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

the others who had gathered at this
war rendezvous. the majority dis.
mounted, holding their horses in readl.
ness for action. AS we rode in among
them neighbors clasped hands silent
ly, but the words exchanged we're few
Farrell forced his horse through the
press toward where tall figure sat
stlf' In the saddle. and my own horse
followed ungulded
"A goodly turnout, Duval," he com.
mented briefly What was the num-
Der before We Gamer"
"Forty-seyen Rifles" the Lieuten.
ants voice nasal, and high pitched.
THE men from Orchard and Spring.
dale are not in yet How many ar
rived with you"
Twenty; ample for our purpose.
even II the others fail lis. This IL
Major Lawrence of the Maryland
| Line"
shook HIS long, thin hand, marking
the iron grip of the fingers.
Well introduce you to some typical
Jersey fighting tonight, Major" he
| said genlally. I'VE have style all
our own"
81 had supposed had witnessed all
styles"
Well see; the difference Ia that
every man among us has some outrage
TO revenge Our quarrel Is n personal
one against thieves and murderers.
What Is the program. Farrell"
ITO Intercept Delavan's raiders
They will be along the main road
within the hour from all reports He
has wagon train loaded with stun
gathered up between Medford an
Mount Holly, together with a consld.
cradle drove OF cattle and some
horses"
And what force?"
About fifty men originally, but re-
inforced this afternoon with ms mahy
more to help guard the train into
Philadelphia"
"Mounted?"
THE reinforcements We're but the
original foragers were afoot; they
were Hessians: the others Grants
company OF Queens Rangers"
GLORY be to Cod" exclaimed
voice near at hand. Did ye hear that,
lads? It's Dutchmen and Tories we're
against tonight. BE CORY! I wouldn't
have missed the chance OF this shlndy
fer the best farm in Camden"
There was a low growl from the
pl, ut 81
ment OF bodies pressing closer. Duval
laughed nlirthlessly.
THE bloodhound takes the SCENT
he said grimly. God help those poor
devils when we cut the leash, Far
rell. Where do you propose meeting
them"
Across there in tho bluffs" point
ing, where the road turns in between
tho high clay banks. Wen leave our
horses here. an cross on foot. Is that
the right plan. boys?"
There was murmur OF acquies
cence, a few questions, and then the
silence OF approval. II was evident
these minute men were under small
discipline, and their officers led only
by force OF character without orders
the horses were led away. tied Sc
curely in the black depths OF the
woods, and the men came struggling
back, rifles In hand, grouping them.
selves along the edge Of the stream.
There was no attempt at military
formation, but Duval Strengthened
them out so as to count the number
present
"SiXty.nine, all told" he announced
briefly "All right boys, come on, and
keep your powder out of the water"
1t was firm bottom, but the water
rose above the waist, with sufficient
current so we had to brace against It
In md.stream. We traled dropping
up the eastern bank, coming out upon
a welltraveled road. A hundred feet
beyond was the cleft through the clay,
and there Farrell halted us, dividing
the men into two parties. Under his |
orders they disappeared like magic, |.
the silent night engulfng them com
plctely. The three OF us. Duval, Far. !
rell, and myself. alone remained In .
the deserted road
"Duval," said the blacksmith quiet. |
ly, you an the Major feel your way
along TO the top, an discover what Is
happening. I'll stay here. an take
care Of the boys"
The road was gradual rise. the |
clay packed hard under foot, but from
the summit we could lock away for
some distance over n level country,
dimly revealed under the new moon. |
There was nothing in sight, and no
sound disturbed the solitude We sat
down on a bunch of turf. rifles in
hand, TO wait patiently. our eyes scan.
ming the distance. Z
(TO RE CONrINIrED,