The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-07-06

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and let's keep our heads. If anything
should happen to me, have a try your
selves, and see what you can do. The
ladies must be freed. II they're there.
There's not one Of you that won't
stand by to the last, but l want your
oath upon 1t. BY the heads or graves
Of your mothers, lads, you'll see 1t
through Up with your hands,"
Their hands eel up. by our
mothers heads or graves! !" they said
In low tones.
"GoodW he replied. "I1l go on
ahead. II you hear a call, or a shot
fired, come forward swiftly"
An instant later he plunged into the
woods to the right of the road, by
which he would come upon the ruins
from the rear. He held a 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 lea to 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 a hand be-
hind his ear, and looked steadfastly
toward that part Of the wood where
Dyck was. 1t was clear he had heard
something. Dyck did not know how
many Maroons there might be In the
ruins, or near 1t, and he did not at
tack. 1t was essential that he find
out the strength Of his foe and he re-
NAMED quiet. Presently the native
turned as though to go back into the
ruins, but changed his mind, and be-
gan to 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 ever caught at the long
cloths of the head-dresses they wore
They've got the ladies there"
thong : Dyck, "but they've done them
no harm yet" He waited some mo-
ments longer to see If more natives
were coming out, then said to himself:
"Ill make a try for 1t now 1t won't
do to run the risk of going back to
bring my fellows up. It's a fair risk,
but it's worth taking"
With that he ran softly forward to
the entrance Of the ruins from which
he had seen the men emerge. Look
ing In he saw only darkness. Then
suddenly he gave a soft call, the call
Of an Irish bird-note which all people
In Ireland-in the west and south Of
Ireland-know. If Sheila was alive
and In the place she would answer It,
he was sure. He waited a 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-like than his
own.
"She's there" he said, and boldly
entered the place.
1t vas dark and damp, but ahead
was a break in the solid monotony of
ruined wall, and he saw a clear stream
Of light beyond. He stole ahead, got
over the stone distractions. and came
on to a biggish room which one had
been a re%fectory. Looking round it
he saw three doors-One evidently led
into the kitchen, M into a pantry,
and one into a hall. 1t was clear the
women were alone, or some n would
have come in answer to his call. Who
could tell when they would come?
There was no time to be lost. With
ar 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
put his fingers to his lips. then hastily
cut them loose from the ropes of bam-
boo, and helped them to their feet.
"Can you walkY he whispered to
Mrs. Llyn. She nodded assent, and
braced herself. "Then here" he said,
"is a pistol. Come quickly. We may
have to fight our way out. Don't be
afraid to fire, but take good aim first.
I have some men In the wood beyond
where you shot the native" he added
to Sheila. They'll come at once II l
call, or a shot is fred. Keep your
heads, and we shall be all right.
They're a dangerous crew, but wen
beat them this time, I think. Come as
quickly as you can"
Presently they were in the refec-
tory, and a moment after that they
were over the stones, and neal the en-
trance Of the ruins. and then a native
appeared. armed and running In. With
out an instant's hesitation Dyck ran
forward and as he put hin