The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-11-01
CHAPTER VIII.
In pssperat strah

tinsuish dimly the outline of near
by objects.
At last located the herd, pick
eted across the road. to the front
OF the tavern. The troop animals
were punched closely together,
and to endeavor to detach even one
from among them would alarm all
the others. But there was q sin
gle animal-the captains, no
doubt-tethered a few rods away
. ] might succeed in leading this
creature unobserved beyond sight
OF the sentry. / wanted two, but
even one was far better than being
afoot.
"Mademoiselle, you will wait here
untfl ] return" / said. turning my
head to glance at her.
Alone. Monsieur"
Yes; am going to attempt cut
ting out horse for our use."
qfept out into the open space.
sinking my body into slight de-
preston which / discovered by
chance. and advancing with ex-
trene caution. This brought me to
the road at a safe distance from the
sentry. waited until his back
was turned. then slipped across the
open road and burrowed In the
grabs and weeds on the other side.
By this time / was we'll to the
r.Sht of the solitary animal. I
moved on hands and knees until
the body OF the horse was between
me and the sentry. Then, safely
sheltered, I stood up, waited until
the man turned again on his beat
and walked quietly forward. The
horse turned his head, and smelt
of me. but with no exhibition OF
fear.
He was a long-limbed, rangy an
6mal. and had on saddle cloth
and bride, altho the bits were not
In the mouth. A strong rope about
the neck led away into the dark.
neso. and was, apparentl.'. a long
bit OF cord. l sawed this thru
strand by strand with my knife
blade, and peered across the AMI
maPs back, figuring out the safer
course OF action.
I could see the camp fire now,
and the men sleeping about II. The
man on guard came to the end OF
MS beat; cast careless glance out
intq the darkness, shifted his gun,
and wheeled about. To ali appear.
anoes he had no thought OF danger
Ibis trick at sentry a mere rou.
tine.
Ny mind grasped instantly the
chance offered by such careless.
ness. II there was no noise the
PROBABILITY was he would never
gnlss this horse. Even II ho did,
he would most likely imagine the
animal had wandered to the end
Of tAe picket rope. or lain down in
the long grass.
Impressed by the truth of this. |
stepped backward, the horse fol.
lowing to my grip on the rope.
watched closely the movements OF
me guard. As he wheeled TO re
trace his beat we waited motion
IesAs but the moment his back was
turned we were off once more. This
second attempt brought us well be
yond his vision and downSa slight
deslivity where the darkness was
intenss. then ventured to cross
the toad. and seek a way back into
the Village.
y was by sense of touch that I
advanced. for among the huts the
gloom of the night was like a black
wall Yet found a projecting log
slipped the BIT into the horses
mouth. and fastened the rein Sc.
curely.
To return to the point from which
] started was not an easy journey
but the distant glare of the camp
fire served as a guide. Once near
the. hut where we had hidden II
could not be mistaken, because oil
IT. close proximity to the tavern
Gao4f to make all possible haste,
ran forward, almost reckless, to the
spot where had left her.
II was Observation-Disclosures
had disappeared. For a moment
could not realize the truth, search
ing with my hands in the darker
shadows, and circling the entire
hut. But she had gone.
I stood stunned, bewildered, star
ing helplessly about, fearing every
instant to hear sounds of alarm
from the tavern; not knowing
where to turn or search.
There was little doubt in my
mind as to the reason for this act
she distrusted me. She had bidder
herself in this foul village rather
than wait my return. My presence
was more hateful to her than ali
else.
But was It? Could there not b.
some other explanation?
I thrust open the door of the
hut. and spoke her name. Their,
was NO answer, but I could not de
sist feeling about within from wal
TO wall. Driven by desperation
invaded two other OF the miserabl,
structures to no purpose.
This blind search was useless
Besides. she had left with me those
dispatches for the king. Every in
stinct babe me mount and ride
away on the duty OF soldier. Bu
70 do 20 would mean her desertior
10 A unknown fate.
IL stood there, racked by doubt
when the alarm burst; hoarst
yoics called out some hasty order