Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-04-27

jtnks! he's leadin' two bosses"
Anse' swung down TO the ground,
and ran his hands over the animals,
lingering the equipment.
Didn't the lieutenant say tibet the
spy an the gurl got off on horses
hitched by the hotel?"
Il didn't hear tell
Well. did; enyhow they wusn't
army horses they took. BY God! be-
lieve they're hidin' now in that church.
Here. you Kelly" new, exultaut tona
in his voice, scatter your men out
around Their who'll buildin' we've
freed our game. reckon"
The guerriIlas came forward on
foot, running, and scrambling up the
incline, but inclined to keep we'll back
from the silent church. Jem was clat-
tering down the pike, the clang of
his horses hoofs dying away in the
distance. HARDWOOD dropped his grip
ping hand from or my shoulder, and
stepped back from before the window.
Sergeant"
Here. sir" and Wharton moved
slightly in the darkness. so as to sig
nifty his whereabouts"
You attended to the door,"
Eyes. sir: we found an old iron bar
to ut across: they'll have to crush in
the wood to get through"
Let Johnson and Mcllvaine join
me here: what is the name OF that lad
] was going To recommend ror cor
poral?"
''O'llare, sir; Jacob OIiare."
put him in command OF the south
side. and you take the north; place
benches to stand on under the Win
dows. but keep your men down until
you get the word. There is TO be no
firing until give the order. Tell
them they have got to fight for their
lives. You understand"
Yes. sir; we'll do that, sir"
Then get to your stations. Now.
Wyatt. you command at the other
end; there are two windows and
door. Here, take this gun and belt;
can get another" He stopped, and
drew in quick breath. CHANGING out
out again through the window.
Friend Cowan-if that be his name
seems 10 be waiting for the military
to come up" he commented mock
ingly. Prefers to let the Yanks pull
his chestnuts out OF the fire. Perhaps
he has known you a long while-hey,
WYATT"
THE acquaintance has been rather
brief, but warm"
NO doubt; we'll. I'll help make it
warmer presently.
to hide YOU in safety. This is going
to be real fight, or am greatly mis-
taken, and bullets fly wild through the
dark"
IF it is left to me-" she said quiz
city. II prefer to go with Tom Wyatt"
But you do not understand"
broke in hastily, my pulses throbbing
at her unexpected decision. They
may attack"
.Oh. yes, the lady does. Wyatt"
chuckled the lieutenant, his reckless
good nature in no wise lost by the
desperation of our position. she is
a larwood, that's all. Hullo! here
comes the cavalry! Now, men, TO
your posts-and stand up to the mu-
sic."
] caught her hand in mine.
"You-you mean that. Noreen?"
"Yes; do not refuse. am not
afraid" she implored. Take me with
you"
We came to the platform, and felt
our way up the steps. It was darker
here. yet my eyes, accustomed to the
gloom. caught glimpse of crouching
figures beyond the pulpit. Outside.
sounding some distance away, Kelly's
sharp, penetrating voice shouted an
order. accompanied by an oath. One
of the kneeling figures rose slowly un-
til his eyes were even with the wiz
dow sill.
Men," said quietly, barely loud
enough to reach their ears. II am a
sergeant in the Stanton horse artil.
lery. Your lieutenant has just as
signed me to take command at this
end of the church. How many are
there Of you?"
Ten. SIR" answered the one near
est, after pause, turning his head
slightly. Three at each window, and
four at the door"
"Ycu have prisoner. understand ;"
He gave a muffled sound, as though
sitting an iucipient laugh.
"Nuthin' ter worry bout; he's ly.u'
over thar in the corner with JACK
Gold a-guardin' Of him. reckon the
cuss likes prayin' better ner hghtin
any day O. Their week"
"All right" dropped my voice to
a whisper. "Noreen, it will give us
an extra fighting man If you will keep
an eye on Nichols, and we'll need
them all. shall be less a coward If
believe you out of danger"
"A coward-you! Yes. of course.
will 60.
! stepped across the platform, hold
ing her arm.
Gold. the lady will watch the pris.
oner; you join the others at the door"
He moved OFF, evidently glad enough
to be relieved. and stood erect where
could gaze out through the nearby
window into the moonlight night with
out. l had moment in which to
think. to gather my scattered wits to-
gether. to face the situation. Behind
me the tramp Of approaching horse.
men sounded along TIE pike, the gruff
tone of an occasional voice, the clang
of accoutrements. Then this noise
ceased. as the head Of the cavalry col.
umn came IN to where Cowan ,na III,