Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-03
CANTON MISSISSIPPI, SATURDAY EVENING DECEMBER 1912

you are the youngest you can get IN
horses"
The person thus address seemed t.
, agree to the proposal, for, after yawn
, ing and stretching himself, he went out
and IN few minutes was heard call
ing from without that the horses wer,
ready. .
The road which they pursued was TIT
same alread y taken by WIcklife ant
Blake; and as they had far to go, and j
was late, they struck into brisk trot, Sc
as to pass a dreary portion of it, which
ran through waste and forest before the
night set in. Part of it was sad and solita.
ny enough, shrouded with tall trees, cov-
cred with long weeping moss, trailing
from the branches TO the earth, and. re-
sembling locks blanched by age. Dense
and tangled bushes with giant dead trees,
stretching out their leahess branches over
them, with here and there a solitary
crow, plumingits feathers OH them, crowd
ed up to the very path; and in other
parts there were miles of pines and &C.
dars, shooting up amid sumachs and dwarf
bushes.
They had passed that portion of the
road, which had been here and there emil
vened by farms and orchards. and were
trotting briskley between two green
walls Of swamp and forest-a dreary
spot--when suddenly, sharp, shriIl cry
rose in the air. 1t seemed to proceed from
the wood, short distance in front of
them.
They were both brave men; but their
checks grew white, and they instinctiyely
drew in their horses.
"Was that shout or a scream?" said
Grayson, instinctively turning his heavy
whip in his hand, so to have its loaded han
die ready for blow.
at smacked of both,' replied Walton
"IIark," said old Caleb Grayson, "there it
is gain"
Again the same piercing cry shot thro'
the air, and went echoing through the
woods, until it seemed to die away ina low
wall.
"Ther's foul play there" shouted Wal
ton, and striking.his horse a heavy blow
with his whip, the animal sprang forward
at 4 fall gailop. "There it is again.
BY God! It's some one begging for mer-
cy."
"S'op, Walton" said old Caleb Grayson,
suddenly refining in his horse. "Did you
hear the name?"
"No."
81 did, and it was Harry. Can Harry
Blake be settling scores with that braggart
"God of Heaven! Hope not!'' excaim-
ed Walton. "There was bad blood
enough between them to lead to a dozen
Go it, jack" said he again strik-
ing his horse, "we'II be on them at the next
turn of the road-the bushes hide them
now."
A dozen leaps Of their horses brought
hem round the copse Of trees, which had
shut out sight that made them shudder.
Within twenty yards of them, extended on
lis back on the ground, lay Wickliife,stone
lead. Bending over him was Blake, grasp-
NO a knife, which was driven 10 the haft
n his bosom.
"Good God! Harry Blake taken red
landed in murder!" exclaimed Grayson,
ecing Blake endeavoring to pull the
infe from the wound. "Don't stab him
gain. Oh! Harry, Harry, what have you
one!"
Blake let loose his hold on the knife,
nd started up as they advanced. He
ooked hastily about him; made one or
wo irresoIute steps; but before he could
make up his mind whether TO fly or not
Walton sprang from his horse, and flung
imself upon him. "IIarry Blake, Il charge
on with murder" |,
Blake stared at him. "Me with MUIR
er! Are you mad? Why, | didn't kill
im." 8
''It won't do, Harry; it won't do" said
Walton bitterly, 81 saw you with the knife
] your grasp--in his bosom-and him :
cad. Oh! Harry! This is sad ending |
f this afternoons quarrel"
"Will you hear me?" said Blake ear
estly, sand you, Caleb-you are older G
ian Walton, and less ilnpetuous, listen to
lie. | came here but moment before
Oursef. | heard a person calling for I
clip; and gaIloping up, found WickIiffe
cad, with this knife driven in his heart;
nd was endeavoring TO pull it out when
Gu came up. This is truth, so help me
cd! DON'T you believe me, Caleb?"
Grason shook his head, as he replied
Would that | could, Harry; but as
hope 10 be saved, | saw you stab him, |
d." t
Harry claSped his hands together, as he I
'ked, sand do you intend to swear
thatl and to charge me with this t
sed?" G
"There is no help for it as | see," said c
rayson. "The man is murdered. II YOU /
dn't murder him, who did? Answer me :