Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-17
The animals plunged forwdrd Wih a
NlLRlCn icrh

"You forget that you assaulted me
first" replied Dan. inwardly pleased at
the turn the conversation had taken. II
was only acting in self defense"
That's your part Of the story" re.
piled Suags: but we won't discuss the
matter. You will find out what is to be-
done with you later on
Dan remained silent. His only object
in discussing the matter had been to
lead his auditors to believe thai he was
ignorant of the real cause of his abduc.
ton.
What would be done with him and
wh2re We're they taking him to were
the questions that now presented them.
selves to Dams mind. That he would
be returned to the cabin in the woods he
had little doubt. and there be kept as IA
prisoner on some pretcXt till the plans
of the scheulers could be carried out.
As Dan had rightly surmised, it was
the intention Of his abductors to take
him to the cabin in the woods from
which he had escaped the day before.
What disposition would be made OF him
then remained to be decided upon.
Seated upon the drivers seat of tho
carriage, Mortimer Dill urged the horses
forward at Il brisk trot. After nearly
two hours travel the vehicle wis drawn
up on the bank Of DryWoOd creek.
Owing to the recent rains the stream
wis greatly swollen and patches of
drttWuUd were running swiftly with the
muddy current.
As Dill stopped the team ut the edge
of the stream, Aaron SuggS stuck his
head out Of the window ana asked:
WHATS up:'
THE creek" replied Dill. 'Do you
think 1t is safe to attempt to cross it:'
at looks rather swollen, but think
we can get over all right"
Here goes, then" said Dill, starting
the team slowly down the bank
"Steady, now" he cried AZ the horses
reached the stream and began to show
signs of being frightened. Bat the AMI
mails plangcd forward with such II
sudden jerk that the inmates of tho
vehicle were almost thrown from their
seats. The next Instant the fuamiug
waters were sweeping about the car
riaSe. threatening to invaGe the place
occupied by the passengers.
STEADY, steady cried Dtll, Juggling
AZ the lines. while the excited team toro
through the stream. splashi!lg the water
high il the air.
They mad almost reached the middle
of the stream when Su5gs, VINO had been
looking ont Of the window, uttered an
exclamation of alarm.
Quick. Dick" he cried, pointing up
the stream. "Wo must get out of this
or we'll he wreckelr
Dill cast startled glance in tho direc-
ton indicated and saw hinge mass Of
logs ami driftwooI approaching swiftly
on the current. He attempted to urge
the horses forward, but they only grew
more frightened, and making sudden
plunge forward broke the traces. In
an instant Dill leaped into the water.
still holding the lines. Suggs quickly
followed his example. while the woman
chung tn him. utterng screams of terror.
QuIcSiy he made h:s way through the
water, which almost swept nliu from his
feet; ana with the frightened woman
cllnSing to his arm he soon reached
Dllls side. Their movement forward
VIZ. not an instant too soon, for at that
very moment the mass of logs that had
been approaching suddenly struck the
carriage with great crash. There WAS
sound Of breaking timbers and a cry
If terror from Dan: then the spintered
and broken vehicle was swept under and
carried away with the roaring food.