The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-01-08
CHAPTER xxx.
The Trail to covInoton.

me Irall 10 CoVinQton.
AS l 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 IL 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 rayine. Their
course would bring them higher up.
just to the rear OF the church, yet,
with suspicious once aroused, twas
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.
mond's body swaying across the sad.
die. II must have been a quarter OF
mne, or more, TO where the forest
spread out from the bank into dark
tangle OF trees. extending half across
the ridge The winding OF the rayine
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 fugitiyes had
been met with along the way, con
yinced me that they had safely at.
tanned the rendezvous. and were now
there, anxiously awaiting my arrival.
The time had not been long, and the
girl would never consent TO proceed
alone with Nichols, until she had lost
every hope of my joining her. lie
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 a shallow gully, and
then climbed the opposite bank. hav.
ing TO force a passage through thick
scrub, | pressing the branches aside
to prevent their scratching Raymond's
face. lie gave utterance TO a groan.
and lifted his head, supporting II on
my shoulder as we topped the rise
The horse SHE'D, caught glimpse OF
a shadow fitting across an open space
"Noreenl"
rs II really you? | could not tell
the horse; the something across the
saddle"
She came forward with a swift
spring. not sat lied until her hand
actually touched me.
"oh. am so glad-you are not even
hurt7"
Not seriously battered up Bit
Nichols?'
YES. he is \ re; there beside the
tree Toll me what has happened
What have you here? Why it is a
man. she shrauk back, IA dead
mani"
mo, not dead" I fastened to ex-
plain. unbuckling the belt, and lower
ing the still limp body 10 the ground
Here, parson don't let the horse
stray. We cannot waste many min.
~ an here. tHar. ore ov, Frtt,,o,, aocut
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?"
II was dark and shadowy where we
we're and she vas compelled to bend
low 10 distinguish the features. Her
lips gave startled. half.suppressed
cry:
why IL is Lieutenant Raymond
You-you fought together7 How did
he come hereY"
II think he suspected we might
manage TO escape from the church. He
was more anxious 20 capture me than
he was 10 fight evidently. for caught
no glimpse OF his face during the
melee. But he. and three troopers,
were hidden at the edge OF the woods
watching where the trail comes up
from the ravine."
"Yes.9 breathlessly, I'VE saw them
come across. just after the torches be-
gan TO fare up inside the church. Then
later another man rode along there"
THAT was Kelly; he brought word
that we had got away. I was within
ten feet OF them when they met. The