The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-10-31


deceived me.
/ had almost forgotten where I was
as well as the presence OF my com
paniOn. when he suddenly arose to hts
feet, and. pushing aside the wooden
window shutter, looked out A glance
Of his keen eyes was sufficient.
Get back into your box. Major" he
exclaimed quickly. Pull the papers
over you"
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, uLder GOV.
err"
but what about yourself?"
Don't worry about me; those fel.
lows haven't any evidence against me
yet. They're after you"
was through the intervening door
with bound and an instant later had
burrowed under the crumpled papers.
The shifting OF tho 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
his outer door. where he stood smok.
Ing, clad in leathern apron, awaiting
tho approaching horsemen. They
swept about the corner of the smithy
almost at the same moment, pulling
up their tired horses at sight OF him.
From amid the thud Of hoofs, and the
rattle OF aecoutrements. voice spoke
sharply:
so you're here. Farrell, you old
rebel hypocrlte. Well. what are you
hiding now"
IL was not aware that | had any.
thing to hide, Captain Grant" was the
dignifled response. This 10 my shop.
an where | should be-"
"Oh, hell! We all know you well
enough, you old fox, and wen catch
you red-handed yet, and hang you
But we're not hunting after your kind
today. Did you sec anything Of q fcl.
low In scarlet Jacket along here last
night. or this morning?"
! failed to catch Farrcll's answer.
but the voice OF the officer was SUI.
hcicntly loud to reach me.
"A rebel spy; the sneaklng rascal
must have swan the Delaware. Wen
look about your shop Just the same
before We ride on. Mason, take n half.
dozen men with you. and rake the
place over"
| heard the sound Of their boots on
the floor and burrowcd 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 | lay, and thrust bayonet
down through the loose papers. barely
missing my shoulder. with teeth
clinched remained breathless, but
the fellow seemed satisfied. and moved
on, after searching the dark corner
beyond At last heard them all 20
out mumbIng to each other. and ven.
tured to sit up again, and draw fresh
breath. They had left the door atar,
and had a 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
ont Of sight.
Nobody in there. sir" he reported
IAN right. Mason" and Grant came
into view on a rangy sorrcl. Get
your men back into saddle. well
move on"
Think he went this way?" asked
the blacksmith carelessly
How the hell do | know" savage
Iy. HE must have started this way,
but likely he took the north road. |
Wen get the chap before night, unless
he runs into Delavan's fellows out |
yonder. See here. Farrell" holding in |
his horse. well be back here about |
lark. and will want something to eat"
you Will be welcome to all you
ind"
you impudent rebel, you see that
you are here when we come. know
you. you night rider, and will bring
'ou to book yet Forward men-trot!
lose up the rank there, sergeant;
vel take the road to the left"
] watched them go past, the dust.
covered green uniforms slipping by
he crack of the door. as the men
rged their horses faster Farrell
ever moved, the blue tobacco smoke
urling above his head, and stole
cross the Uttered ptoreroom to a cob.
'ebbed window, from which | could
'atch The little column of riders 20
own the hill. They finally dlsap-
cared in the edge Of grove, and
irned around to find tic blacksmith
,aning against his anvil waiting for
10.
Genial young fellow. Grant" he
aid. ALWAYS promising to hang me. /