The state herald., 1912-11-29

deceived me.
had almost forgotten where / was,
as well 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 It? The enemy?"
Rangers; fifty of them, Judge, an
they'll never pass here without rum
magng around. Quick now. uLder COW
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 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 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 | had any
thing TO hide. Captain Grant" was the
dignified response. This is 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 see anything OF a fel.
low In scarlet Jacket along here last
night. or this morning."
] failed to catch Farrells answer.
but the voice of the officer was suf-
lclently loud TO reach me.
"A rebel spy; the sneaking rascal
must have swan the Delaware. Wen
look about your shop Just the same
before we ride on. Mason. take half.
dozen men with you. aud rake the
place over"
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. Al last | 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 glimpse through the crack.
Farrell was leaning carelossly 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
out Of sight
Nobody In thvre. sir" he reported
IAN right, Mason" and Grant came
into view on rnngy sorrcl. "Ge,
your men back into saddle; wo'll
move on
Think he went this wayf" asked
the blacksmith carelossly.
"How the hell do ! mowl" savage
~. "llo must have started this way.
but likely he took the north road
Wen get the chap before night. unless
he runs into Drlayan'H fellows out
yonder See here, Farrell" holdlng In
his horse. "we1l be back here about
dark. and will want something 10 eat"
You viii be welcome to All you
and."
"You lmpudenl rebel. you see that
you are here when We come ! know
you, you nirht rider. and will bring
you to book yet Forward mcn-tfntl
Close up the rank thorc. sergeant.
wen take The road TO the left"
| watched them go past. the dust
covered green uniforms slipping By
the crack of the door. as Tho men
urged their horses 'aster Farrell
never moved. the blue tobacco smoke
curling above bls head, and stole
across the Uttered slornroom 10 cob
wehhed window. from which ! could
watch he little column NJ riders go
down the hill TheY nnally disnp
pnarrd In The edge ~ grove, Hnd
turned around to mud to blacksmith
leaning against bic anvil waiting fof
me
Genial young fellow, Grant he
49, -------- L-L.--- l. m