The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-12-11

a0Ntu. tnohknt you ndu bohe until
heard that sound
Il had 10 laugh when the truth
finally came 20 me; that Is Cane
Ridge"
Where where the Baptist church
is?"
Exactly. where Parson Nichols
points out TO his congregation the
straight and narrow way. There Is a
bride path yonder leading up from the
valley, which viii save us a flye-mlle
detour But Il means We are still In
Cowan's country. and to climb there
with horses will require the use OF
daylight"
You think Anse-"
rs probably back before this, and
doing his best TO trail us. Even IL
he does not discover the body OF old
Ned, he will naturally conclude we
will head east. My only hope Is that.
not having seen US last night he may
imagine we chose the southern route.
and ride there first But II he did.
doubtless he would send some one OF
his men scouting this way"
you have heard-seen nothing?"
"No. we are too far back; the noise
OF an army passing along the pike
would not reach here. IL we get TO
Cane Ridge church before dark. we
must trust to luck. and the night for
the next thirty miles"
You fear Cowan's gang more than
the troops? Surely they will pursueY"
mo doubt; Pickney will be raving.
and Raymond crazy TO get hand on
me. Ay! there will be some galloplng
OF troopers. I should have liked 90
see Foxs face when he heard the
news. BY heavens they are like
enough to charge him with conspiracy.
for he was officer OF the day. How
ever, do not greatly fear them they
will make noise enough 10 warn us.
and couldn't track a bear II is the
mountain men we must guard against;
they are wolves. You slept well?"
After the first half hour. am
rested. and strong. Shall we go now?"
when we have eaten. There may
be no other opportunity, and there Is
ample time"
We sat over the poor meal long
while. talking like old friends, laugh
ing over revived memories, almost for
getting that we were fugitives. our
very lives at stake. Twice we heard
guns. but the reports were but distant
echoes. sounding afar of TO the vest
ward. Yet these made me nervous TO
get away, and when a number sounded
together-almost a volley. distinctly
audible, fastened 10 pack what little
remained or food on our horses, and
led the way, fording the shallow
stream. and guiding my horse up the
opposite bank into the deep shadow or
the woods beyond The summit OF
the hill was open, except for con.
siderable grove to the rear OF the
church. That edifice appeared, as
remembered II, unchanged In any re.
spect-a fairly large building. con.
structed solidly OF logs. with square.
clapboarded tower in front, four win
dows on each side. containing small
panes OF glass. number OF them
broken. We were at the rear, which
showed a larger window, and v mar
row door at one corner. protected by
n porch, IL appeared desolate and
deserted. the loneliness accumulated
by the empty hltching racks on either
side.
We advanced side by side along
what was once a well-trodden path,
making no attempt at concealment
Indeed. any such effort would have
been useless, as the crest OF the ridge
lay open. and bare OF vegetation, but !
was so fully convinced we were pnob-
served that / took no precautionary
entire thought, indeed, centered upon
the girl at my side.
The heavy latch OF the front door
lifted easily 20 the pressure OF my
hand, and we stepped into narrow
vestibule. Noreen grasping my arm
nervously, as she faced the Swallowed
interior OF the deserted building. Some
instinct OF caution caused me 10 close
the door behind us. and then | drew
her forward. laughing at her fears.
until we obtained glimpse OF the larger
room, already becoming obscured by
the approaching night. II was a rather
shabby-looking place, not overly clean
even in that merciful dimness Rude
benches. without backs. stretched al
most from wall to wall, narrow aisle
leading 10 the pulpit set within an al
cove and scarcely dlscernible except
In barest outlines. ! recognized a big
Bible. lying open on the gaunt pulpit
stand A book OF some kind. dogs
cared and coyerless. lay on the floor
at my feet, and bent 20 pick II up
As | came upright again, a man
stepped from the shadow OF corner
and the steel barrel OF a revolver
flashed before my eyes felt Noreen
cringe against me. uttering a mufied
cry.
Stand as you are. Yank." said .
rather pleasant voice. Pardon me
lady"