Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Dakota County herald. (Dakota City, Neb.) 1891-1965 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1921)
DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD & Gilbert SEA THE k COPYRIGHT (CHAPTER XVI Continued.) 11 The governor nodded. "Yes, I nm Clven discretion, but this Is an order." "An order 1" she commented. "Then If It should not be fulfilled, break It and take the consequences. The prin ciple should be Do what Is right and have no fear." "I will think It over," nnswered tho governor. "What you say has Im mense weight with me more even than I have words to say. Yes, I will think It over I promise you. You aro a genius you prevail." Her face softened, a now something came Into her manner. "You do truly mean It?" she asked with lips that al most trembled. "Yes, I mean It," answered Lord Mallow. "I mean It exactly as I say It" She smiled. "Well, that should be your recommendation for promotion," she said happily. "I am sure you will decide not to enforce the order, If you think about It. You shall be promoted, your honor, to a better place," she re peated, half satirically. "Shall I then?" ho asked with a warm smile and drawing close to her. "Shall I? Then It can only be by your recommendation. Ah, my dear, 'iny beautiful dear one," he hastened to add, "my life Is possible hencefor ward only through you. You have taught me by your life and person, by your beauty and truth, by your no bility of mind and character how life should be lived. I have not always deserved your good opinion nor that of others. I have fought duels and killed men; I have aspired to place; I have connived nt appointment; 1 have been vain, overbcurlng and Insistent on my rights or privileges; I have played the dictator hero In Jamaica; I have not been satisfied save to get my own way ; but you have altered all that. Your 'coming here has given me a now outftok. Sheila, you have changed me, and you inn chango me Infinitely more. I who have been a master wish to become your slave. I want you beloved, I want you for my wife." Ho reached out us though to tako tier hand, but she drew buck from him. "My lord," sho said, "oh, you have stirred mo! Yet I daro not reply to you as you wish. LIfo Is hard as It Is, nud you have suddenly mado It harder. What Is more, I do not, I can not, bellovo you. You havo loved many. Your life frns been a covert menace. . Oh, I know what thoy suld of you In Ireland. I know not of your life here. I suppose It 1 circumspect now; but In Ireland It was declared you were notorious wltb women." "It Is a He," he answered. "I was not notorious. I was no better and ho worse than many another man. I played, I danced attendance, I said soft nothings, but I was tlod to no woman In all Ireland. I was frolic eonio nnd adventurous, but no more. There Is no woman who can say I used her HI or took from her what I did not" "Atone for, Lord Mallow?" "Atone no. What I did not glvo compensation for, was what I wus go ing to say." The situation wus Intense. She was In a place front which there wus no escape except by lllght or refusal. She did not really wish to refuse. Some how, there had come upon her tho dcslro to put all thought of Dyck Oil- liotm out of her mind by making It Impossible for her to think of him; and marriage was the one sure and complete way marrlagu with this man, wan It possible? Her heart was for tho moment soft to Lord Mallow, In spite of his hatred of Dyck Cal houn. Tho governor was a man of charm lit conversation. Ho was born with rare faculties. Besides, he had a knowledge oi' humanity and of won. en. IU knew nwv women could bo touched. Ho hau uppculed to Slie.'u mow by ublllty than by aught ols.. Ills ouceKSlonn to her were discretion tii t way. Thoy opened tho route to ber ffcctlon, us Ins p",co and title ' roulu ot do. "No, un, no, bfllove nit, Sheila, I was n Minn who had too muny tempta tion's that wus ull. Hut I did not spoil my life by them, and I nm hero a trusted servant or the government, I nm a better governor than your tltst words to mo would mako you seem to think." Her eyes were shining, her fngo was troubled, her tongue was silent. She knew not what to say. Sho felt she could not say yes yet sho wanted to es cape from him. Her good fortune did not desert her. Suddenly tho door of tho room opened and her mother en tered. "There Is a member of your suite Aero, your honor, asking for you. It (s of most gravo Importance. It Is urgent. What I shall aajT' "Say nothing. I am coming," said l.o goverfcjr, '1 ia co.alatf now I f'tif J 1 www vivi't&trvwr v-" - SEATWA" k i 11 . i ij"w .: ' i a 1 twp rbftztf. I COPYRIGHT 