The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-08-25

most wild with alarm, for fear all the
missing ones will be killed.
It'll wager my life that we'll never
see that pretty little Lima again.
IF she cannot be found before mid
night all is lost
DO you think 500"
yes, am sure"
"And why?"
Because she is in the power of
| Swarthy jim, one of the most desper
| ate characters that ever breathed the
breath of life"
"Do you actually think she is in his
| power?"
"Most assuredly do"
"Why 500"
For very good reasons, and more
| than two"
Johnny then told the Sheriff about
Jim trying to steal the papers, and how
he had thwarted him and secured them
himself.
"What! Jones, you do not mean to
say that you have killed him, too?'
"No, hut now | wish | had"
"Why?"
Because he will carry off or kill the
girl"
But how did he get the papers with
out Mrs Rice's knowledge?"
Every easily. She ventured out to
the woods in search of her husband and
Lima, but was knocked senseless-yes,
| by jove, right on this very spot, too"
They had just entered the woods, on
the other side of the creek
"Ah, ha! See, [ am right, Williams,
for here is Mrs. Rice's handkerchief
ha-hold; no there is a name Let's
see-no, only initials IS. f. NJ All,
yes, there is another clew to this great
mystery"
What, Do you really think it be-
longs to Swarthy Jim?"
81 know it does"
"Well, this whole affair does seem
very strange, indeed. But come, Jones,
we must hurry or we will not find the
prisoners tonight"
(Which way do we go? Down
stream"
eyes. And if there is one word
spoken, or the least noise made, our
game is gone. Follow me-"
The party walked on for some dis
lance in perfect silence.
Hist JONES'" said Williams, "see ?"
Directly In front of them, but some
distance off, could be seen faint light.
They all knew the meaning of that
| light, and about where it was. Every
man silently examined his weapons
By this time it had grown quite dark
in the woods only a few twinkling
stars could be seen high above the lofty
| tree-tops.
They had had no guide to the place
where the prisoners We're, but now that
the light appeared they soon found it.
Zones, there are probably half a
dozen of the villains in the cabin. Are
you well armed?"
Eyes"
"Well, we'll close in on them now
but first, let us see whether there isn't
two or three on duty?"
"All right, William; while you and
the other boys look round for spies, as
| am so anxious to see my father, I will
steal round to the cabin and see how
matters stand
IF I am in danger I will fire; if not,
/ will return to you and report"
'All right, but be very careful, my
boy, or they will catch you Also"
III see, sir, that | am not caught F."
And he disappeared.
With the cunning and caution of an
Indian Johnny crept along under bushes
and over logs until he came to small
open space.
Before him was a small, square build
ing. From the outside it looked like
an old deserted log hut, while the flick
ering, dim light that shone from the
little square hole in the wall might
have, to superstltious persons, appear
ed as If caused by some returned spirit.
The inner wall of this strange build
ing was stone, and it consisted of two
rooms.
There was but one entrance to this
building, and that was now safely barred
by heavy door, securely fastened With
large iron bolts.
The room in which the prisoners were
bound was about hall the size of the
building, and the floor was fully two
feet lower than that of the other room
heavy stone wall separated the two
while the door to that awful dark
damp prison was formed of heavy bars
of iron.
From the door Johnny could hear nc
noise within. He quietly listened al
the little square window in the wall
He could now plainly hear two male
voices within, but neither was Swarthy
Jim's.
odd you say that Syl was shot il
the arm by some in ambush ?"
yes"
where was he, and who did it?n
"You see, he was trying to get those
papers from the old farm house, but il
seems that he was watched, and as he
came out of the house some one shot
him IN the right arm. OF course he
was compelled to drop the papers, but
says he will have them yet, for that
pretty little girl won't be of any use to
him without them"
Does he know who shot him"
Not positively, but thinks it's the
old man Jones oldest son.
"Syl said he did not have the time
now to attend to the young gent. but
that | should come over and finish NJ
his father tonight. One less, you
know"
And that is what you came ovel
here tonight for, is it q
Eyes"
We'll, all three Of them are back in
the other room.
While the conversation was going on
on the inside. John was close crouched
up by the window on the outside, lis
tening with pale, parted lips and his
eyes flashed fire.
Yes; You are two fine fellows in
there, but we are six, and you will soon
be stiff in death like the other two OF
your pards. This little pistol carries
true.
John steppeda foot or two back from
the window, and, just as the party on
the inside rose, with knife in hand. to
go into the prisoners room to kill his
father, John fired, and a heavy fall was
heard on the inside Instantly the dim
light was extinguished, and no sound
could be heard, except the groans of
the diving man