The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-01-01

Again permitted my body to sink into
the depths, swimming onward with
easier stroke, satisfied / had not been
seen.
1 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 indistinct.
Thus far 1 possessed no plan-ex-
cept to seek her. / would venture for
ward, rather blindly trusting that good
fortune might direct my steps Alright.
/ would have TO discover first CT all.
where Kirby had taken Eloise-into
whose hands he haG deposited the girl
for safekeeping This task ought not
to be difficult. The settlement was
small. and the camp itself not large
one; no such party could hope to en-
ter its confines without attracting at
tention. 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
I 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
l. 10.
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 l 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 il was debarred from
bringing the man TO punishment,
could break his power. and overturn
mis- plans. Beyond that it would be
personal matter between us; and the
thought gave me JOY.
/ attained my feet, confident and at
ease, and advanced up the gully, NOV
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 IL
was a part of my plan to penetrate the
lines unseen, and without inviting ar
rest. was standing uncertain. when
the dim figure of a man. unquestiona-
bly, drunk, came weaving his uncertain
way along footpath which ran with
in yard OF my position. The sudden
blazing up OF fire revealed the un-
mistakable features OF the deputy.
"Hullo," / said happily, stepping d.
rectly before him. when did you
come ashorei"
"Hello, yerself." he managed to
calculate thickly. "Who are yer?
frien' o. miner
"Why, don't yer remember me. OF
man? We wus talkin' tergether comm
up. | wus goin' fer ter enlist"
I'll yes; glad ter see yer. Sum
hot whisky ct this camp-tried eny1"
"No," l answered. grasping at the
opportunity to arouse his generosity.
II amt got no coin 10 buy. I'm fiat
broke; maybe yer cud stake me fer
bite ter eat?'
"Eat" he flung one arm lovingly
about my shoulders. and burst into
laughter. Eyer bet yer life, we're a
goin ter eat, an drink too. don't go
back on none o. Their boys. Yer never
heerd nuthin' like thet bout Tim Ken
nedy. reckon. Eat, sure-yer know
Jack Rale7"
Never heerd the name"
what. never heerd o. Jack Rale !