kept there, and at one time quite a lot of smallarms. The ordnance sergeant slept in the garrison, his keys in a strong box under his bed, yet thieves had plundered both the magazine and the stables, and hidden their booty underneath the big hay-stack, awaiting opportunity to run it away to some reliable customer in town. That they were members of the garrison was evident from that very fact. Townsfolk would have come with wagons in the first place.

Fifteen minutes at least had he still to wait and suffer, possibly more, if no officer of the guard chanced to inspect right after twelve, or if the corporal should be slow running to ascertain why the twelve-thirty call was not repeated. Fifteen minutes, and already he was enduring torment. Then came sudden hope, -the sound of a swift, light footfall,-then a woman's voice.

"Dan! Danny! where are you? Come home quick, for God's sake. They're hunting for you now."

No answer.

Again the plaintive cry was repeated. A woman's slender form sped swiftly by, turned the corner of the huge stack, and then, as though recoiling at sight of danger, darted back, shuddering, stumbled over his prostrate body, and only with difficulty saved itself from falling. Quick as thought the woman whirled

upon him, one half-stifled, nervous cry escaping from her lips.

"What fool work is

"Sure Dan shouldn't

Who was with him?

"Scully, you beast! Why are you lying there? You are not drunk. The liquor he gave you wouldn't do this. Where's he gone? Answer, I say. Ah-h!" And the cold hands that had seized and shaken him fell away in fright at touch of the gag. Quickly she recovered herself, fumbled in her pocket, found a pair of scissors, and slashed the bands that were strangling him. this?" she whimpered. have gagged you, Scully. Who did it? Answer," she implored, shaking him vehemently. "Get up, Scully, quick! For the love of God find him! They've been to the house already-the guard. Somebody's peached. Somebody Who tied this lariat? It's knotted like— Wait till I get a knife. Lie still, Scully." And away she sped, leaving him to wonder, bound as he was, how he could lie otherwise. She was back in a moment, panting, breathless. She sawed at the thick cordage until it snapped, then stared wildly one instant as the tall figure straightened up, then with a cry of horror started back. "Scully -No! What?-you? Hunter? Oh, blessed saints, have mercy !"

But the instant he was released and had gained his feet, unarmed though he was and half numbed, the tall, athletic soldier sprang

away into the darkness and ran like a deer across the open space and on past the stables towards the stream, shouting as he ran at the full strength of his powerful lungs, "Corporal of the guard, Number 6! Corporal of the

guard, Number 6 !''

Out on the low bank across the narrow stream he could see, outlined against the sky, two dark, shadowy figures go scurrying swiftly by, running from the direction of the old magazine. It stood only a few yards beyond the crest. Again he set up his powerful shout, 'Corporal of the guard, Number 6!" and away off to the northeast, although farther than himself from the guard-house, Duffy on No. 5 at the east gate, sure that something was dreadfully amiss, was repeating the cry. Hardly knowing what he should do if he overtook them, Hunter dashed into the shallow stream, in hopes of reaching the opposite bank and overhauling the marauders, but the broken, slippery ice trapped and threw him again. Down he went splash into the chilling waters; up he scrambled, only to slip and go down a second time; then staggered to his feet, breathless, almost exhausted now; tumbled up the opposite bank; clambered on all-fours to the crest; gazed hurriedly about in search of friend or foe; peered into the darkness to the south and southwest, but the runners had disappeared; then gazed to the east and sprang

to his feet, startled. Not twenty yards away loomed the black bulk of the old brick magazine, and, hissing and sputtering, a fiery serpent seemed dancing in front. It bounded to the door-way, now in the ruddy light dimly seen to be open, disappeared within a little cloud of sulphur smoke, and then the heavens lit up with an awful glare; he felt himself hurled violently backward; for one instant he seemed to see a million stars criss-crossing through the skies; his ears were stunned and deafened by a thunderous roar; the air was filled with flying bricks and beams and sheets of flame that scorched and seared and blinded him. Then something crashed upon his skull, and he toppled over the bank and went plunging down to the icy flood beneath.

N

CHAPTER XI.

OVEMBER had given way to a still more wintry month, and December,

cold, clear, snow-white, and sparkling, chained the streams in icy fetters and spread abroad its fleecy blanket. The holidays were drawing nigh, and garrison children were revelling in hope and whispered rumors of the great times to come. There was to be a Christmastree in the post hall, with presents for all the little ones. Miss Leroy was managing everything, and what Miss Leroy undertook went with a dash. The afternoons now were given up to all manner of sewing and stitching and contriving, dressing dolls and filling cornucopias and parcelling out gifts so that no child should be overlooked or forgotten, but never once did Miss Leroy neglect her morning Bible class, for such it had become, and into the fold were gladly drawn, not only convalescent patients in hospital, but volunteers from barracks and quarters who had no bodily ills, but who rejoiced in souls in need of saving. Ransom had no chaplain in those days, or sectarian piety might have taken alarm at the rapid increase in Miss Leroy's weekday Sunday-school. Two