The Cairo bulletin., 1912-06-06

they'll never pass here without rum
maging around. Quick now, uEder COW
err
"But what about YOURSELF"
Don't worry about me; those fell
lows haven't any evidence against me
yet. They're after you"
| was through the intervening door
with a bound and an instant later had
burrowed under the crumpled papers.
The shifting Of the 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
the approaching borsemen. 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 accoutrements, voice spoke
sharply:
$50 you're here, Farrell, you old
rebel hypocrite. Well, what are you
hiding now?'
II was not aware that I had any
thing to hide, Captain Grant," was the
digni1ed response This 10 my shop,
an where | should be-"
ooh. 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 see anything of fell
low in sarlet Jacket along here last
night, or this morning?"
failed to catch Farrell's answer,
but the voice of the officer was SUI.
ficiently loud to reach me.
"a rebel spy; the sneaking rascal
must have swan the Delaware. We1l
look about your shop just the same
before we ride on. Mason, take half.
dozen men with you, and rake the
| place over"
| l heard the sound of their boots on
| the floor, and burrowed lower In my
box. Two or three entered the ole
shop, and began to probe about among
the debris, One kicked the box In
which I lay, and thrust a 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 go
out, mumbling to each other, and ven
| tured to sit UP again, and draw fresh
breath, They had left the door ajar.
and I had q glimpse through the crack.
Farrell was leaning carelessly In the
puter doorway, smoking. his short legs
wide apart, his expression one Of total
indifference. A big fellow stepped
past him, and saiuted some ons Just
out Of sight
Nobody In there. STR" he reported,
"All right, Mason" and Grant came
into view on a rangy sorrel. Get
your men back into saddle; wen
move on"
Think he went this way?" asked
the blacksmith carelessly.
How the hell do know!" savage
ly. "He must have started this way.
but likely he took the north road.
Wen get the chap before night, unless
he runs into Delavans fellows out
yonder. See here. Farrell" holding In
his horse, well be back here about
dark, and will want something to eat"
You will be welcome to all you
find"
You impudent rebel, you see that
! you are here when we come. / know
you, you night rider, and will bring
you to book yet. Forward men--trot!
Close up the rank there. sergeant:
wen take the road to the left"
watched them go past, the dust
covered green uniforms slipping by
tho crack OF the door, as the men
i, urged their horses faster Farrell
never moved, the blue tobacco smoke
curling above his head, and I stole
across the Uttered storeroom to cob
webbed window, from which ! could
watch the little column OF riders go
down the hin. They finally disap-
/ peared In the edge Of grove, and
turned around to find the blacksmith
leaning against his anvil waiting for
! me.
Genial young fellow. Grant" he
said. always promising to hang me,
but never quite ready TO tackle the
Job. Afraid shall have to disappoint
! him again tonight" .sta
you win not wait for him7' r..4
| Hardly. You heard what he said
about Delavan? That was the very
news wanted to learn. Now think
both those lads will meet me much
sooner than they expect"
He stepped forward into the open
doorway, and blew three shrill blasts
on a silver whistle. The echo had
scarcely died away, when, out from
a thick clump Of trees perhaps half
mile distant a horse shot forth, rae
ing toward us. As the reckless rider
drew up suddenly, saw him to be a
barefooted, freckle-faced boy of per-
/ haps sixteen, his eyes bright with ex-
element.
so It's you on duty, Ben" said Far
rell quietly, glaneing from the boy to
his horse. well, you're In for a ride,
A - hxx