The Huttig news., 1915-12-11

reckon-an ol' hog trail thet leads down ter the crick. Thar couldn't nobody cum up il without yer seefn em from here"
 And so you think they're down there yet?"
 Sure; less they got wings they couldn't come up no other way"
 The lieutenant strode forward. and grasped the rein of the horse. could see him clearly now. the moonlight on his upturned face.
 Then we've got them, all right" he asserted, new confidence in his voice You know the way down, don't you Kelly?"
 Hell, yes; hid out thar fer six weeks onct. They call II the Devils glen, an reckon tafnt a bad name neither
 All right then; I've got three men here who'll go with you That will ] be enough. I'll stay up here, 50 if the fellow slips by I'll nab him. Jones' l all of you come here Come, Kelly there's hundred dollars in this for you.''
 By God! It's worth it, fer some i body's liable ter get shot" He rolled out Of the saddle, but with evident re- luctance. T reckon I'll let one O them sojers go ahead. Yer must want thet Reb powerful bad, leftenant?"
 l dc" grimly, dead or alive"
 Three other figures joined them; they were on foot, but l could see the guns in their hands, and the gleam of buttons i'll the moonlight Raymond spoke swiftly pointing with one hand, but his voice was lowered so the words did not reach me. No doubt he was briefly explaining the plan, and giving orders. Kelly added gruff sentence, and then the whole five tramped past me, the lieutenant leading the horse, and Kelly coming so close to where 1 lay l could have touched him with an extended hand. Scarcely venturing to breathe l watched their passage along the edge of the bluff, until they halted at the point where l had come up the
 
 for moment, talking earnestly; then the shadow formed distintegrated, and RaWmond and the horse alone re- mained distinguishable. l knew the others had disappeared in the black ness of the rayine, and that they were destined to search it's depths in vain, for what little trail | might have left in my crawl upward could never be deciphered in that darkness. Naited motlonIess for what 1 believed to be ten minutes, anxious that the fellows get far enough down to be safely be- yond earshot. At first 1 could hear them slipping and stumbling along the steep, stony path, bIt these sounds grew fainter and finally ceased. The i lieutenant led the horse back a few yards, and fastened his rein securely to the limb of tree, then took his own position within the brush shadow where he could watch the head of the trail. From where I crouched I could no longer see the fellow.
 had no thought of going on and leaving him there on guard. Not only did I feel an overwhelming desire tc punish the man for his treachery and insolence but l wished to gain posses sion of the horse. Such an opportunity as this was the gift of God, and l was only too eager to accept it. The wide plain in front of us was deserted, the cavalry troop having disappeared The glare of torches had disappeared from within the church, which was now a mere shapeless shadow in the moon light My vision did not extend to the road in front, but there were sounds indicating that the Federal forces were either going into camp, or pre- pairing to resume their march. Satis- fled that my own way was clear, crawled out to the edge of the line of brush, and arose silently to my feet To reach Raymond 1 would have to pass where the horse was tied, and to approach on hands and knees would be liable to frighten the animal. Trust ing that the lieutenant's whole atten tion would be devoted to the trail, and that he would anticipate no approach from behind walked straight forward and laid hand on the horse's head. He smelt of me curiously, but made no noise, and, looking across his back, could dimly perceive the man a few paces beyond. He stood erect, his back towards me, perfectly motionless, his entire consciousness concentrated on his guard. 1 stole forward step by step, noiselessly. 1 was actually with in reach of him before some sense told him of my near presence. and he wheeled about only to find leveled revolver staring him in the eyes.
 We meet again." said coldly. "and it seems to be my luck to hold the cards
 You! Good God! I thought"
 'T know what you thought, for I was within ten feet of you when you talked to Kelly. Itlt up your hands, Ray mond! Yes, of course, but don't at tempt any play-I only need an ex- euse to hurt you"
 He glared at me savagely, yet his hands went up, although 1 could see