The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-12-12
CHAPTER xvII.-continucd.


| stepped across the pile OF things
10 the window. glnncing out ut the
stlll smouldering rufus OF the stable
Whatever had occurred, neither the
lady nor Peter remained about the
house. or this ! was satisfied, yet
with the realization there came a sud
den comprehension Of my own help.
lcsBncss to be Of any aid.
From the window where stood not
II house was visible. Just beyond the
orchard the roads forked n welltrav.
elcd branch Circling TO the left, and
disappearing over the edge Of n hill
Az | traced 1t with my eyes con
siderable body Of mounted men sud
denly appeared on the summit. with
out fear that they could see me at that
distance | watched eagerly MS they
trotlcd down the long slope, They
were plninly n squadron Of British
Dragons. their arms and croas.bclts
shining in the sun. in spite Of the dust
kicked up by their horses hoofs
waited until convinced they were
coming to the house before drawing
back out Of sight II was difficult to
decide what was best for me to do
Should | wait, trusting TO my rough
clothing. and pass myself OF as a Coun-
tryman, or take advantage Of the brief
time left in which to escape? II !
pssayod the first choice could CN.
plain the situation. and start these
H.. Al, I..l.
fail TO understand and ride on thought.
iessly. What such body Of mounted
men were doing In the neighborhOod
! could merely guess at--eithef they
were riGing through to New York on
some matter of Importance, or else had
been sent out hurricdly to discover
what had become Of Delayan's fora
gers This suppositiOn was the more
likely, and they mad taken the wrong
road, thus missing Grant and his men
in the darkness,
The must have cut through the or.
chard. leaping the low fence, for !
heard the thud of hoofs even as ! !
drew back into the upper hall. Then |
voice gave a sharp command
Circle the men about the house, |
Simmons. There is something wrong |
here, and ! saw fellow at that upper |
window as We came down the hill !
Move quick. nowl"
| must face them. and went forward |
to the head OF the stairs. anticipating
an easy explanation Of my presence
within. Already quite squad was In.
eide the front door bending over the
bodies and staring about curiously
Pine Robbers, eh. colonel" said
one contemptuously. THAT fellow has |
cutthroat written all over him. Don't I
see any signs of our men here
Queen Ranger lying back OF the
stairs, cir" reported n soldier briefly:
"IrlBh lookin' muG"
The man addressed as colonel, a
Ranger himself from his green uni.
form, looked up quickly and saw me.
He called out an order. and three or
four men sprang up the stairs, grasp.
Ing and leading mo down. | made no
resistance, not realizing was In any
danger The colonel, tall man with
gray muatachc md goatee, and dark,
searching eyes. faced me eternly. #
What are you doing here, sir?
Come. speak up! What does all this
and he swept his hand about
In gesture.
II came along about thirty minutes
ago." | explained, beginning to appre-
ciate my situation. from the suspicious
glances cnst at me. and recalling how
nay appearance mist be-
y found things Just % they arc now.