CROSSED THE BRIDGE,

over the Blue Earth river and had escaped toward South Bend. The news

spread like a prairie fire, and in an incredibly short time the streets

were alive with armed men hastening down toward the point at which the

fugitives had broken the line of outposts. Sheriff Dill, who, had retired

but a few minutes to the well-deserved comfortable bed put at his disposal

at the Clifton, was soon up and away with a posse of men. Other leaders

were equally alert, but all mentally, and some physically, too, cursed the

blundering guard, which had permitted itself to be caught napping. Enquiry

soon ascertained the fact that