Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-01-13
glen, an l reckon faint 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, so if the
fellow slips by I'll nab him. Jones
all of you come here. Come, Kelly,
there's a hundred dollars in this for
you"
by God! It's worth it, fer some
body's liable ter get shot" He rolled
out of the saddle, but with evident re-
luctance. Il reckon I'll let one O. them
soJers go ahead. Yer must want thet
Reb powerful bad, leftenant?'
Il do" grimly, dead or alive"
Three other figures joined them;
they were on foot, but l could see the
guns in their hands, and the CLEAN OF
buttons in 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 a gruff sentence,
and then the whole five tramped past
and Kelly coming so close to where
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 had come up the
trail. They remained grouped there
for a moment, talking earnestly; then
the shadow formed distintegrated, and
RAYMOND and the horse alone re-
manned distinguishable. l knew the
others had disappeared in the black
ness of the ravine, and that they were
destined to search it's depths in vain,
for what little trail l might have left
in my crawl upward could never be
deciphered in that darkness. l waited
motionless for what I believed to be
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
grew fainter and finally ceased. The
lieutenant led the horse back few
yards, and fastened his rein securely
to the limb of a tree; then took his
own position within the brush shadow,
where he could watch the head Of the
trail. From where l crOuched | could
no longer see the fellow.
l had no thought of going on and
leaving him there on guard Not only
did l 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 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. 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 frighten the animal. Trust
ing that the lieutenant'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 a few
PAGES beyond. He stood erect, his
back towards me, perfectly motionless,
his entire consciousness concentrated
on his guard. l 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.
1--WE meet again. said coldly, "and
it seems to be my luck to hold the
cards."
''You! Good God! I 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-I only need an ex-
cuse to hurt you
He glared at me savagely, yet his
hands went up, although l could see
him glance backward over one Shout
der into the darkness of the ravine.
''You might make the jump" l said
drawing revolver from his belt, "but
to my best judgment there is hun
dred foot sheer drop right here, and it
would damage you some to take it,
See," and l tossed the weapon over
the edge, and we heard the sound as it
struck on the rocks below. II guess
you'll not try that trick. And so you
want me so badly you offer reward,
dead or alive? Isn't it rather my wife
you want?"