Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-05-04
CHAPTER XVI.
One Way Of Escape.

not far from US, and bent over, mob
ing how he was bound. Instantly I
cut the cords and began rubbing the
mans wrists to restore circulation.
Il never noticed you were strung up
like that. Nichols" said earnestly.
Who did the job?" :
The sergeant" he answered. chok.
ing. Il tried ter speak as soon as
saw you an the lady yere. but I
couldn't git the gag out er my mouth.
Bend down bit lower: don't want
none O. them sojers ter hear"
"All right-what Is it,"
yer oil Jedge Wyatt's boy, amt
yer?"
Eyes"
''An' she's the darter o. Major Har.
wood?"
This is Noreen Harwood."
II thought SO, but thar amt hardly
light 'nough fer me ter be sure. I
married yer over cross Their noun
tings-an' Is Anse Cowan along with
them Yanks out thar?"
Yes. and all the gang, excepting
old Ned. who was shot last night"
"You shot him."
We'll, it was my pistol; we were
fighting together" Suddenly thought
swept through my mind. "See here,
Nichols, you are in as bad shape as
we are. Anse has treated you like a
dog, and he will never forgive you
for that marriage, even il 1t was per-
formed to save your life"
1T wasn't" he chuckled. II want
afeerd yer would shoot. i was thet
mad at Anse didn't care; but I
reckon he'll bout skin me alive II ever
he ketches me yere."
DO you know Of any way out?"
He glanced about cautiously. to as
sure himself that no soldier was with.
in earshot.
"The baptistry under the pulpitj i
this is Baptist church. and Their is
an opening In the floor just back Of
where you are. Feel little to the
left-yes, about thar-don't you touch
an iron ring? What? Well. thar's
one thar, an 1t lifts two puncheon
slabs spiked tergether."
Eyes, but what is below-just q
tank?"
His voice trembled with eager ex-
element. and he grlpped me tightly.
81 amt afeerd ter tell you. cause
l knew both yer daddies. an reckon
yerll take me long with yer. won't
you? Yer won't leave me yere fer ter
face that Anse Cowan? Yell promise
me that?"
"Of course, Nichols I said sooth-
ingly, the mans cowardice almost dis
gushing, "if you show US q way Of
escape we'll go together II the chance
comes-what is it? Speak quick?"
"I-1 know the Oh trail over the
mountings down ter Covington; I
reckon as how you couldn't never git
thar without me. IL thought It all
out while was lynn yere trussed up
like turkey. but they never Civ me
no chance fer ter get loose. Now IL
you folks will cut this yere rope often
my legs I'll show yer how fer ter git
out-an nobodyll never know uuthin'
bout It"
Explain first" I said shortly. CAS-
far as trust goes. have confidence in
you. Nichols. Just so far as can see
you. What is below?"
Five steps leadin' down inter q
wood tank" he explained slowly, real.
izing that his only hope Of release lay
In full description. Its empty now,
an dry as board: amt been a bap-
tism yere in six months. The place
whar' the water runs out is at the
south side. right down 'gainst the bot
tom; Their cover ter the opening is
screwed tight by wheel. or Ned
Cowan made Their contraption, an yer
kin stand on Their upper step an open
an shut the thing, an never git yer
feet wet"
"And how big is the opening?"
wal, l don't fist know, but I've
crawled through thar fixing leak. an
If l did 1T onct, reckon kin again.
Taint morn bout six feet beyond Their
wall till it hits the edge O. ther ravine.
Thet's why the Yanks didn't make no
attack on tibet side o. Their church
thar amt no room"
The whole situation lay clear before
me. | had no thought of utilizing this
unexpected opportunity myself. for
meant to stay with the others. and
perform my part Of the fighting to the
end. But here was protection, and
possible escape, for Noreen. Yet could
the preacher be trusted? Would he
play fair If released him, and left
them alone together? Did not his in.
terests also lie in getting away safe
ly? What act Of treachery could he
commit. and, besides the girl was
| armed.
"How do you light this church,"
Candles mostly" surprised at the
question, Eyer amt goin' fer ter light
up, are you?"
mot here-no; but below; whore is
there one?"
Il reckon on tibet thar shelf in the
pulpit yer'll find dozen er so"
Bring couple here. Noreen."
She slipped across silently, and
came back with two in her hand.
You are going to try to get away?"
she whispered cautiously.
NO, not now. An opportunity may
come later. II 1t was possible to slip