Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-12-31
CHAPTER XI.

THROUGH TIE MOUNTAINS AND THE NIGHT
Fortner and Glen were soon so far away
from the ford that the only reminder of its
neighborhood were occasional glimpses,
caught through riffs IN the forest, of the lofty
slope Of Rockcastle Hountain, now outlined
in the gathering darkness by twinkling fires,
which increased in number, and climbed
higher towards the clouds as fast as the fugi-
tives succeeded in struggling across the river.
That's wonderful sight, said Harry, as
they paused on summit to rest and catch
breath at reminds ME OF some of the war
scenes in Scott or the nadr
Hit looks ter me like gineral coon hunt, -"
said Fortner 'on'y over thar hits the coons,
an not the hunters, that hev the torches
Well" continued Former, meditatively, 'Ole
RockaSsel's gittin' a glut tonight She'd
orient ter need no more now fur q hundred
yeahs"
Il don't understand you," said Harry.
why, they say tibet the Rock asset heZ ter
hev a man every spring an fall The Iniins
believed hit, an hits bin so ever sence the
white folks come inter the country Last
spring it war the turn o the Fortner kin to
gin her a man, an she levied on first cousin
jog on; we've got good piece fur ter CO."
1t was now night-black and starless, and
the dense woods through which they were
travelling made the darkness thick and i'm
penetrable. But no check in FORMERS speed
hinted at any ignorance of the course or en-
countering of Obstacles He continued to
stride forward with the same swift, certain
step as in the day time But for Harry, who
could see nothing but his leaders head and
shoulders, and whose every effort was re-
quired to keep these in sight, the journey was
full of painful toll. The relaxation from the
intense strain manifested itself in proportion
as they seemed to recede from the presence of
the enemy, and his spirits tagged continually
At length Fortner slackened his pace, and
began to move with caution.
Are we coming upon the enemy ,again!"
asked Harry, in loud whisper, which had
yet perceptible quaver in it.
No." answered Fortner; 4but we're a-com-
in ter what is every bit an grain ez danger
some Heah's whar the path winds round
Blacksnake cliff, an yell hev ter be ez keer-
full o. your footin ez eff We war treadin' the
slippery ways o sin. The paths no wider'n
hoss's back, an nc better ter walk on. On
the right hand side hits several rods down
ter whar the creeks tearin' long like q mad
dog. Heah hit now, can't YER
For some time the roar of the torrent sweep
ing the gorge had filed Harry's ears
aye want ter walk slow" continued Fort
ner, IAN feel Eeerfuily with yer foot every
time aforc ye sot hit squarly down. Keep
yer left hand a-feelin' tho rocks above yer,
c0'c or DO CHI oil h.
close ter 'em. Bout half way thar's big
break in the path. Hits jess one step acrost
hit. Take one step arter say thet Pm acrost;
then feel keerfully with yer left foot fur the
aidge o the break, an then step out ez long
ez ye kin with yer right. That'n bring 70
over. Be shore O. yer feet, an yell be all
right"
Harry trembled more than at any time be-
fore They were already OH the path around
the steep cliff The darkness was inky. The
roar of the waters below rose loudly-angriIy.
The walls Of the wildcats behind, overhead
and in front of them, made it seem as IL the
signing pines and cedars were inhabited with
lost spirits shrieking warnings of impending
disaster
Harry's foot came down upon bowlder
which turned under his weight. He regained
his balance with start, but the stone top
pied over. He listened. There were scores
of heart beats before it splashed in the water
below.
"Not so much as twig between here and
eternity" he said to himself, with a shudder.
Then aloud: Cant we stay here, some
place, and not 60 along there to-nightp
The roar of the water drowned his voice
before it reached Fortner's ears, and Harry,
obeying the instinct to accept leadership, fol-
lowed the mountaineer tremblingly.
In a little while he felt-more than saw
Fortner stop, adjust his feet, and make a
long stride forward with one of them. Glen
himself for the same effort. He had
need Of all his resolution, for the many mar