15 rkbke; MGHTiy r- rn iiTi If ur VYiy r S1,R.G1L.BER.T PARKER J CHAPTER XVII Out of the Hands of the Philistines. That night the Mnroons broke loosi upon Jamaica, and began murder nnd depredation agnlnst which tho gover nor's activities were no check. Estates wero Invaded, and men, women and children killed, or carried Into the mountains nnd held as hostages. In the middle and western part of tho Island the ruinous movements went on without being stayed; planters and people generally railed at tho gover nor, nnd said that through Ills neglect these dark things were happening. It was said ho had failed to punish of fenses by the Maroons, nnd this had given them confidence, filling them with contempt and disdain. They had one ndvantngo not possessed by tho government trdops and militia they were masters of every square rod of land In tho middle and west of the island. Their plan was to raid, to am bush, to kill without mercy and to excite the slaves to rebel. The first assault and repulse took place not far from Ennlsklllen, Dyck Calhoun's plantation, and Michael Clones captured a Maroon who was slightly wounded. MIchnel challenged him thus : "Come now, my bllthcrln' friend, tell us what's your trouble why are you rlsln'? AVhat's your grievance? You don't do this without cuusc what's the cause?" The black mnn, naked except for a cloth about his loins, nnd with a small bag at his hip, slung from a cord over his shoulder, showed his teeth In a stork grimace. "You're a newcomer here, mnssa,. or you'd know we're treated bad," ho an swered. "We're robbed and trod on and there's no good word kept with us. AVo asked the governor for more land and he moved us off. So we rose, uiassa, and wo'll mako Jamaica sick beforo wo've ,done. TJiey can't con quon us, for we can hide nnd ambush here, and shoot those that come after us. We hide, one behind this rock nnd ono behind thnt, never more than two or three together, nnd we're safe. You'll see; we'll capture captains and generals, and wo'll cut their heads off and bury them In their own guts." Ho made an ugly grimace, and a loathsome gesture, and Michael Clones felt tho man ought to die. Ho half drew his sword, hut, thinking better of It, ho took tho Mnroon to the castlo and locked him up In n slnve's hut, having first bound him nnd put him In the chargo of ono ho could trust. But us he put the man away, he said: "You talk of your peoplo being able to hldo and men not being able to find you; but did you never hear of bloodhounds that can smell you and hunt you down, nnd chew you up? Did you never hear of them?" Tho man's face wrinkled like a rag, for there was ono thing the native Qovernor fears more than nil elso nud that Is he tooth of the hound. Hut he gath ered courngo nnd said: "The gov ernor has no hounds. There ain't nono In Jamaica wo know dat all ot us know dat all of us know dat, niassa." , Michael Clones Inughcd, and It Was not pleasant t- hear. "It may be tho ir.venior ban not bloodhounds, and- would not coiWnt to their being brought Into the Islaud, but my master i Is bringing in hound himself a lot with their drivers fiVn Cuba, and your Maroon? will ha sjll thoy can In to hide." "The hounds not bore m do Island, massal" declared the Maroon qucs tloulngly, "Mebbo n'ot, Sambo, but they'll bo here within the ucxt few hours, ncl then where will you aud yonr paU Has No Hounds." be? You'll be caught between sharp teeth nice, red, sharp, bloody teeth; nnd you'll make good steak better than your best olio, my Sambo." The native gavo a moan It wns the lament of one whose crime wns come tete-a-tete with Its own punishment. "That's the game to play," said Michael to himself as he fastened the door tight on the man. "Tho hounds will settlo this fool-rcbelllon quicker than aught else. Mr. Calhoun's a wise mnn, and he ought to be governor here. Criminal? As much as the angel Gnbrlell He must put down this rebellion no wnn else can. They're stronger, the Mnroons, than ever they've been. They've planned this with skill, and they'll need a lot of handlln'. We're safe enough here, but down there at Salem well, they may be caught In the bloody net, for this thing Is a dirty, black business. Bedad, that's sure." A few moments afterward he met Dyck Calhoun. "MIchnel," said Dyck, "things are safe enough here, but we've prepared 1 The overseers, bookkeepers and driv ers are loyal enough. But there ore others not so safe or well prepared. I'm going to Salem riding as hard as I can, with six of our best men. Darius Boland is a good man, but he's only had Virginian experience, nnd this is different. A hundred Mnroons are as good as a thousand white sol diers In