Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-05-04
sisu. On. ffrseaoa faint : bad name

W. 8t1mAyv S001Q OF 31lve.
Three Other 6gures joined them;
they we're on foot. but could see the
guns In their banda and the CLEAN OF
buttons IN the moonlight. Raymond
spoke swiftly. pointing with one hand.
but hts voice WAS lowered 30 the words
did not reach me. No doubt he was
briefly explaining the plan. and giving
orders. Kelly added grulf sentence.
and then the whole i've tramped past
me. the lieutenant leading the horse.
and Kelly comtng 80 close to where
lay could have touched him with an
extended hand. Scarcely venturing to
breathe l watched their passage along
the edge Of the blur. until they halted
ct the point where I had come up the
trail. They remained grouped there
for moment talking earnestly; then
the shadow formed distintegrated. and
RAYMOND and the horse alone re-
matned distinguishable. knew the
others had disappeared in the black
ness Of the ravine. and that they were
destined to search its depths In vain.
for what little trail might have left
IN my crawl upward could never be
dectphered In that darkness. waited
motionless for. what believed to be
ten minutes, anxious that the fellows
get far enough down to be safely be-
yond earshot. At first l could hear
them slipping and stumbling along the
steep, stony path. but these sounds
grow fainter and finally ceased. The
lieutenant led the horse back q 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 crouched could
4 no longer see the fellow.
had no thought Of going on and
leaving him there on guard. Not only
did feel an overwhelming desire to
punish the man for his treachery and
insolence. but ! wished to gain posses.
sion Of the horse. Such an opportunity
as this was the gift of God. and was
only too eager to accept 1t. The wide
plain In front of w was deserted, the
cavalry troop having disappeared. The
glare OF torches had disappeared from
within the church. which was now
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. Salts
fed 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 would have to
pass where the horse was tied. and to
approach on hands and knees would
. be liable to brighten the animal. Trust.
ing that the Meutenant's whole atten-
ton would be devoted to the trail. and
that he would anticipate no approach
from behind, / walked straight forward
and laid hand on the horses head. He
smelt of me curiously, but made no
noise. and. looking across his back. !
could dimly perceive the man few
PAGES beyond. He stood erect, his
back towards me. perfectly motionless.
his entire consciousness concentrated
on his guard. / stole forward step by
step. noiselessly. 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.
I'VE meet again" said coldly. land
It seems to be my luck to hold the
cards."
"You! Good God! thought"
Il know what you thought. for was
within ten feet Of you when you talked
to Kelly. Put up your hands. Ray
mond! Yes. of course. but don't at
tempt any play only need an ex.
,use to hurt you"
/ He glared at me savagely, yet his
hands went up. although could see
him glance backward over one shout
der into the darkness Of the ravine.
You might make the jump" said.
drawing q revolver from his belt. "but
to my best judgment there is hun
dred foot sheer drop right here. and 1t
would damage you some to take 1t.
See." and tossed the weapon over
the edge. and we heard the sound as 1t
struck on the rocks below. Il guess
you'll not try that trick. And SO you
want me 80 badly you offer reward,
dead or alive? Isn't 1t rather my wife
you want?"
II Il don't believe she is your wife"
mot after she gave you her word!
4 That Is hardly complimentary to the
lady. lieutenant. However haven't
any reason to be Jealous of you-No-
reen knows you too well by this time;
you proved yourself q treacherous cur
in Lewisburg. Now turn around!"
I There was no other weapon in his
belt. and 1t never occurred to me that
no might possess another secreted in
his jacket: nor did realize the des.
perate hatred Of me which gave him
reckless courage. What to dc with
the fellow obsessed my mind; pos
sessed nothing to securely bind him
with; could not leave him free. nor
had I any desire to take him along
with me. He settled the problem him.
self. Suddenly. his arms above his
head. his eyes on mine. he kicked
viciously. the heavy shoe striking my
wrist. sending the revolver held
spinning into the grass . dozen feet
away. With almost the same move.
ment he was tuKging at his jacket
pocket saw the CLEAN Of steel. and
Eripped hts fingers Just In time; my
other hand. numbed by the blow dealt
me. was. for the instant, useless. yet
struck him with my elbow full In the
face. I had no grin that would hold.