The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-02-19

almost lifeleSS body huddlud on the
floor beside us, and Rene Beaucaire
her hand clasped in mine.
Lieutenant Knox," she said softly
yet with a note of con1dehCe I'm the
low voice, 81 am going to trust Won
absolutely; there are reasons why
so decide which l cannot explain nt
this time. ] have not known you long
enough to venture that far. You must
accept me Just as l ana runaway
slave and a negress, but also a woman.
Can you pledge such as l your word
Of honor-the word Of soldier and q
gentlemanY
81 pledge It to you, Rene Beau
caire," l answered soberly.
"And accept the pledge in all faith.
From now on whatever you say Will
do"
l had but one immediate purpose
in my mind-to escape from the house
as quickly as possible, to attain Petes
cart at the edge Of the woods, and be
several miles up the river, hidden
away in some covert before daylight
leaving no trail behind. 1t would prove
decidedly to our advantage If l was
not seen or recognized. The very mys-
terry, the bewllderment as to who had
so viciously attacked the gambler and
then spirited away the girl, would
serve to facilitate our escape.
! stopped and removed a pistol from
Klrby's pocket, dropping It, together
with such ammunition as l could find,
into one of my own. The man by this
time was breathing heavily, although
his eyes remained closed, and he still
lay exactly as he had fallen.
Keep your own weapon" l COM
manded her. Hide 1t away in your
dress. Now come with me-"
She obeyed, uttering nc word OF OBJ
lection, and stepping after me through
the open window onto the narrow bal
cony without I reached up and drew
down the shade, leaving us in com
parative darkness. The night was
soundless and our eyes, straining to
pierce the black void, were unable to
detect any movement
"YOu see nothing? l whispered,
touching her hand in encouragement.
"No evidence of a guard anywhere?"
"No-the others must still be out
in front waiting"
"There were only the four Of them,
thenW
$50 / understood. l was told they
came up the river in a small keelboat,
operated by an engine, and that they
anticipated no resistance The engi-
neer was left to watch the boat and
be ready to depart downstream at any
moment"
Good; that leaves US a clear pas
sage. Now l am going to drop to the
ground; it is not far below. Can you
make it alone2"
81 have done so many a time"
We attained the solid earth almost
together and in silence.
"Now let me guide you" she sug-
gested, as l hesItated. "I know every
inch of the way about here. Where Is
the negro waiting"
AT the edge of the wood where the
wagon road ends, beyond the slave
quarters"
eyes, know; It Will be safer for
us to go around the garden"
She fitted forward, sure-footed,
confident, and I followed as rapidly as
possible through the darkness. barely
keeping her dim ngure In sight. Our
feet stumbled over the ruts of road,
and seemed to vaguely recognize the
spot as familiar. Yes, away off yon-
der was the distant CLEAN Of the river
rejecting the stars. This must be the
very place where Pete and had part.
ed, but-where had the fellow gonei
Here is where he was directed to
wait" l explained hurriedly. Il am
sure / am not mistaken in the spot"
"Yet he is not here, and there is
no sign Of him. You left no other
instructions except for him to remain
until your retumW
81 think not-oh yes, did tell him
If you women came without me he was
to drive you at once to the boat and
leave me to follow the best way
could. DO you suppose it possible the
others reached here and he has gone
away with them"
She stood silent and l strove by
peering about to discover some marks
Of guidance, only to learn the use
lessness Of the effort. Even a slight
advance brought no result and 1t was
with some difficulty l even succeeded
IN locating her again in the darkness
indeed, only the sound of her voice