Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-01-19

grim play with Fate. where the stakes
we're life and death. felt my pulses
throb as l rode steadily forward. fair
ly thrusting the darkness aside, my
teeth hard set. my left hand heavily
on q revolver butt
How. in such q situation. the nerves
tingle and the heart bound to sscn
strange sight and soundl Haiti
what wal that? Pooh! no more than
the deeper shadow Of . sharply pro-
jecting rock. around which We pick
careful way. our horses erowdinS
against bach other in the narrow
space. And that7 Nothing but the
faint moan Of the night wind amid
tho dead limbs Of a tree. All!
that sudden flash OF light! The hand
that closes iron-liks upon the loosened
rein opens again. for 1t was merely q
star silently falling from out tho
black depths Of the sky. Then ooth
of us halt at once, and peer an1iously
forward. The figure standing direct
ly in tho center OF our path. can 1t b
a sentry 6. last? A cautious step Tor
ward, a low laugh from the sergeant,
and We circle tho gaunt. ~blackened
stump, as silent ourselves AZ the
night about us. but with hercely boat
ing. %e1pectant hearts.
But bark! Surely that was no COM
mon sound. born Of that drear loneli-
ness! No osvairyman can mistake the
jingle Of accoutrements or the u
thud OF horsss's hoofA- The road here
must have curved sharply. for they
were already so close upon US that,
almost simultaneously with the sound.
we could distinguish the deeper
shadow Of = small compact body OF
horssmsn directly tn u front To
left OF US there rose. sheer and black
the prscipitous rock; to right We might
not even guess what yawning void.
It was either wit Of sword play now.
know not how It may be with others
in such emergencies. but with me 1t
always happens that the n OF lear
departs with the presence OF actual
danger. Before the grewsoms fancies
OF imagination l may quake and burn
like any maiden alone upon a city
street at night. until each separate
nerve becomes = very demon OF men
tai agony: but when the real and
known once fairly confronts me. and
there II work to do. ! grow instantly
cool to think, ~resolute to act. and ind
a rare Joy in It. It was so now. and.
revolver In hand but hidden beneath
holster flap. l leaned over and
touched Craig's arm.
Keep quiet" l whispered sternly.
Let them challenge nrst. and no
firing except on my order"
Almost with the words there came
the sharp hail:
Halt! Who comes there?"
l drew the cape Of my riding jacket
closer, so ~ better to mufns the
sound OF my voice.
Friends. Of course: who would you
expect to meet on this road7'
Fortune seemed with me In the
chance answer for he who had hailed
exclaimed:
"Oh! il that you. Brsnnan!"
There was no time nov for hest-
fancy; hers was my cue, and must
plunge ahead. accepting the chances.
l ventured 1t.
NO; Brennan couldn't come. am
hero in his place"
Indeed! Who are you7"
Major Wilke-"
There was a moments painful
pause. In which I could hear my
heart throb.
"wilkie." repeated the voice. doubt
fully. There 10 no omcer Of that
name in the Forty-third."
well there chances to be such N
onicer on the star" | retorted. permit
ting 4 trace Of anger to appear in my
tone, and l I'm the nan"
What the devil IL the difference,
Hale. Just what his name Isl" doomed
q deeper voice back in the group. I'VE
are not getting up directory Of the
sixth corps. OF course he's the man
Brennan sent, and that u all we've
got to look after"
"Oh, all right, certainly, major" ~
turned the hrst speaker. hastily. but
the night II 80 cussed black | sup
posed We must be al least . mile thia
side of where We were to meet. How
ever, We have the lady hero for you
all right, and she Is anxious enough te
get on"