The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-03-10
CHAPTER xxx.
The Trail to covlnston.

The Trail to Covlngton.
As ! gripped the horses rein and
turned him slowly around | heard
single shot fired In the gorge below,
the sound echoing among the rocks
and spark of fire cleaned through
the darkness. II 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 ravine. 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 quarter OF
mile. 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 ravine
took me out OF sight of the body of
horsemen above, yet | knew they had
gailoped 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 anil
NAL toa 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
vinced me that they had safely at.
tanned the rendezvous, and were now
there. anxlously 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. He
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 passage through thick
scrub. pressing the branches aside
to prevent their scratching Raymond s
face He gave utterance to a groan
and lifted his head. supporting 1t on
my shoulder as we topped the rise
The horse SHE'D. caught glimpse OF
shadow fitting across an open space
"Noreenl"
.Is 1t really you? could not tell
the horse; the something across the
saddle"
She came forward with a swift
spring. not satisfied until her HAND
actually touched me.
"Oh. am so glad-you are not ever
hurt?"
Not seriously; battered up Bit
Nichols?"
Yes. he is here; there beside tn,
tree. Tell me what has happened
! What have you here? Why It Is |
man." she shrank back, IA dea.
mani"
NO. not dead" | FASTENED to eS
plain, unbuckling the belt, and lower
ing the still limp body to the ground
Here. parson, don't let the hors
stray. We cannot waste many mir
utes here; there are cavafrymen scout
ing the edge of the ravine yonder, an
they may come as far as this. Tha
is why brought the fellow along-t
keep him from being found. Do 20
recognize the face. Noreen"
II was dark and shadowy where W
. J were and she was compelled to ben