The Dolores star., 1920-03-19

Again permitted my body to sink into
the depths. swimming onward with
easier stroke, satisfied I had not been
seen.
swan slowly ashore, creeping up
the low bank into the seclusion of a
shallow, sandy gully. scooped out by
the late rains. Immediately about me
all was silent, the steadily deepening
gloom rendering my surroundings
vaguely indistlnct.
Thus far | possessed no plan-eX-
cept to seek her. | would venture for
ward. rather bliudly 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 safekeeping. This task ought not
to he 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
teuIioE, 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 EIoise, and telling
her the whole truth following that.
and assured of her support, | would
defy Kirby, denOunce him If 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 If was debarred from
| bringing the man to punishment, /
| could break his power, and overturn
his plans. Beyond that it 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 nny
sound, or suspicious movement. and 1t
was part Of my plan to penetrate the
lines unseen, and without inviting ar.
rest. l was standing uncertain, when
the dim figure of man. unquestiona.
bly, drunk, came weaving his uncertain
way along footpath which ran with.
in yard Of my position. The sudden
blazing up of n fire revealed the un.
mistakable features of the deputy.
"Hullo." said, happily. stepping di.
rectly before him. "When did you
come ashore?"
Hello, yerself." he managed to
calculate -thickly. "Who are yeri
frien' o. mine?
"Why, don't yer remember Inc. oil
man? We wus talkln' tergether comm
up. | wus goin' fer ter enlist"
IL! yes; glad ter see yer. Sun
hot whisky ct this camp-tried eny?"
NO" I answered, grasping at the
opportunity to arouse his generosity
81 amt got no coin to buy. I'm fla,
broke; maybe yer cud stake me fer Q
bite ter eat?"
Eat" he flung one arm lovingly
about my shoulders. and burst into
laughter. "Yer bet yer life, we're &
goin' ter cat. an drink too. don't gt
back on none o. ther boys. Yer nevel
heerd nuth n like tibet bout Tim Ken
nedy. / reckon. Eat, sure-yer know
Jack Rale7'
Never heerd the name"
whist. mover heerd O. Jack Rale