The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-02-02

hills this morning, and they've not
come back. was just about sending
a search party for them"
"ln what direction did they go?"
asked Dyck with anxiety, though his
tone was even.
Darius .Boland pointed. "They went
slightly northwest. and If they go as
think they meant to do they would
come back the way you came In"
"They were armedl' Dyck asked
sharply, for thought OF the ladies ar
irving by the route he came by made
him fearful.
"Yes, they were armed" was the re-
ply. Miss Llyn had small pistol
She learned 10 carry one in Virginia
and she has done SO ever since we
came here"
Listen, Boland," said Dyck. with
some alarm. UP there In the hills by
which we came are Mnroons hidden,
and they will invade this place tonight.
We were ready to fight them. Of
course, as we came, but It's risky
business. and we wanted to get them
all ii possible. 1t wouldn't have been
possible If we had charged them there
for they were we'll ambushed My idea
was to let them get into the open be.
tween there and here, and catch them
as they came. Ii would save our OWL
men, and it would probably do for
them. If Mrs. and Miss Llyn come
back that way, they will be IN much
greater danger than we were, for the
MaroOns were coming here to capture
the ladies and hold them as hostages !;
and they would not let them pass, as
they did us. In any case. the risk IL
immense. The ladies must he got to
Spanish Town. FOR the Maroons are
desperate. They have placed their men
in every part of the middle and west
ern country, with orders What TO do.
and they came upon my place last
evening and were defeated Several
were killed and Que taken prisoner,
The trouble is they can't he marched
upon like an army. Their powers of
ambush are too great They must be
run down by bloOdhounds. It's the
only way"
"BIoodhounds-there are no blood
hounds hcre!" said Darius Boland
And If there were. wouldn't pious
England make fuSs?'
Dyck Calhoun was about To speak
sharply, but he caught CLINT OF
sarcasm In Darius Boland's face. anc
he said: Il have the bloodhoundS
They're outside the harbor now, and Il,
soon as they're landed intend TO uSt
them"
"If the governor allows YOU !" re
marked Darius Boland sareastically
"He does not like you or your blood
hounds, lie has his orders, so h,
says"
Dyck made an impatient gesture
II will not submit to his order.
have earned my place in this island
and | will see he does not have hi
way. I;ut we must wait no longer
The ladics must he brought 10 Spanisl
Town. and placed where the COVER
nor's men can protect them"
Darius Roland bowed. What yol
!, say goes always" he remarked. "bu
tell me- sir, who Will take the ladc
to Spanish Town.
Dyek Calhoun froWned. lie ren
the inner meaning Of Darius Boland,
words They did not pnt him out OF
Self-c0ntrol, however, 1t was not a
time ~ dwell ON such things. II was
his primary duty TO save the ladies
"COme, Boland," he said sharply. II
shall start now. Wherever The ladies
are, we must find them. What sect Of
country Is 1t through which thcy
pass over there?" He pointed.
Bad enough in some ways. There's
IN old monastery of the days nf The
Spanlards up thercn-he pointcd-"or
the ruins of one. and it is a pleasant
place to rest. doubt not they rested
there, if"
"lf they reached It" remarked
Dyck with crisp infection. YES, they
would rest there-and il would he n
good place for ambush for the
Maroons, ell? Its d--nabIe predica-
mcnt-no, you must not come with
me! You must keep command here"
He hastily described the course to
be followed by those of his own men
who remained to defend and then
said: Our horses are tagged. If you
can loan us four I'll see they are well
taken care of, and are returned, in
kind or cash. I'll take three of my
men only, and loan you three OF the
best. Wen fill our knapsacks and get
away, Boland."
few moments later. DyCk Calhoun
and his three companions. with guide
added by Boland. lead started away up
The road which had been ridden by
Mrs. Llyn and ShciIa. One thing WAS
clear, the MaroonS on the hill did not
know of the absence Of Sheia and
her mother, or they would not be wait.
ing He did NOT like the long absence
OF the ladies. 1t was 0Ilinous at such
tine.
Dyck and his small escort got away
by road unseen from where the
Maroons WERE aud when we'll away
put their HORSES To cautcr and got
into the hills. Once in the woods. how
cHeR they rode aler1Iy. and Dyck's