the way tho Maroons fight There are a thousand of them, nnd they can lny waste this Island, If they get going. So I propose to stop them. The hounds are only Just outside the hnrbor, Michael. The ship Vincent, bringing them, wns sighted by a sloop two days ngo, making slowly for Kingston. She should be here before we've time to turn round. Michael, the game Is In our hands, If we piny It well.' Do you go down to Kingston nnd" He detailed what Michael was to do on landing the hounds, and laid out plans for the Immediate future. "They're In danger nt Salem, Mi chael, so we must help them one way or another. I think the hounds will settle this whole wretched business, though. The governor can't refuse their landing now. The peoplo would kill him If he did. It wns I proposed It nil." "Look, sir who's thnt?" nsked Mi chael, ns they saw a figure riding un der tho palms not fnr away. It was very early morning, nnd the light was dim yet, but there wns sufll clent to mnko even fnr sight easy. Dyck shaded his forehead with his IlJilld. "It's not one of our people, Michael. It's n stranger." As the rider enme on Ue was stopped by two of tho drivers of tho estate. Dyck and MIchnel saw him hold up a letter, and a moment later he was on his way to Dyck, galloping hard. Arrived, he dropped to tho ground and saluted Dyck. "A letter from Salem, sir," ho said, and handed It over to- Dyck. Dyck nodded, broke the seal of the letter and rend It quickly. Then he nodded ngnlri nnd bade the man eat a hearty breakfast and return with him on one of tho Ennlsklllen horses, as his own would be exhausted. "Wo'ro going down to help protect Salem, my man," said Dyck. The man grinned. "That's good," ho nnswered. "Thoy knew naught of tho rising when I left. But the gov ernor was thero yesterday, and he'd protect us." "Nonsense, follow, tho governor would go straight to Spanish Town where ho belongs, when 'there is trouble. That much he knows of his duty, I'll say." When tho man had gone, Dyck turned to his servant "Michael," he said, "the news In the letter came from Dnrlus Boland. He says the governor told him he had orders from England to confine mo here at En nlsklllen, and ho meant to do it Well, wo'll sea hQw ho does It If he sends his marshals to me, we'll make Gadareno swine ql them." There was a smile at his lips, hut It was contemptuous, nnd the lines of his forehend told of resolve. "Mi chael," he added, "wo'll hunt Lord Mallow with the hounds of our good fortune, for.thls war Is our war. They can't win It without me, and they shan't Without tho hounds it may bo n two years' war "with the hounds It can't go beyond a week or so." "If tho hounds get here, sir I But If they don't?" Dyck Inld his hand upon the sword nt his side. "If they don't get here, Michael, still tho war will ho ours, for wo understand lighting, and how to do It, and the governor does not. Con fine mo here, will he? Well, If he docs, he'll be a better man than I huvo over known him, Michael. No, he'll not confine me here. In a few hours I shall be at Salem, to do what he could not do, and would not If he could. His love Is hs deep ns water on a roof; no deeper. He'll think first of himself, nnd afterward of the own er of Salem or any other." Some hours later Dyck Calhoun, with his six horsemen, was within a mile or so of Salem. Thoy had ridden hurd in the heat and were tired, but thoro was high spirit In tho men, for they were behind a trusted lender, as they knew full well a man who ate little, hut who did not disdain a bottle of Madeira or n glass of brandy, and who mado good every step of the way ho went wntchful, nlert, careful, de termined. Thoy trusted him and they cared Utile what his past had been. Somehow, In spite of tho criminal record with which Dyck Calhoun's life was stained, they had a respect for him they did not have for Lord Mal low. Dyck'a life la Jnuialca was clean ; nnd his progress tre h planter had been free from black spots. He oven kept ut mistress, and uoue hud ever known him tojiave to do with women, black, brown or white. He hnd never gone n-Mnylng, ns the saying wns, and his only weakness or fault If It was a fault was a fondness for the bottle of good wine, which was ever open on his table, nnd for tobacco In tho smoking leaf. Todoy he smoked Incessantly and carefully. He throw no loose' ends of burning tobacco from cigar or pipe Into tho loose dry leaves and stiff-cut ground. Yet they knew the small clouds that floated away from his head did not check his observation. That was proved beyond peradventure when they were within sight of the homestead of Salem on nn upland well wooded. It was in apparently happy