The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-08-31

deceived me.
had almost forgotten where l was,
as we'll as the presence Of my com
panion. when he suddenly arose to his
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 1t? The enemy?"
Rangers; fifty Of them. Judge. an
they'll never pass here without rum
maging around. Quick now, uLder COW
err"
But what about yourself?"
Don. worry about me: those fel-
lows haven't any evidence against me
yet. They're after you
l was through the intervening door
with 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 l 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 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 accoutrements. a voice spoke
sharply:
so you're here. Farrell, you old
rebel hypocrite. Well, what are you
hiding now"
Il was not aware that l had any
thing to hide, Captain Grant" was the
dignif1ed response. This is my shop,
an where l 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 see anything OF a fel
low in scarlet jacket along here last
night, or this morning."
l failed to catch Farrell's answer,
but the voice of the officer was suf-
ficiently loud to reach me.
"A rebel spy; the sneaking rascal
must have swan the Delaware Well
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 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 l heard them all go
out. mumbling to each other. and ven
tured to sit up again, and draw a fresh
breath. They had left the door ajar,
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 lust
out of sight.
Nobody in there, SIR" he reported
"All right, Mason" and Grant came
into view on rangy sorrel. Get
your men back into saddle; we'll
move on"
Think he went this way?" asked
the blacksmith carelessly
How the hell do l know!" savage.
ly. "He must have started this way.
but likely he took the north road
yar1 ha oh TIL
he runs into Delavan's fellows out
yonder. See here Farrell" holding in
his horse. we'll 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. l know
you, you night rider, and will bring
you to book yet. Forward men-trot!
Close up the rank there, sergeant;
we'll take the road to the left
l watched them go past, the dust
covered green uniforms slipping by
the crack of the door. as the men
urged their horses faster. Farrell !
never moved. the blue tobacco smoke |
curling above his head. and stole
across the Uttered storeroom to a cob |
webbed window. from which could |
watch the little column Of riders 90 |
down the hill. They finally disap-
peared in the edge Of . grove. and |
turned around to find tie blacksmith |
against his anvil waiting for |
me.
Genial young fellow, Grant," he
said. Always PROMISING to hang me.