The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-05-07

doubtless, was still racking his
brains and sitting in town.
Without an instant's hesitation, or
a thought of the storm which was
! about to break, he set out after the
fellow. He neglected to observe even
the ordinary precaution of a glance
around. II he had, the nights adven-
ture might have terminated differ
emily.
He would have beheld, for one
thing, two other of the motor-boat's
occupants, farther In the rear, walk.
ing In the same d~irection-two ath-
letic young men laden with bundles
Of various sizes and shapes. AS IT
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 500 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 on
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, d%ust-laden
wind. A sudden shout directly in his
rear startled him from his absorb
ton.
"Mr. CaIlis!" exploded a voice.
Here! Quick!"
Just as he pivoted round, there
came a dazzling fash and a 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 w~ell-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 a brave fight; but what avail
eth a mans stoutness of heart and
limb when he Is beset by three indi
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 OF
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-tht
sandy-complexioned man-moved sud
denly TO his knees, but without re
leasing his grip upon the wellnigf
drowned captive posture decidedly
uncomfortable for Tom, for the bopy
knees bored into him cruelty.
Hold this duffer," Calls shoutet
above the uproar, while | knot to
gether a couple OF handkerchiefs. 1
he makes a move bat him over thu
head" Then came a lower-voiced ad
dendum which Tom alone caught: I"
don't know but what we ought to d.
II anyhow"
The other two shifted their posi-
tons so adroitly that Tom could no
stir. Another binding flash, and al
exclamation from the man kneelini
upon his arms.
"By cripes, Mr.. Calls! It's the fel
low we passed in the sailboat!"
1.-The devil!" exclaimed Calls, VIII,
seemed to be the one In authority
THAT settles his hash. Well jus
take him to- the old man"
Then Tom was unceremoniousl
rolled over upon his face. his arm
jerked rudely back and held securely
while his wrists were tied tightly &c
gether. Next he was lifted to hi
feet. the powerful grasp on either arr
never relaxing in the slightest degree
and was so held while a third hanc
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:
II was worse han futile. He sputtere
and fumed and swore until Calls IL
terrupted him.
! IF you don't cut that cut" he ar
; nounced with an air of finality. ~
> gag YOU"
: And Tom perforce fell sileni
r though he continued to seethe an
, rage inwardly.
March, YOU" ordered Callis's cur
voice, the command being emphasize
> by a vigorous push that sent hir
: stumbling helplessly forward. TIL
4 firm hands held him. however. and h
> moved through the tempest and III
night under their guiding impulse.
; To Tom the adventure was takin
. on the aspect Of q nightmare. A
sense Of direction was lost: not al