Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-09-20

across them. Although the travelling was
severe on the animals. it was their only
hope of eluding pursuit Up and down
the hills they continued to urge their jaded
animals, and when evening came they had
reached the divide and were soon ON the
Wire Road again.
When they reached this old family land
mark their hearts throbbed with thankful
ness, and they could barely refrain from
breaking out with wild shouts of joy. They
had come into the road south of the Eddles
plantation. but with their knowledge of the
location they were enabled to take the righs
direction and after another hour of hard
riding the plantation gate was reached. and
the poor, tired darkies hearts nearly burst
with gladness when they again beheld the
big house.
The chatter of their horses feet on the
stones aroused the household, and the ne
groes came from all parts of their quarters,
with fear o. through curiosity. When the
fact that the two missing women had re-
turned became known the slaves seemed
almost beside themselves, and hysterical
pandemonia reigned for time. Even the
white people could hardly contain them
selves, and Lilies eyes were dim from joy
when she saw her old mammies (nurses)
safe at home again.
There had been great CONSERVATION on
the plantation when it was discovered that
the females had disappeared, and every
effort had been made to find some trace of
them by making inquiries along the high
ways, but none could be found, and when
these that had been sent out returned,
gloom settled over the people, for the miss
ing slaves were favorites at the mansion
and in the quarters.
John ordered the tired animals to be
properly cared for, and the returned cap
tives were taken into the dining-room and
given d lunch of the best the house con-
tanned. After they had satisfied. their hun
ger, John had continued questioning them,
but the only additional information gained
was that which proved to certainty that il
was the same gang of rascals who had re-
Gently visited him that had stolen the
slaves. He now began to see the condition
the country was in and the necessity of
doing something; but what could he do to
prevent further deeds of deviltry by the
same, or any other. gang of ruffians?
He at once decided upon one thing, and
that was to keep night watch, SO he called
jeff, one of the most trusty men servants,
and after explaining the danger of uufaith-
fulness and cowardice asked him if he
would willingly act as Waterman during
the remainder OK the night.
Deed will. Marse John. an ii perteck
de hull plantashn. Left um try fer ter
steal Sylvia or any udder niger off dis place
agin and some 'un II drap. Marse John,
where's the gun?
jeff was nearly wild when he heard of
Sylva's disappearance. for she was more
dear to him than anything else in Arkansas,
and if he had known what to have done he
would have tried to rescue her, even if it
had caused "Marse John Vto lose one of
his best hands, and darby funeral.
John brought out the old squirrel rifle
that had often seen service on and about
the plantation, and when he handed the
well-used arm to jeff a broad grin of pleas
ure overspread his countenance, and he
lovingly Rugged it to his breast as he left
the house.
John had but little faith in the darky's
courage, but he knew he could trust him
implicitly.
When the family were left to themselves
they drew closer together and looked in
quiringly from one to the other. John
broke the stiffness.
Mother" said he, I'VE are now without
law. We are almost, if not quite, in state
of anarchy. with all its horrors. When law
Is done away with, brute force takes its
place. You and sister know what you must
expect II you remain here. Times are con-
stantly growing worse, and am afraid it is
now too late for you to succeed in getting
north to friends. You can take sylvia and
jeff with you, and, by keeping off the main
road, you may get through. mast remain,
but you need not.
ave cannot leave you, son. If there is
danger for one we will all share it, )" was the
mothers only reply.
Il had expected we would have trouble,
and, in order to protect my people, my
property, and myself, thought best to pre-
pare for the worst, and"-[here he left
the room, and shortly returning, laid upon
the table, before the astonished ladies', a
handsome breech-loading rifle and two ele-
CANT revolversl -"and so brought these
home with me when came"
20, dear son! pray we may never have
to resort to such means to protect our
selves"
mo one can wish SO more than I, but if
it ever becomes my duty to do so / shall
use these implements and use them freely"
And his face showed great determination.
1t was now evident that the family would
not be separated
Nothing unusual happened during the
night but in the morning jeff brought up
near the door one of the horses that the
negroes had ridden home the evening
previous. He called Johns attention to the
animal, but that gentleman could not see
any peculiarly about it.
dat ar boss belong to young Marse
Woodsley, said jeff showing the marks.
You are right. Jeff: so it does. The ras-
calls have stolen from HIM, too. This ami
NAL must be taken home at once"