The diamond drill., 1921-10-08

OF struggle or disturbance. The foot
printa both native and white. were
firmly placed. but the horses hoof-
prints showed agitation. Presently the
h0ofmarks became more composed
again. Suddenly one OF Dycks sup
porters exclaimed he had picked up
a small piece OF ribbon. evidently
dropped to guide those who might
come searching. Presently another
token was found In loose BIT OF
buckle from shoe. Then, suddenly.
upon the middle OF the road was a little
pool OF blood and signs that a body
had lain In the dnst.
'She shot native here" said Dyck
10 his companions morosely. yet coolly.
"There are no signs OF a struggle"
remarked the most observant.
"WeIl. we must go carefully here.
Tor they may have been imprisoned In
the ruin. You stay here. and I'll go
forward" he added. with hand or
his sword I've got an idea they're
here. We have one chance, my lads.
and let's keep our heads II anything
should happen to me. have a try your
selves, and see what you can do. The
ladies must be freed, IL they're there.
There's not one of you that won't
stand by to the last, but / want your
oath upon It. BY the heads or graves
OF your mothers. lads. you'll see It
through Up with your handsl"
Their hands went up "By our
mothers heads or graves" they said
in low tones.
"Goodi" he replied. 'I'ii go on
ahead. If you hear a call. or shot
fired, come forward swiftly"
An instant later he plunged into the
woods 20 the right of the road, by
which he would come upon the ruins
from the rear. He held pistol as he
stole carefully yet quickly forward.
He was anxious there should be no
delay, but he was equally anxious
not TO be rash. At last. without meet
ing anyone, he came near 10 the ruins.
They showed serene IN the shade Of
the trees.
Then suddenly he saw come from
the ruins a Maroon OF fierce yet not
cruel appearance. who laid hand be-
hind his ear, and looked steadfastly
toward that part Of the wood where
Dyck was. II was clear he had heard
something. Dyck did not know how
many Maroons there might be In the
ruins, or near II, and he did not at
tack. II was essential that he find
out the strength of his foe; and he re-
manned quiet Presently the native
turned as though TO so back into the
ruins, but changed his mind, and bev
gan 10 make a tour OF the stony
ruined building. Dyck waited. and
presently he saw more natives come
from the ruins, and after a moment
another three. These last were hav-
ing an argument OF some stress, for
they pulled at each others arms and
legs and even caught Mt the long
cloths of the head-dresses they wore.
They've gota the ladies there"
thought Dyck. "but they've done them
no harm yet. lie waited some mo-
nicnts longer 10 see II more natives
were coming out, then said 10 himself:
'Ill make try for IL now. IL won't
do 10 run the risk OF going back 10
bring my fellows up. It's a fair risk,
but it's worth taking
with that he ran softly forward 20
the entrance OF the ruins from which
ne had seen the men emerge. Look
ing IN he saw only darkness. Then
suddenly he gave a soft call, the call
OF an Irish blrd-note which all people
I'm Ireiand-in the west and south OF
Ireland--know. IL Shena was alive
end I'm the place she would answer Il,
he was sure. He waited moment,
and there was no answer. Then he
called again, and In an instant, as
though from a great distance, there
came the reply OF the same note,
clearer and more bell-liSe than his
own.
shes there" he said, and boldly
entered the place.
II was dark and damp. but ahead
was n break In the solid monotony OF
ruined wall. and he saw a clear stream
OF light beyond. He stole ahead, got
over the stone obstructions, and came
on 20 biggish room which once had
been a refectory. Looking round Il
he saw three doors-one evidently led
into the kitchen, one into q pantry.
and one into hall. II was clear the
women were alone. or some one would
have come In answer 20 his call. Who
could tell when they would come3
There was no time 10 be lost. With
an instinct. which, proved correct, he
opened the door leading into the old
kitchen, and there, tied. and with pale
faces. but In no other sense disor-
dered, were sheila and her mother. He
nut his fingers to his lips. then hastily
cut them loose from the ropes of bam-
J, boo, and helped them to their feet.
"can you walk7r he whispered 90