DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD
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(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
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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
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