Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-09-20
ABDUCTED BY THE BUSH
WHACKERS.
A Story Of the War in
the Southwest.
BY ARKDE o. BALDWIN.
CHAPTER III.
THE SLAVES STOLEN.

y
plantation, he said, in as jolly tone as he
could command. They readily followed
him out of doors, greatly to his surprise
and pleasure, and he tried to entertain them
In such manner as would prevent their
Wishing to return to the house.
They appeared to be more interested in
the slave quarters than anything else on the
present occasion.
As they strolled around, the unwelcome
visitors would criticise the condition and
ask the value of different negroes. They
would rudely grasp the muscles of the arm
to test their strength, and press them in the
ries to note their condition, just as you
have seen butchers do with animals
Two bright. healthy negro women were
very favorably criticised, and the price
asked.
Times are so uncertain that 1 really
could not tell what they would bring in
market, but they are not for sale. We
would not part with them at any price," ex-
claimed John.
After few covetous glances at the two
women they condescended to resume their
travels if the Eddles people would give
them some blankets and cooked provisions
John began distribution of his goods
that day that would shortly have been the
means OF bankrupting him unless he had
changed his tactics.
Anything, except slaves, that could be
sold for gold was parted with, even at
sacrifice, and the money buried in safe
place in the ground "a practice that hun
dreds follow to this day in Arkansas).
By this means he secured some value
TOR goods that would have certainly been
taken by force.
The Eddles ladies were devoutly thankful
that they had got off with their lives, and
when they saw the last one of the treacher-
Gus scoundrels passing down beyond sight
on the Wire Road they were happy. But
that happiness was destined to be Of short
duration, FOR the next morning there was q
terrible commotion in the negro quarters,
and the Eddleses found the two negresses,
sylvia and Nancy, who were coveted by their
yesterday visitors. had disappeared.
We will now leave the Eddleses and fol-
low the strange horsemen who were their
unwelcome visitors the day previous.
After leaving the plantation and follow
ing the road about half mile, they came
to pathway that led them to the left and
which they took, keeping continuous look
backward to be sure they were not followed.
The pathway led downward, and brought
them to the foot of the hill and into mar
row but lonely valley with a clear spring.
stream, large enough TO turn q mill wheel,
running down it, bed. Here they were
met BY another man ON horseback, who
psersd cautiously about and then came
boldly forward.
We have seen this young gentleman be-
fore. He Is the one who received the hard
blow dealt BY Henry Arno at the Eddles
mansion only short time before, and no
less parsonage than Edom woodsley.
Wellf- he inquired. Is he rode up to the
leader Of the gang.
wall. eAieA2T demanded he.
How did you succeed2"
We've looked over Their groun' and got
EN- ali worked MP. but well bring EN-
down. And the unscruplous rascal gurgled
. sort Of laugh.
-btd you zee the ladies7" asked Edom.
We seen the old woman an gal.
shes . burned pretty gal, too" said
yoaaa bush whacksr.
Yeang Woodsley scovled.
What are you going 10 do next7" de-
mAHdsd Woodslsy
~IAks IN thsr niRgsrs.'
what for7-
Ran 'sm ter the river (Arkansas) and
ssn en- Five hundred apiece In it," And
he twisted his eyes around knowingly.
fosng woodslsy. with eli his education
and Pehsh. vss not . whit better than the
He would stoop 10 the meanest act to ac-
eompii.h his desires. Anything that would
sDjuFe NE kddleses and cripple them finan-
clAiis would tend 10 place then in a con-
dstlon 20 be Al his mercy, when he could
bring the haushiy Lillis TO terms. OF course
- 80 loo crafty rascal 10 let 1t be known
hat he wss . party 10 any act Of theft or
violepe< that might take place. and SO,
uh1ls be planned. assisted. and encouraged
DthsFx 10 deeds Of lAwles<ness against those
be had called fisnds. he took particular
pains b psssent them from knowing that
h bad done %. for Il vas not his intention
70 r~nz&,n With these fellows In the brush
nd caves. hat 10 remain at home, and
,boui t1efs. where be could watch the
people Axound him. and thereby the better
'ss'ss he gang With whom be was idsn-
1&ea
h ssx harssnen turned on from the
osd n which tbey nov we're. and. after pass
~ - thsoneh undsrbrush and among trees,
'<zn> - ; szz>i opening. Dismount-
~ they allowed their animals 10 Craze at
M shiis her iounsed around on the grass
= made prcJ@n1son fof the nights work
Whea night - IN yoang Woodslcy took
IL iaex<. hasink made = suitable excuse for |
- rsn<in'nx v'th thea-