The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-03-06

l Strengthened up bareheaded, the
faint star-gleam on my face. The lieu
tenant remained quiet, but Peter broke
his sphinx-like silence.
"T amt him, Ia it,"
"No; he must have taken the other
road after ALL" with a slight laugh.
We've been on a wild-goose chase.
However, it's too late now to catch
the fellow on this trip"
Peter rubbed his bald pate, his eyes
on me.
An what1l we do with this ladf"
he answered drawlingly. Turn hirn
loose?"
Bring him along. Well find out to-
morrow who he is, and what his bust
ness may be. Men are not riding these
roads at midnight without some pur-
pose"
He wheeled his horse, and, with a
touch Of the spur, disappeared in the
darkness ahead. Peter clambered back
into the saddle, and gripped my rein.
Come on" he said disgustedly, kick
ing the black in the side. Its a ways
yet afore yer lie down"
We rode steadily, and at a good
pace. Occasionally the older man
swore solemnly, but Peter never ut
tered a sound. not even turning his
head at my attempts to draw him into
conversation. The situation mystifed
me, but it became more and more evil
dent that should have to wait until
morning before learning the truth.
Neither Peter nor the Indian seemed
TO belong to the class with which the
army was recruited. Peter appeared
more like a well-trained servant, and
his riding was atrocious. And the lieu
tenant! There came back to me the
haunting memory that he had joined
Delavdn as a volunteer-the Dragon
uniform sufficient proof that he was
neither of the original ~foraging party
OF Hessians, nor OF Grants detach-
ment of Rangers. Yet these others
wore green and white, and must, there
fore, have been in Grants command.
How did the four manage to escape
from our attack, evidently animated
by one purpose? Why was Grant so
anxious to learn IL l had seen the lieu
tenant, and whether we had a party
out seeking him? Not one of these
questions could I answer; not one
could even guess at with any degree
OF satisfaction.
We were coming out Of the low,
swamp lands into a more thickly set
tied, and cultivated region. Rail and
stone fences could be seen on either
side the road, and we passed swiftly
by a number OF farmhouses, some sim
pie log structures, although one or two
were more pretentious.
1t may have been two miles further
along, when the lieutenant, and his In
dian companion, wheeled suddenly to
the right, and, without slackening
speed, rode through an open gate, and
up a graveled roadway, circling
/ through grove OF trees TO the front
door OF a great square mansion. 1t
was dark and silent, a wide porch In
front supported by huge pillars, a
broad fight of steps leading from the
driveway. The Indian ran UP these,
leaving the lieutenant holding his
horse. while we drew up some yards to
the rear. ! heard the boom OF the
iron knocker. followed by a CLEAN OF
light through a lower window. Then
a negro's voice spoke, and the front
door opened, disclosing two figures,
one with suffering candle in hand
The two exchanged a dozen words be-
fore the lieutenant asked impatiently:
rs It all right Tonepah?"
The taciturn Indian made no at
tempt at speech, but gave an express
sive gesture, and the young officer
turned in his saddle.
Take the prisoner to the lower
room, Peter" he ordered curly. eIll
decide tomorrow IL he can be of any
use to u.s."
The two fellows loosened the rome
about my ankles. and Peter waddling
ahead, the graybeard gripping my
arm, we climbed the steps, and en-
tered the hall. A tall, slim negro. EVIL
IDENTIFY a house-servant from his sleek
appearance. cycling me ~curiously.
handed the little fellow a second light.
ed candle. and the three of us went
tramping along the wide hall, past the
circling stairs. until we came to a
door at the rear. This the black flung
open. without a word. and I was led
down into the basement. The flicker
ing candle yielded but glimpses Of
great rooms. beautifully decorated.
and. almost before l realized what was
occurring. ! had been thrust into q
square apartment. the door behind NE
closed and Hooked. The two guards
left the sputtering candle. perhaps q
third burned. behind. and l heard them
stumbling back through the darkness
e the foot Of the stairs. glanced
! about ~curfouslys sAsking the -looeons6