The record-union., 1892-07-02

stant there twinkled the light of a flash
lantern few rods back.
Robin leaned down and tested his
bride. Then he adjusted the saddle. and
silently unbuckled his rifle from its place
in front.
Now Dolly" he whispered, leaning
forward, 'Go!"
Away flew the little horse, making her
best time over the soft pine needles at the
roadside. For awhile Robin heard no
other sound than the muffied hoof-beats
of his own pony, and his fears quieted
down somewhat. Probably the light had
come from some fishing camp, he
thought, though in those troubled times
even boy so young as Robin knew that
there was little of such idle sport, and
that already the woods concealed many
fugitive slaves, desperate and reckless
from hunger and exposure.
One mile had passed, two, three, when
there came the sound OF voices again, and
hurrying feet behind him, at the side and
in front and then what seemed to Robin
perfect swarm of dark forms bore down
upon him.
Plump little Dolly was breathing
heavily and foaming at the mouth. Her
strength had given out. There was no
escape-nothing to do but fight. Bang
bang! went the little rifle.
Back, niggas I" shouted q loud voice,
and then a burst of derisive laughter told
Robin how useless all his efforts 10 escape
must be against such number.
"Reck'n yo beta glib in, honey" said
the same voice which had spoken before,
and Robin started at its familiar tone. A
thrill of hope neryed the little fellow to
speak.
Jim! oh, Jim, is that you? was so
frightenedl Marty told me you were
sick, so l came myself for the doctor. Let
me 60 on, Jim. Bess will die if l can't
get there tonight ~
Dress my souPn body ef faint Masr
Robin! A. right, honey, you en- go 'long
fas' YOU legs en- carry yo'. Only we
need Dolly MON you! STAN back da,
niggas, Mas'r Robin amt doin' no HIM"
Big Jim lifted Robin gently to the
ground and stood over him moment, as
the bloodthirsty men would have rushed
upon him.
"Jess ca'am yo'self, honey; dey amt
no use scrappin'."
"But, Jimr' pleaded the little voice,
lit is so far to walk, and Bess is very
sick 90
Jim wavered moment. One of the
lighter negroes had mounted the pony
and was dividing among the starving
men Robins lunch.
With clenched little hands and hot tears
Of rage and despair in his eyes, Robin
stood, every nerve qulverlng and every
sense on the alert.
Suddenly from far away came sound
which struck terror to the very heart of
every man in the group-the deep, pro-
longed baying of bloodhounds.
"Oh, Lawd dey's huntin' us. Run fo'
yo' lives ~ shouted their leader. With
one bound they all disappeared into the
thlcket, Dolly with them, and Robin was
left alone, stupetied and for time unable
to fully realize what had occurred.
Slowly the truth dawned on his mind.
1,ofY n -, e
at least SIX miles more to traverse before
reaching Rome-with desperate peril at
every hand-and with only his short lit
tie legs to carry him and his chubby little
arms to defend him.
All was quiet. Even the hounds had
passed out of hearing on some other
scent, while the dark river flowed tran
GULLY on, and faint silver gleam in the
east showed where the old moon would
soon come up to light him on his way.
Poor little Robin! He had cried in the
afternoon from sorrow and helplessneSs,
but in this greater trouble not a tear could
he shed. In his brave mind there was
but one thing to do-hurry along as fast
as he could. Perhaps it was not to late to
reach there yet, in time to return before
morning.
On he trudged, starting at every sound
and with fast beating heart, but making
steady progress when something hap
pened which stirred his blood and almost
choked him with a sense of sudden hope.
Far up the river he heard the regular
putf-puffand swashing paddles of a steam
packet.
1t must be night boat going up to
Rome for a new cargo. If he could only
signal in some way and be taken aboard
his troubles would be at an end.
Steadily and swiftly upthe stream came
the boat, making fast time with no cargo
and no stops.
Robin ran down the bank, and climb
ing out over the water on low-hanging
branch waited in breathless excitement.
Louder and louder came the sound of
the paddles. Robin listened, in despair
of making himself heard above their
noise and the putting of the engine.
Now came the time to cry. 'Ho! therer'
he called, making trumpet OF his hands,
and hanging on to the branch by his
twisted legs. ION deck, halo-o." Oh,
if they should not hear-if they should go
by and leave him! No; the paddles were
slowing down; the engine had stopped,
and for moment all was still.
who's ashore ?' came trumpeting
through the darkness.
"Robin Lee. Take me aboard" shouted
Robins little voice.
A boat was lowered and came eau
tiously toward the bank.
How many OF you?" asked one of the
men.
"Only me-" answered Robin ungram-
matically from over their heads.
"All right, Come aboard, kid.n And
rowing under the branch one of the men
bent it down, while another caught Robin
and landed him in the bottom of the boat
like little fish.
"Well, youngster, this is a fine time
and place for boys to be hanging about in
the trees like monkeys. Where bound
for, Master Robin Lee? There, there!
you're all right nowm
For Robin, relieved of the suspense
had broken down again and was sobbing
in the mans arms, like any other little
boy of ten.
However, when the men had taken
him aboard the packet and We're steam
ing on again toward Rome they heard
Robins story, and there were few dry
eyes, even among men five times as old
as he.
AS Robin started out for home an hour
or two later with the doctor, that distin-
guished man kept turning to stare at the
beaming, but sleepy little fellow beside
him and finally he said in his gruff way:
Huh, boy, it's q, pity you weren't old
enough to be a soldierl"
Poor Mrs. Lee had been dozen times
to the door, in an agony OF mingled hope
and dread, listening, watching, waiting.
Now it was four o'clock and the gray
light of dawn showed fairly in the east.
Hark! Horses hoofs! The sound of
wheels! Yes-yes! They had turned in
at the gateway. The Doctors voice asked
some questions, and then-oh, joy! That
little voice, ''She has left the light. You
see told her we would come before morn
ing"
The next moment Robin was in his
mothers arms, hugged and kissed and
cried over as though he might have been
a very little boy instead of a great fellow