The Raymer enterprise., 1920-03-25

Again permitted my body to sink into
the depths, swimming onward with
easier stroke. satisfied l had not been
seen.
swan slowly ashore. creeping up
the low bank into the seclusion Of q
shallow. sandy gully. scooped out BY
the late rains. Immediately about me
all was silent, the steadily deepening
gloom rendering my surroundings
vaguely indlstinct.~
Thus far possessed no plan-ex-
cept to seek her. l would venture for
ward, rather bllndly trusting that good
fortune might direct my steps Alright.
would have to discover first Of all,
where Kirby had taken Eloise-into
whose hands he had deposited the girl
for safekeeplng. This task ought not
TO be difficult. The settlement was
small, and the camp itself not a large
one; no such party could hope to en-
ter Its confines without attracting at
tentioE. and causing comment. Once
had thus succeeded In locating her,
the rest ought to prove comparatively
easy-a mere matter Of action. For
had determined to play the spy no
longer; to cease being a mere shadow.
proposed finding Eloise, and telling
her the whole truth; following that.
and assured Of her support. l would
defy Kirby. denounce him II necessary
to the military authorities, Identifying
myself by means Of my army commits
sion, and Insist on the immediate re-
lease Of the girl. The man had broken
no law-unless the wanton killing of
Shrunk could be proven against him
and might not be able to compel his
arrest. Whatever he suspected now
relative to his prisoner, he had orig
inally supposed her TO be his slave, his
property. and hence possessed right
now under the law TO restrain her lib
erty. But even II was debarred from
bringing the man TO punishment,
could break his power, and overturn
his plans. Beyond that II would be a
personal matter between us; and the
thought gave me Joy.
attained my feet. confident and at
ease, and advanced up the gully, mov-
Ing cautiously. so as not to run blind
ly upon some sentry post In the dark
ness. There would be nervous sol
diers on duty, liable to fire at any
sound. or suspicious movement. and II
was part of my plan to penetrate the
lines unseen, and without inviting ar
rest. | was standing uncertain, when
the dim figure Of man. unquestiona-
bly, drunk, came weaving his uncertain
way along footpath which ran with
In a yard of my position. The sudden
blazing up Of fire revealed the un-
mistakahle features of the deputy.
"Hullo." said, happily. stepping d.
redly before him. "When did you
come ashore?"
"Hello, yerself." he managed to
calculate thiekly. "Wko are yer?
frien' o. mineT
"Why. don't yer remember Inc. oil
man? We wus talkln' tergether comm
up. wus goin' fer ter enlist"
H! yes; glad ter see yer. Sum
hot whisky ct this camp-tried eny?
NO." | answered. grasping at the
opportunity to arouse his generosity.
II amt got no coin to buy. I'm fiat
broke, maybe yer cud stake me fer a
bite ter eatf"
"Eat!" he flung one arm lovingly
about my shoulders. and burst into
laughter. "Yer bet yer life. we're a
goin' ter eat. an drink too. | don't 70
back on none q ther boys. Yer never
heerd nuthin' like tibet bout Tim Ken
nedy. reckon. Eat. sure-yer know
Jack Ralef"
''Never heerd the name"
"What. never heard a. lack Rale