Mexico Missouri message., 1914-02-12

without an instant's hesitation, or
a thought OF the storm which was
about TO break. he set out after the
I fellow He neglected to observe even
| the ordinary precaution OF a glance
around II he had, the nights adven-
/ ture might have terminated differ.
I emily
/ He would have beheld. for one
thing. two other OF the motor.boat's
occupants. farther in the rear. walk
ing I'm the same direction-two ath-
letlc young men laden with bundles
Of various sizes and shapes. AS IL
was. they on their part instantly de-
! tected Toms interest In the first man,
and also the obvious fact that he had
started out TO follow him.
They at once ceased their low
voiced conversation, and devoted all
their attention to Tom Phinney.
Thus the little procession advanced
In silence, on through the town and
into the open country.
AS soon as the last OF the fringe
OF houses was passed, the twain in
the rear quickened their pace, NOV
| ing closer to Tom. The loose sand
underfoot, and the now almost con-
tinual crash and rumble OF thunder
overhead. effectively drowned out all
other sounds.
The sole warning Tom had that
matters were not progressing as sat
isfactorily as he had fancied. came
with the first gust of hot, dust[aden
wind. A sudden shout directly In his
rear startled him from his absorb
ton.
mfr. Callisl" exploded a voice.
Here! Quick!"
Just as he plvoted round, there
came a dazzling fash and deafen-
ing Grassland then the deluge. He
received an instantaneous picture OF
two stalwart figures tossing a burden
OF packages to the ground. and then
in the ensuing blindness he was
seized by violent hands.
Now Tom was himself a man OF
mighty sinew and well.versed not
only in the science OF defending him
self. but of pushing war into the en-
emy's camp. For a minute or two
he made brave fight; but what avail.
eth a mans stoutness OF heart and
limb when he is beset by three indi-
viduals nearly. If not quite. SO strong
as he?
The spirited struggle ended with
Tom lying fiat upon his back in the
middle of the road. his three antago
nists piled Unfortunately on top oil
him and painting for breath, while a
cataract of rain pounded upon the
| just and the unjust alike. The WIND
whistled and shrieked. the thunder
| doomed and crashed and split the
night, and the lightning illuminated
the whole scene with a CHASTITY sem
blance OF daylight.
At last the one called Callis-th,
sandy-complexioned man-moved sud
denly to his knees, but without re
leasing his grip upon the well-nigl
drowned captive-a posture decided!
uncomfortable for Tom, for the bon!
knees bored into him cruelty.
Hold this duffer," Calls shoute'
above the uproar, while / knot tc
gether a couple of handkerchiefs. |
he makes a move bat him over IN
head" Then came a lower-voiced aC
dendum which Tom alone caught:
don't know but what we ought to d
II anyhow"
The other two shifted their pos
lions 80 adroitly that Tom could nc
stir. Another binding flash. and a
exclamation from the man kneelin
upon his arms.
by crtpes. Mr. Calls! It's the fe
low we passed in the sailboat!"
The devil!" exclaimed Calls, VII
seemed to be the one in authorit,
THAT settles his hash. Well iu,
take him to the old man"
Then Tom was unceremoniousl
rolled over upon his face, his arm
ierked rudely back and held secured
while his wrists were tied tightly u
gether. Next he was lifted to h
feet, the powerful grasp on either arr
never relaxing In the slightest degre
and was so held while a third han,
kerchief was found over HIS eyes.
He did not submit tamely TO thes
indignities. but as his opposition wa
confined TO angry curses and threat
- it was worse than futile He sputtere
and fumed and swore until Calls 4
teTupted him.
rs IF you don't cut that out" he a
e. nounced with an air of fnallty, 81
3 gag you"
~ And Tom perforce fell sileu
ar though he continued to ssethe ar
N rage inwardly.
March. YOU" ordered Callls's Gu
y. voice. the command being emphasize
ne by a vigorous push that sent hi
g. stumbling helplessly forward. I'll
a firm hands held him. however, ara
ne moved through the tempest and q
night under their guiding impulse.
&C. To Tom the adventure was takir
IN ON the aspect OF nightmare. A
lis sense OF direction was lost: not a
IL other word was spoken by any Of 4