circumstances, for they could see no. commotion about the homestead; they saw men with muskets, evidently keep ing guard yet too openly keeping guard, as they nil thought, and so somo said to each other. Presently Dyck reined In his horse, and stretched out a hand to detain them. Each man listened attentively nnd watched the wood ahead of them, for It was clear Dyck suspected dan ger there. For a moment there seemed doubt In Dyck's mind whnt to do, but when It' wns up he hud decided. "Ride slow for Salem," he said. "It's Maroons there in the bush. They nre waiting for night. They won't nttnek us now. They're In ambush of that I'm sure. If they want to capture Sa lem, they'll not give alarm by firing on Man's Heart Beat Kaster. us, so If we ride on they'll think we haven't sensed them. If they do at tack us, we'll know they aro In good numbers, for they'll be facing us ns well ns the garrison of Salem. But keep your muskets ready. Have a drink," he added, and handed round his horn of liquor. "If they see us drink, nnd they will, they'll think we've only stopped to refresh, and wo'll be safe. In any case, if they at tack, fire your muskets at them and ride like the devil. Don't dismount and don't try to find them in the rocks. It's a poor game fighting hid den men. You see, I wnnt to get them Into tho open below, nnd that's whore they'll be before we're many hours older." With this he rode on slightly ahead, and presently put his horse nt a gen tle ennter which he did not Increase as they nenred the place where tho black men ambushed. Every man of the group behaved well. None showed nervousness, even when one of the horses, conscious of hidden Maroons in the wood, gave a snort nnd made a sharp movement out of the track In an attempt to get greater speed. That was only for an Instant, how ever. Yet every man's heart beat faster as they came to the place where evidently the ambush tvos. Indeed, Dyck saw a hush move, and had a swift glimpse of a black, hideous face, which quickly disappeared, however. After they had passed the spot of dan ger thero wns a cry almost from the lips of all save Dyck; but 'his Imper turbable coolness kept them steady. They even gossiped of idle things loud enough for the hidden Mnroons to hear. Though every heart beat harder, no face showed suspicion or alarm, as they passed, while all felt the presence of many men In the underbrush. Dyck talked to them presently without turn ing round, for to do that might have roused suspicion, nnd wnlle they were out of danger now, there was tho fu ture and Dyck's plan, which he now unfolded. "They'll come' down Into tho open before It's dark," ho aid quietly, "and when they do that, ww'll have 'em. They've no chance to ambush In the cane-fields now. We'll get them In the open nnd wipe them out. Don't look round. Keep steady, and wo'll ride a little moro quickly soon." A little Inter they cantered gently to the front door of tho Salem home steud. The first face they saw there was that of Durlus Boland. It had a look of trouble. Dyck explained: "We thought you might not have heard ot the rise of the Maroons. We have no ladles nt Ennlsklllen. We prrpna'd for the revolt, mid we're Rnfe enough there, as things nre. Your ladles must go at once to Spanish Town, unless " "Unless they stay here I Well, they would not be unwise, for though the slaves under the old management might have Joined the Mnroons, they will not do so now. We have got them that fnr. But, Mr. Calhoun, the ladles aren't here. They rode nwuy Into the hills this morning, and they've not come back. I wus Just aboat sending u search party for them." "In what direction did they go?" nsked -Dyck with anxiety, thtugb ils tone wm en Every Dnrlus Boland pointed. "They went slightly northwest, nnd If they go ns I think they meant to do, thoy would come back the way you came In." "They were armed?" Dyck nsked sharply, for thought of tho ladles ar riving by the route ho came by made him fearful. "Yes, they wero armed," was tho re ply. "Miss Llyn had a small pistol. Sho learned to carry ono in Virginia nnd she has done' so over slnco we enmo here." "Listen, Bolnnd," said Dyck, with some nlarm. "Up thero in tho hills by which wo cnino are Maroons hidden, and they will Invnde this place tonight. We were rendy to fight them, of course, as we came, but It's a risky business, nnd we wnnted to get them all If possible. It wouldn't have been possible If we had charged them there, for they were well ambushed. My Idea wns to let them get Into the open be tween there nnd here, nnd catch them as they came. It would save our own men, nnd it would probably do for them. If Mrs. and Miss Llyn come