The state herald., 1914-12-04
CHAPTER XIV.
| Meet My pouble.

Meet My Double.
The probability that the man was .
British officer. whose life depended on
my exertions. nerved me anew. No
matter who he might prove to be.
whether friend or foe, he was of my
race and blood, and evidently the vic
tim or treacherous attack. First OF all
! must get him out of that sitting hole
into pure air. and discover the nature
OF his injuries. 1t was no easy task
dragging the heavy body through the
narrow entrance. and across the dis
logged door. 1t had to be accomplished
py sheer strength Of arm. for worked
on my knees, choked by the foul at
mosphere. almost blinded by the
smoke. and unable to find purchase.
Yet foot by foot won. until. exhaust
ed by the effort. hauled the limp form
free of the barrier. and against the
side wall of the cellar.
leaned against the wall as the
waves OF smoke thinned. and drifted
out through the open door. At last
there was but thin vapor showing
against the blue expanse OF sky. 1t
occurred to me the blue was shading
INTO gray. as II approaching twilight.
l retained no sense of time; SO much
hsd occurred felt had been confined
for hours in that tunnel; when first
emerged and perceived light could
scarcely realize that It was yet day;
tnat all had occurred-the fight In the
cabin. my rescue. the horrors of the
tunnel-within so short a space There
suddenly swept over me the fresh
memory Of It all; / saw the faces,
neard the voices. And they were dead.
those men had companioned with;
tney had gone the long journey. some
quickly, mercifully. and Brady In the
agony OF torture. How It nauseated
me! The swift reaction leaving me
sobbing like child. my hands pressed
over my eyes. All at once l expert
enced the full horror, and broke down
as weak as babe. l remember now
how my knees shook. so that sank
down to the earth floor: ay! and how
l prayed. my voice a mere senseless
murmur. yet. no doubt. clear enough
to Gods ears.
l felt tempted to get outside, and
discover where the raiders had gone;
their trail might reveal much, II It
could only be found before night came.
l had Strengthened up. determined to
try the venture when a movement be-
low. and the mufled sound OF voice
speaking English. reminded me OF the
soldier. Descending from out the sun
light could perceive little in the dark.
er cave-cellar. The red jacket was,
however. sufficiently conspicuous to
convince me that the man was sitting
up. his back against the wall.
Il don't know who you are, friend"
he called out heartily. only you look
to be white. BY any luck do you
speak Enslisht'
Not much of anything else" l an.
s~ered. endcavoring to discover bis
features. I'm Of the blood"
"Ay! With 4 colonial twang to It.
unless my ears lie. Ia that the story'
So! Then what in Gods name are you
doing here!"
could not take the measure OF the
fellow. his face remaining indistinct In
the shadow~. but there was n reckless
ring Of sood-fellowship in his voice
which inspired me to frxnknsss.
y came this way with n message for
the wyando,s. belong to the gar.
rison OF Fort Harmsr"
An oficer!"
Yes"
Holy smoke. man. but you certainly
stumbled into a hornets nest. Didn't
you know all the northwest tribes
have declared war; That II has actual
ly begun7"
No: II WAS In the hope OF prevent
Ing such catastrophe that I was sent
Word was brought US that the wynn.
dots would not Join tho confederation.
Who brought such wordi"
Simon dirty. lie bore letter from
Hamilton. and sought information 70
xarding tho ds.appoaranee Of wyan.
dot chief"
''wa.pa.tec tahi"
That was tho name"
The man laughed. but the sound was
not altogether pleasant.
There Ia a touch OF humor TO your
tale. my friend" he said slowly. al.
though | doubt n you will be able 10
perceive II. Girty and Hamilton may
have had reasons OF their own for bi,
of byplay: ogad' They failed TO con.
suit me. Hut an for this Wa. pa ,ee.tah.
that chanoad TO be my business, nj.
though Just now. and In tho presence
OF the enemy. we will lot tho discus.
sion go. Diplomacy noysr reveals its
cards. and have become mora diplo
mat than soldier. What am them
prisoner"