The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-02-25

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 a wheel. OF 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. | don't fist know. but I've
crawled through thar fixing leak, an
II did 1t onct. ! reckon kin again.
faint morn bout six feet beyond Their
wall till 1t hits the edge o. Their rayine.
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 IL 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, yer amt goin' fer ter light
up. are your"
mot here-no; but below; where is
there one?"
Il reckon on tibet thar shelf in the
pulpit yerll find a dozen er so"
Bring a couple here, Noreen."
She slipped across silently, and
came back with two In her hand.
you are going to try to get away 2"
she whispered cautiously.
mo, not now. An opportunity may
come later. If 1t was possible to slip
all these men out would gladly do so
but 1t is already too late for any
such attempt. But there is a chance
for you, and 1t is even barely possible
that, when all hope of defense is over.
may find some way of joining you"
"You-you promise that?" she asked.
If consent to go. you-you will come
later II you CAM"
Yes; | will pledge myself to accept
every chance. when | can do no more
lighting. I'll come to you, II live.
Now, Nichols. listen--I am going to
set you free. and permit you to slip
down through that trap door with this
LADY, She is armed, and she knows
how to shoot Attempt one treacher-
GUS trick and you pay the penalty"
Il amt tibet kind" he whined.
"Oh, yes you are; but 1t will never
pay this time. Don't take your eyes
OFF him, Noreen; the moment that trap
door closes light the candle, and keep
the revolver ready. Make him unscrew
the cap, and leave 1t off out of the
way. Set the candle down in one cor
ner as far back as possible. You bet
ter go out first"
Il am not to wait for your" be-
wildered.
mot in there-no; outside, for they
might fire the building. Nichols,
where is the best place for the two of
you to hide so | could find your"
In the woods to the west; there is
trail half way down the ravine
climbin' up-an oil hog trail"
My fingers touched his throat, and
bent lower staring straight into his
eyes.
Now. mark we'll what | say,
Nichols. | am going to release you,
and give you a chance to get away.
But you stay with the woman-do you
hear! Stay with her until you both
reach the Confederate lines at Coving-
ton. II ever get out OF here alive,
and learn you have attempted any
trick, I'll run you down. Nichols, IL it
takes ten years. Now Ill cut the rope,
and you creep over to where that ring
is in the floor. and wait my order"
Evidently his limbs were numb from
the tight cord for he crept the few
feet painfully, and then sat up rubbing
the afflicted parts with both hands. |
swept one glance out through the win
dow. and then about the dim interior,
endeavoring to locate the men nearest
us. Only one stood close enough to
observe our movements. and | sent
him with message to the sergeant
Nov. Noreen." whispered swiftly.
this is the best time Take these pa.
pers; they are for Jackson; give them
to the first Confederate officer you
meet. and have them forwarded at
once. Don't trust Nichols for single
moment out OF range of your revolver"
You will not Gomez"
Not now; you would not wish me
to desert my comrades-would your"
"Oh. do not know! do not know.
1t is so hard to decide. You really
wish me to so? IL will please your"
Yes"
And you will come Tiff you cant
| am to wait. and-and hope for your"
Il pledge you my word. dear girl"
She chung to my hands. her face up
lifted in the moonlight.
IL am your wife," she said softly,