back that wny, they will be In much greater danger thnn wo were, for the Maroons were coming here to capture the Indies and hold them as hostages ; and they would not let them pass, as they did us. In any case, the risk is immense. Tho ladles must bo got to Spanish Town, for the Mnroons nre desperate. They have placed their men In every part of the middle and west ern country, with orders whnt to do, nnd they came upon my plnco Inst evening nnd were defeated. Several were killed and one taken prisoner. The trouble is they enn't be inarched upon like nn army. Their powers of ambush aro too great. Tiey must bo run down by bloodhounds. It's the only wny." "Bloodhounds there aro no blood hounds herel" said Darius Boland. "And If there were, wouldn't pious England make a fuss?" Dyck Calhoun was about to speak sharply, but he caught a glint of sarcasm in Darius Boland's fnce, and ho said: "I have the bloodhounds. They're outside the harbor now, and as soon as they're landed I Intend to use them." "If the governor allows youl" re: marked Darius Boland sarcastically. "He does not like you or your blood hounds. He has his orders, so he says." Dyck made an Impatient gesture. "I will not submit to his order. I hnve earned my place In this Island, nnd I will see ho does not have his way. . . . But we must wait no longer. The ladles must be brought to Spanish Town, and placed where the gover nor's men can protect them." Darius Boland bowed. "What you say goes always," he remarked, "but tell me, sir, who will tako the ladies to Spanish Town?" Dyck Calhoun frowned. He read tho inner meaning of Darius Boland's words. They did not put him out of self-control, however. It was not a time to dwell on such things. It was his primary duty to save the ladles. "Come, Boland," ft said sharply. "I shall start now. "Wherever the ladles are, we must find them. Wlmt sort of a country Is It through which they pass over there?" He pointed. "Bad enough In some ways. There's an old monastery of the days of the Spanlnrds up there" he pointed "or the ruins of one, and It Is a pleasant place to rest. I doubt not they rested there, If" "If they reached Itl" remarked Dyck with crisp Inflection. "Yes, they would rest there and It would be a good place for ambush for the Maroons, eh? It's a d nable predica ment no, you must not come with met You must keep coramnnd here." He hastily described the course to be followed by those of his own men who remained to defend, and then snld : "Our horses are fagged. 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, nnd loan you three of tho best. We'll fill our knapsacks and get away, Bolnnd." A few moments later, Dyck Calhoun nnd his three companions, with n guide added by Boland, had started away up the road which had been ridden by Mrs. Llyn nnd Sheila. One thing was clear, the Maroons on the hill did not know 'of the nbsence of Sheila and her mother, or they would not be wait ing. He did not like the long absence offtho Indies. It wns ominous at such a time. Dyck nnd his smnll escort got away by a road unseen from where the Maroons were, and when well away put their horses to a canter and got into the hills. Once In the woods, how over, they rode nlertYy. and Dyck's eyes were everywhere. He was quick to see a bush move, to observe the flick of a branch, to catch tlft faintest sound of an animal origin. He wns obsessed with anxiety, for he had a dark fear that some 111 had happened to tho two. His blood almost dried In his veins when ho thought of the fato which had followed the capture of ladles In other Islands like Haiti or Grenada. His roul revolted at It. It did not iwe'u possible that these beautiful nnd tl-oted women should hnve fallen Into xtn outrageous hands of savages. Ho vflxed his soul with torturing thoughts. Ie knew the girl wns nrmed, and tnit before harm might come to her sH would end her own life nnd , her mother's also; but suppose she was caugat from behind, nnd that the opportunity of suicide should not be hers whai then? Yet he showed no agitation to his followers. His eyes were, However, In tensely busy, nnd every nerve was keen to feel. He had tho intense per ception of n delicate plant, whoso won derful warning can only come to those who live close to nature, wiir. 4od frow fodlaj tho thousand moods nnd tenses of living vegetables and animal life, lie was a born hunt er, and it was not easy to surprise him when every nerve was aching with premonition. Ho saw the marks of the hoofs" of Sheila's nnd her moth er's horses In the road, knowing them by tho freshness of the Indentations. An hour, two hours passed, and they then npproached tho monnsterlnl ruin of