Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-03

"IIarry Blake" said the old man, az h,
: drew the knife from the wound, "this il
fearful deed, and the punishment i.
equally dreadful. You know that | an
magistrate, and must discharge my du
ty."
Sand will you send me to prison Oh
such charge as this?" repeated Blake bit
tery.
The old man was silent.
"Did you ever know me TO lie, Caleb?'
said he.
"Never, Harry, never!"
Sand do you think I'd lie now?"
81 don't know" replied Grayson, 81 ne
yer before saw you when there was so
great risk hanging over you. Oh! Har-
ry, Harry" continued he, clasping his
hands together and looking at The young
man, with an expression in which terror
and sorrow were strongly blended, ID
had rather met any man than you, here.
1t will make many a sad heart in this
neighborhood. Why did you promise what
Adams asked! or, rather, Why did you
leave us then!'
Blake shook his head, as he answered:
"Caleb, what can say more than have!
Ii repeat what | have Just told you, you
will not believe me. was coming along
this road; heard the screams of this man
galloped to the spot, and found him dead
with knife in his breast. got off my
horse to see what could he done for him,
and was drawing out the knife when
you came. Had you been two MN
utes sooner, and | one minute later,
should have made the same charge a.
gainst you, which you now make against
me.
"But the cry--the words: mercy, mer-
cy, Harry!' He uttered yonr name"
"He did indeed" re Piled Blake, she did,
indeed; heard it myself. But he did moi
say Harry Blake. Harry, you know, is
not an unusual NAME"
at may bet may be-" said Grayson,
"but still we must deliver you up; and
if you are innocent, God grant that
you may prove yourself So; but unless
my ewes deceive me, saw you stab that
man."
'lf that is your belief, God help mel"
said Blake solemnly, ''for you must be
witness against me. If am charged
with murder such fact sworn to would
hang me. But YOU have not even looked
for another murderer than me. He may be
hid somewhere about here. Search in the
bushes and you may find him yet. iii not
stir.'
With strange reliance on the word off
the man, whom they would mott believe,
when he asserted his innocence, they left
him, and commenced a search along the |
road. And there stood the culprit motion,
Iess-making no attempt at escape, and
watching them with an earnestneSs, only
accounted for by the fact that on their
success his life depended. At a short dis
lance from the spot, and in part of the
bank, on the roadside, where Blake sail
he had not been, there was footprint. 1t
was indstinct, but as far as could be
Judged, when compared with Blake's foot,
it conceded in size and form. A little fur
ther on, was another, and also the marks
IF a struggle in the road. Here, too, were
he same footprints; and these, too, in
correspondent with the foot of
Blake.
dts singularly like mine," said Blake,
placing his foot on the track.
sit had ought TO be" said Walton grave.
y; sunless your foot has altered its shlpe,
within the last five minutes"
Blake made no reply to this insinuation,
,ut stopped looking with an expression of {
leep trouble at the footprint. In the
Meantime, the others continued their
earch up and down the road, and in the
'nshes. The marks of the struggle were {
numerous; but there was no trace of {
murderer other than Harry Blake. At
asst they both came out and stood in the
Dad.
"Do you find nothing?" inquired Blake
:
Grayson shook his head, as he said:
81 didn't expect to; but you wished me {
D look, Harry, and had hard durv to !
erform; and so | thought I'd humor YOU
rst. knew it was useless"
'WelI, weIl," said Blake, "everything .
oes sadly against me. You must do your
uty. | am your prisoner.
"But," said he, seeing them moving to J
there the horses were, "what do you in. :
end to do with ttat?" And he pointed to j
he dead body.
"Catch me a-touching it," said Wal i
on. "CalGb choose to pull the knife out h
{ him. wouldn't ha' done it. It's the i
rowner's business, that is. Well send 7
i'm here. Come, Harry. 1t isn't our fault V
but you must come, you know" =
Blake, without further remark, mount S
ID his horse; and waiting until they were l
Ilso on theirs, they rode off in company, 4
aking the direction TO the residence of the i