Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-05-04

Yes-here, Fox; the fellow wants
% talk with YOU"
There was sound Of movement
without. the murmur of a word or
two spoken in subdued tones; then
Fox's voice raised to carry through
The Intervening wood.
Sorry this hapens to be my Job
Wyatt" he said. For Miss Har-
woods sake l hope you will not at
tempt to fight; we've got a total force
gut here Of over two hundred men"
so see." I answered coolly, in
Guiding Cowan and my old friend, the
lieutenant Quite a compliment to
send half regiment after one man"
Our having such force is largely
accident" he responded somewhat
sttfly. But that is neither here nor
there; your escape Is impossible &
Il am not considering escape" and
spoke loud enough to be heard clear
~. This is going to be fight, Cap.
tain Fox-a real fight
"A fight! What, you alone?"
"Oh, no: there are men enough in
this church to make it quite interest
Ing. That is why warn you've are
soldiers, not murderers."
What, you think that BLUFF will
! work."
Captain Fox" broke In Harwood
bluntly, his voice nervously sharp, II
command Troop c, Third Kentucky
cavalry. This is no bluff, sir. give
you fifteen minutes to withdraw your
men; at the expiration of that time
We open fire.
The surprise. the shock of this unes
pected development and threat was
plainly evident. heard Fox step back
from the door and speak earnestly to
someone; Moran swore savagely
What force have you?" he roared.
the insane question causing Harwood
to laugh outright.
Come and find out" he answered
mockingly. Better go back to the
other end now, sergeant" he added in
lower voice. and gripped my hand.
The ball is about to Open Where is
my lady cousin?"
II put her on guard over the pris.
oner. She will be out Of range there,
and have something to do"
"And gives you another fighting
mani see. Queer duck, that preach.
era bit Of . knave. to my notion, and
one Of the finest liars l have ever
heard; he'll bear watching. All! our
friend the major has come to his
senses-look yonder! They are NOV
ing back out Of range"
GAY! and concentrating heavier
body of men this way"
"Of course: the first assault will be
from the front. Tell Wharton to
spare me two or three more men, and
send q couple from your end They may
make q rush from all directions. but
tho real fight will be here; they are
going to try US out, that is certain"
walked back to my station. The
line Of men threatening this end of
the building had been drawn aside.
out Of direct rife range, and seemed
to be grouped opposite each corner.
and were 80 closely punched together
% to make any estimate of their num-
bers impossible. They were only
shapeless shadows, with moonlight
| cleaning from their weapons, and an
occasional voice breaking the ominous
silence. There remained nothing to
do but await their action, ready for
whatever might occur. passed along
the wall from man to man, assuring
myself each was at his station, with
loaded weapon. and well-flled car.
fridge belt.
1.-THE fight will begin in front" !
whispered. unable to distinguish faces,
and no firing here until l give the
word"
In the darker corner where the pris.
0ner sat motionless against the log
wall. my eyes could distinguish moth,
ing.
"Noreen."
Yes" and she stood up. Couldn't
you see me?"
"Not the faintest shadow. IL
wanted to thank you for the choice
you made"
"You mean my coming with you1
You are glad did?"
Eyes. very glad.' / said earnestly
FOR you are just as safe here, and
and l would rather have you near me.
This may prove desperate struggle;
we are terribly outnumbered-and-
and. well. you know. you-you trusted
yourself to me-yOu are under my pro.
lection"
There was no answer: perhaps ]
had said too much. Suddenly volley
reared out, startling in the stiffness
shout of command-the sharp bark
Of carbines-then . grim. threatening
yelp of voices. One leap brought me
to the window, with gun barrel thrust
forward across the sill. The two black
shadows were breaking up in headlons
rush toward the door at the south
corner. saw figures, not faces, q
cleaning Of poised weapons. a huddle
Of leaping bodies.
"Fire!" roared, my voice risina
above the hideous din. GIVE it to
them!" and pulled trigger.
Fl I have no clear knowledge of what
: followed-it was all 80 quickly owe,
, with; . mere mad moment crowded
with vague glimpses. vanishing and
changing in the lurid light Of the
guns. The whole interior Of the church
blazed and echoed. the smoke chokina
us with its fumes, the noise STUNNING
our ears. heard the chug Of bullets
6attening against the logs, smothered
oaths. the crash Of an overturned
bench. scream as shrill as WON
ans. that made my heart lean md