
nre conclusion possible; if this was
"agin's gang OF cutthroats, as sus-
..>c:ed. shao they were either return
ing 10 tiesT saEd caves il Monmouth