which Boland had spoken. Here, suddenly, Dyck dropped to tho ground, for ho saw unmlstnknble slgnB of fright or flurry In tho hoof-marks. Ho quickly mado examination, nnd there wero signs of women's feet nnd nlso n bare native foot, but no signs of struggle or disturbance. The foot prints, both natlvo and white, wero firmly placed, but tho horses' hoof prlnts showed agitation. Erescntly the hoofmarks became more composed ngaln. Suddenly ono of Dyck's sup porters exclaimed he hnd picked up a small piece of ribbon, evidently dropped to guide those who might come searching. i Presently another token wns found' In a loose bit of buckle from n shoe. Then, suddenly, upon the middle of the road was a llttlo pool of blood nnd signs that a body had lain In tho dust. "Sho shot n natlvo here," said Dyck to his companions morosely, yet coolly. "There nre uo signs of a struggle,", remarked the most observant. "Well, we must go carefully here, for they may havo been Imprisoned lu tho ruin. You stay here, and I'll go forward," ho added, with a hand on his sword. "I've got nn Idea they'ro here. Wo havo one chance, my lads, and let's keep our heads. If anything should happen tq, me, have n try your selves, and see what you can do. The ladles must be freed, If they're there. There's not one of you that won't stnnd by to the Inst, but I want your oath upon It. By the heads or graves of your mothers, lads, you'U see It through l Up with your hands I" Their hands went up. "By our mothers' heads or graves I" they said In low tones. "Good I" he ' replied. "I'll go on ahead. If you hear a call, or a shot fired, come forward swiftly." An Instant Inter 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 ho stole carefully yet quickly forward. He was anxious there should be no delay, but he was equally anxious not to he rash. At last, without meet ing anyone, ho came near 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 appearonce, who laid a hand be hind his ear, and looked steadfastly toward that part of the wood where Dyck was. It was clear he had heard something. Dyck did not know how many Maroons there might be In the ruins, or nenr' It, nnd he did not nt tnek. It wns essential that he find out the strength of his foe ; nnd he re mained quiet Presently the native turned ns though to go back into the ruins, but changed his mind, and be gan to mako n tour of the stony, ruined building. Dyck waited, and presently he saw more natives come from the ruins, "nnd nfter a moment another three. These last were hav ing nn nrgument of some stress, for they pulled Jit each other's arras and legs nnd even cnught at the long cloths of the head-dresses they wore. "They've got the ladies there," thought 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: "I'll muko n try for It now. It 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 ho saw only darkness. Then suddenly he guve a soft call, the call of an Irish bird-note which all people In Ireland In the west nnd south of Ireland know. If ShelJn wns nllvo and In the place she would answer It, ho was sure. He waited a moment, and there was no answer. Then ha called again, nnd In nn Instant, ns though from a great distance, there came the reply of the same note, clearer and more bell-like than his own. "She's there 1" ho said, and boldly entered the plnce. It was dark and damp, but ahead was a break In the solid monotony of mined wall, nnd he saw n clear stream of light beyond. He stole ahead, got over the stone obstructions, nnd enmo on to n biggish room which once had been a refectory. Looking round it he saw three doors one evidently Jed Into the kitchen, one Into n pantry, nnd one Into a hall. It was clear the women were alone, or some one would have come In answer to his cnll. Who could tell when they would come? There was no time, to be lost. With an Instinct, which proved correct, ho opened the door lending Into the old kitchen, nnd there, tied, and with pale faces, but In no other sense disor dered, were Sheila and her mother, lie put his fingers to his lips, then hnstlly cut them loose from the ropes of bam boo, nnd helped them to their feet. "Can you wnlk?" he whispered to Mrs. Llyn. She nodded assent and braced herself. "Then here," ho said, "Is a pistol. Come quickly. We may have to fight our way out Don't b nfrald to fire, but take good aim first I have some men In the wood beyond where you allot the native," ho added to Sheila. 'They'll come nt onco If I call, or a shot Is fired. Keep your heads, and we shall be all right They're a dangerous crew, but we'll bent them this time, I think. Corae a. quickly no you can." CTO BE CONT1NUKUJ f I- -v 1 -; f