Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-02-10
CHAPTER xxx.
The Trail to covlnuton


As I gripped the horses rein and
turned him slowly around l heard a
single shot fired In the gorge below.
the sound echoing among the rocks
and a spark of fire cleaned through
the darkness. 1t was far enough away
to give me little concern. yet the re-
port must have been heard by the cav
airy squad now well out In the open.
for they wheeled their horses and rode
straight toward the ravine. Their
course would bring them higher up,
just to the rear of the church. yet,
likely they would patrol the banks.
seeking for some passage below. Con-
fident the distance between US was
sufficient to hide my movements SO
long as kept we'll back in the shadow
OF the trees. / led the horse forward.
advancing as rapidly as ! dared to
travel. using one hand to steady Ray
rnonds body swaying across the sad
die. 1t must have been q quarter of q
mile, or more. to where the forest
spread out from the bank into q dark
tangle OF trees, extending half across
the ridge. The winding Of the ravine
took me out of sight OF the body OF
horsemen above, yet | knew they had
galloped to the edge Of the gorge. and
were calling to whoever was below.
could hear the shouts. without catch.
ing the words. and even imagined |
distinguished faint cry in return. By
slipping the lieutenant's belt over the
saddle horn. thus preventing his limp
body from sliding off. / urged the ami
NAL to a sharp trot
What was before US In those dark
woods was all conjecture-but ! pos
sessed infinite confidence In Noreen.
The very silence, coupled with the fact
that no sign of the two fugitives had
been met with along the way. con
WINGED me that they had safely at.
tanned the rendezvous. and were now
there. anxiousiy awaiting my arrival
The time had not been long. and the
girl would never consent to proceed
alone with Nichols. until she had lost
might not remain willingly in such
close proximity of danger, but could
count on her to keep the fellow there
until the last possible moment We
went down into shallow gully, and
then climbed the opposite bank, hav-
ing to force a passage through thick
scrub, I pressing the branches aside
to prevent their scratching Raymond's
face. He gave utterance to a groan.
and lifted Ills head, supporting 1t on
my shoulder as we topped the rise
The horse SHE'D. | caught glimpse of
a shadow fitting across an open space.
.'Noreen!"
rs 1t really you? could not tell
the horse: the something across the
saddle"
She came forward with a swift
spring, not satisfied until her hand
actually touched me.
oh. am so giad-you are not even
hurt?"
Not seriously: battered up Q bit
Nichols?"
Yes, he is here; there beside the
tree. Tell me what has happened!
What have you here? Why 1t II a
man." she shrank back. "a dead
mani"
mo. not dead" fastened to ex-
plain, unlocking the belt, and lower
ing the still limp body to the ground.
Here. parson. don't let the horse
stray. We cannot waste many min
utes here: there are cayafrymen scout
ing the edge of the ravine yonder. and
they may come as far as this. That
is why brought the fellow along-to
keep him from being found. Do you
recognize the face. Noreen?"
1t was dark and shadowy whore we
were and she was compelled to bend