Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-30

I<eAh L VA LAOAOs
"Yes-here, Fox; the fellow wants
to talk with you"
There was sound of movement
without, the murmur of a word or
two spoken in subdued tones; then
Fox's voice raised to carry through
the intervening wood.
Sorry this hapens to be my job,
Wyatt" he said. For Miss Har-
woods sake 1 hope you will not at
tempt to fight; we've got total force
SO l see," I answered coolly, Gin
Guiding Cowan and my old friend, the
lieutenant Quite a compliment to
send half regiment after one man. .
Our having such a force is largely
accident" he responded somewhat
stif1y. "But that is neither here nor
there; your escape is IMPOSSIBLE
81 am not considering escape" and
1 spoke loud enough to be heard clear
ly. "This is going to be a fight, Cap
tain Fox-a real fight"
"A fight! What, you alone?"
ooh, no; there are men enough in
this church to make it quite interest
ing. That is why warn you've are
soldiers, not murderers"
What, you think that bluff will
work?"
Captain Fox" broke in Harwood
bluntly, his voice nervously sharp, Il
command Troop G, Third Kentucky
cavalry This is no bluff, sir 1 give
you fifteen minutes to withdraw your
men; at the expiration of that time
we open fire."
The surprise, the shock of this unex-
pected development and threat was
plainly evident. 1 heard Fox step back
from the door and speak earnestly to
someone; Moran swore savagely
What force have you?" he roared
the insane question causing HARDWOOD
to laugh outright.
Come and find out" he answered
mockingly Better go back to the
other end now, sergeant" he added in
lower voice, and gripped my hand
AS UCt11 1S dUOut W OpCu. w AClS 1S
my lady cousin?"
Il put her on guard over the pris.
oner. She will be out of range there
and have something to do"
"And gives you another fighting
mail see. Queer duck, that preach
era bit Of knave, to my notion. and
one of the finest liars I have ever
heard: he'll bear watching. All! our
friend the major has come to his
senses-look yonder! They are NOV
ing back out Of range"
cay! and concentrating heavier
body Of men this way"
''Of course; the first assault will. be
from the front Tell Wharton to
spare me two Or three more men, and
send a couple from your end. They may
make a rush from all directions, but
the real fight will be here; they are
going to try us out, that is certain
l walked back to my station. The
line Of men threatening this end OF
the building had been drawn aside
out of direct rifle range, and seemed
to be grouped opposite each corner
and were SO closely punched together
as to make any estimate Of their mum
bers impossible. They were only
shapeless shadows, with moonlight
cleaning from their weapons, and an
occasional voice breaking the ominous
silence. There remained nothing to
do but await their action, ready fol
whatever might occur l passed along
the wall from man to man, assuring
myself each was at his station, with
loaded weapon, and well-filled car
fridge belt.
"The fight will begin in 'front.'"
whispered, unable to distinguish faces
"and no firing here until I give the
word
In the darker corner where the pris
oner sat motionless against the log
wall, my eyes could distinguish moth
ing.
"Noreen."
YES" and she stood up. couldn't
you see me-"
mot the faintest shadow II
wanted to thank you for the choice
you made"
'You mean my coming with you ?
You are glad l did,"
eyes, very glad" l said earnestly,
''for you are just as safe here, and
and l would rather have you near me.
This may prove a desperate struggle;
we are terribly outnumbered-and-
and we'll, you know, you-you trusted
yourself to me-you are under my pro
lection"
There was no answer; perhaps
had said too much. Suddenly volley
roared out, startling in the Stiffness
a shout of command-the sharp bark
of carbines-then a grim, threatening
yelp of voices. One leap brought me
to the window, with gun barrel thrust
forward across the sill. The two black
shadows were breaking up in headlong
rush toward the door at the south
corner l saw figures, not faces, a
cleaning of poised weapons, a huddle