The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-07
CHATTER XV.

pumps. The wagon descended into a stream, and while the horses were drink ing, distinctly heard the following:
 How much farther is it, Brown?"
 |" A bout two miles"
 " It is rather lucky that you learned oi the place?'
 Yes, very much so, and it's lucky that got horse and rode on ahead, for the old fellow was just on the eve of leaving home to be gone several days.
 So he built the place to accommo- date crazy son, eh2'
 Yes, and the son stayed in it until he died. The old fellow assures me that my brother cannot escape"
 You have to pay him pretty well, don't youP"
 "Oh, not very much. He lives in a fearfully out-otthe-way place and to him few dollars per month are godsend." :"
 Again we bumped along. "This is no time for raving." unused. "The more quietly submit the better will be my chances of escape. If my keeper is the right sort of man, can soon convince hlm of Browns hellish deception"
 A dull, gray morning broke. could see that the country was wild and knew full well that it was rugged A murky sun had begun to shine through yellow vapors when we drew up in front of a large log house.
 Good morning. MT. Hicks" said Brown as he got out of the wagon.
 Good morning, sir. Good morning gentlemen. You've got him here all right, have you ?"
 "Yes," said Brown, "but fear that he is little worse for the ride. Let us lift him out. Poor fellow, the rope has cut his flesh"
 Bring him this way" said the man, who was evidently to become my keeper. Without remonstrance l suffered myself to be taken through gate, around house and then into stone room, as strong as fortress.
 "Well, goodbye, Mir. Kicks," said Brown. {" think he will be safe enough with you"
 "Oh, think so."
 When Brown and his party had gone, said to my keeper who stood looking through the grated door.
 wish, sir, you would remove these ropes"
 "Yes, was jes' thinkin' how to git 'em off"
 "Come in and take them off,"
 |" I could do that, but you mout hop on me-"
 Nonsense. What good would that do ?"
 Wouldn't do but mighty little, can tell you, but you ain't supposed to know whuther it would or not"
 "l can't stand thisl'
 "l know it's bad, but your brother said the longer kep' you tied the better it would be for me-"
 That's more nonsense"
 "Wall, ain't afeerd O you. l will take of the ropes an if you hop on me I'll give you jolt you never will forgit."
 He came in and took of the cords that were cutting me in frighttul manner. He had locked the door behind him, and knew that to hop on him" would be worse than folly.
 "Now you are all right" said he, slow ly stepping backward toward the door. When he had passed out and az ain se- curely listened the door, he asked:
 Feel like eatin' snackp"
 "Yes, l am as hungry as a wolf"
 "Whatll you have, corn bread or hoe cake2'
 "What is the difference ?"
 Mighty little, but am willin' to give you the benefit O what little thar is."
 "All right, bring me something" He went av ay and soon returned with about as good a breakfast as his house could afford. My room was furnished with table, chair and a small bed. When placed my breakfast on the table and drew up chair, MT. Hicks said:
 "lt is pity for as fine lookin' man as you air to be penned up in place like this. I'll bet you used to be a valuable citizen. l expect that you could split abou. as rany rails in day as the best man in the neighborhood." had to laugh at this absurd compli- ment. don't know why, but there was something about Hicks that amused me. He was rather chunky" with large ears and . broad mouth. "Yes," he continued, "a man like you