Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-09
CHAPTER XIV.
Flight.

De Spain, catching Mans arm, spoke
hurriedly, and they FASTENED outside
toward the kitchen. 1--WE must get
away quick" he saSl as she buttoned
her coat. And, knowing how she Suf-
fered in what she was doing he drew
her into the shelter of the porch and
caught her close to him. I'll take You
straight to Mrs. JeffrieS. When you
are ready, you'll marry me; wen make
our peace with your Uncle Duke TO.
gether. Great God. What night I.
This way, dearie."
mo. to the stable, Henry. Where's
your horse?"
"Under the pine, and yours, too. |
found the pony, but couldn't find
your saddle, Man.
81 know where it's hidden. Lets
get the horses"
"Just minute. ! stuck my rifle un.
der this porch" He stopped and felt
below the stringer. Rising In a mo-
ment With the weapon on his arm. the
two hurried around the end of the
house toward the plne tree. They had
almost reached this when Il murmur
unlike the sounds CT the storm made
De Spain halt his companion
"What Is it?' she whispered. He
listened intcntl". Without speaking,
he took Nan and retreated TO the cor
ner Of the house There is somebody
in that pine he whispered, waiting
for me to come after the horses. Sas-
soon may have found them. III try
ii out, anyway, before take a chance,
Stand back here, Nan"
He put her behind the corner of the
/ house, threw his rifle to his shoulder
ana fred as nearly as he could in the
/ darkness toward and Just above the
pine. without an instunt's hesitation
II pistol shot answered from the dircc
ton in which he had fired, and In
another moment small fusilade fol
lowed, by The Almighty mutteret
DE Spain, 1--WE must have our horses
Nan. Stay right here. III try driving
those fellows off their perch"
She caught his arm. "What are yor
going to do?"
run in on them from cover, wher
ever ! can find il, Nam and push then
back. We've got to have those horses.
''lf We could only get away wthou
Il fight"
"This is Sassoon and his gang. Nan
You heard pardaloe. These are no
your people. I've got to drive EN-, O.
wore gone, Nan"
'"Then | 20 with YOU"
"Nan You can't do it, whispered
De Spain encrget!cally. "a chance
bullet"
She spoke with decision: 81 g
with YOU can use rifle. Bette
both Of us be Killed than one Hell
me up ON this root. I've climbed |
n hundred times. My rifle is in m
room Quick, Henry"
Overriding his continued Objet
tons, she lifted her foot to his hanC
put her second foot on DE Spain
shoulder, gained the sloping roof AN
scrambled on her hands and knees u
to the window Of her room. A far-oi
penl Of thunder echoed from the moui
I tains Luckily, no fash had precede
y it, and Nan. rifle in hand slid safel
down to he end of the lcan-to, wher
DE Spain helped her to the srount
l!e directed her how to make n zigzu
advance toward the pine and, ahov
all, to throw herself fiat and silewis
nfter every Shot--and not to fir
often.
In this way they advanced slowl
but safely to the disputed point an
. then understandable horses wer
gone. a fresh discharge Of shots cam
from two Notwithstanding frOl
the house nn0 the stable. A mpmcl
f'aicr they heard sharp firing far dow
ne i.utl-~thelr sole avenue Of eScap
They Withdrew rs the shelter of
large rock familiar 10 Nan even in III
llark. While De Spain was debatin
, IN his mind how to mcct the enc
Scncy, she stood at his side his eau,
, ne knew, IN courage darlng AMI r.
source, and answered his rapid que