The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-01-01


Ing how he was bound. Instantly !
cut the cords and began rubbing the
mans wrists 10 restore circulation.
II 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 we're. but !
couldn't git the gag out er my mouth.
Bend down a bit lower: don't want
none o. them soiers ter hear
"All right--what is IT."
"Yer oil ledge WAITS boy. amt
yer?"
Eyes"
IAN she's the darter o Major Har-
woodg"
"This is Noreen Harwood"
Il thought so, but thar amt hardly
light 'nough fer me ter be sure. /
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?"
Wei. 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 It was per-
formed TO save your life"
1T wasn't" he chuckled. 81 want
afeerd yer would shoot. was thet
mad at Anse didn't care; but
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 baptstry under the pulpit;
this is a Baptist church, and Their is
an opening in the floor just back of
where you are. Feel a little to the
left-yes, about thar--dont you touch
an iron ring? What? Well, thar's
one thar. an II lifts two puncheon
slabs spiked tergether"
Yes, but what is below-just a
tank?"
His voice trembled with eager ex-
element. and he gripped me tightly.
IL amt afeerd ter tell you. cause
/ knew both yer daddies. an reckon
yer'll take me long with yer. won't
you? Yer won't leave me we're fer ter
face that Anse Cowan? Yen promise
me that?"
"Of course. Nichols" said sooth;-
ingly. the mans cowardlce almost dis
gushing, IL you show us way OF
escape we'll go together II the chance
comes-what is it? Speak quick"
FL know the oil trail over the
mountings down ter Covington; l
reckon as how you couldn't never git
thar without me. III thought IL 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' nobody1l never know nuthin
bout g."
Explain first" said shortly. AS
far as trust goes. have confidence in
you, Nichols. just so far as I can see
you What is below"
Five steps leadin down inter a
wood tank" he explained slowly. real
izing that his only hope OF release lay
in full description. IT'S empty now,
an dry as a board amt been hap
tism yere in six months The place
whar' the water runs out is az 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 ther upper step an open
an shut the thing, an never git yer
feet wet"
And how big is the opening?"
oval. don't fist know. but I've
crawled through thar fixing leak. an
II did II onct. reckon | kin again.
'Taint morn bout six feet beyond Their
wall till II hits the edge o. Their 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 IL released him. and left
them alone together7 Did not his in
tercsts also lie I'm 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
nulhit vprll find a dozen ar 80"