The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-30
CHAPTER VII.


THE BRU1TLEss SEARCH.
sThis things got to be looked into at
once" said Hank Dawson.
His face was stern. The men nearest
him, and who lived near at hand, who
were not compelled to accompany their
lady friends or relatives home, volun-
teered to assist him in clearing up what
promised to be the greatest sensation in
the county.
They stood looking at the horse, which
moved his head back and forward In 8
restless manner.
"Dad, this horse has been abused"
1t was Clubs voice.
"See-here are marks. You can see
them. And you can feel the Jumps on
him. Some brute has kicked or beat
him. 'Tain't likely as Dan Bash would
ever do that"
@No. / never seen man who was
kinder with all animals" said Hank,
quickly. you're right, Club. Here,
gentlemen, you can see and feel Tor your
selves" -
The crowd examined the horse care
fully. There was just enough light left
to see the marks.
"It's dern shame" said Eli Potts, the
landlord OF the tavern at the Corners,
who was always on hand at wedding
or funeral, zoos they brought folks to-
gether." a.
Els opinion was heartily indorsed by
the crowd.
The horse was quivering with excite
ment He put his nose in Chub's hand
eagerly. A human being craving sym
pathy couldn't have expressed himself
plainer than Dan Bash's horse. And yet
Dan had only had the animal two weeks.
To be sure, he had borrowed the loan OF
the beautiful gray; he knew its temper
and disposition, but he had not invested
in the gray until he was sure OF the
school, Then he purchased the horse as
an investment He had said to the
blacksmith and his affianced that he
would double his money on the young
gray.
Don't cry, Chub," said her father, as
she suddenly gave wsy to her tears when
the women were all gone and she was
hanging over Dams horse.
u was just thinking. He built so much
ON this horse, dad"
ayes, he did. And mighty good
Judge OF horses Dan was"
"Don't say was, father, don't"
~ mean is Who knows but he's all
right"
"Well, we must 60 and see," said Club.
"Who'n 60 to where he put up? We'd
best divide-there's no telling which way
he come"
That's fact"
The men whispered. Half Of the force
that volunteered to search for the rider
of the horse were in their saddles now.
A man with forethought rare brought
Clubs horse to her side, ready for her to
mount. Another brought Hank Daw-
sons.
"This is an ugly business, I'm afeared."
said Hank Dawson as he mounted his
big roam. good traveller.
"Father, II the crowd will go to Dams
house, and if they don't find any word OF
him, divide and 60 round by the bottom
of the big road. I'll take lot with me,
and We'll scatter among the big pines.
That's the way to cover the most ground
at once And whoever finds him will
take him to the nearest place-here, or
back to his stopping place"
All agreed that Chub's suggestion was
timely, the very best thing that could be
done.
The crowd separated Immediately, af-
ter providing themselves with material
to strike lights; AND prosecute The search
thoroughly in the forest.
The search was conducted with vigor
and spirit. Four different parties pushed
in different directions toward the house
where Dan Bash had made his home.
They cried aloud at intervals, listen
{la$
They peered into underground, fired
pistols, crossed and recrossed rarely
travelled paths, but no sign did they dis
cover of the missing bridegroom.
An hour later gloomy crowd assem-
bled at the house where Dan had made
his home since he assumed charge OF the
school.
The men talked 10 low tones; each
had his own idea, but they did not speak
out boldly. The first man to express
himself clearly and boldly was Hank
Dawson.
aGentlemen, it looks like wastin' time
to look further. Of course, I'm goin' to
look on the road home again. Any one
that wants to can 60 with me. / don't
expect any one, tho. Seems lost time. "
Half dozen volunteered on the in
slant.
Thanks, gentlemen. I'm obleeged
t ye It's powerful sight O. trouble
but one good turn deserves another.
You all know you can count on mo.
Club"
"Well, father?"
In was remarkable th1ng-svcry ono
remarked it-that Club never said
sfathcr" save when she was in very
sober vein. sDad" was her favorite ex-
preston.
sI guess we'd best 60 home again..
mo, father; I'm not going home until
I find DAN"
"Sho, Club"
II can't, father"
"Why?"
"I tell you I can't, father Hes some
where nigh"
awe don't know lothin' about that
Club"
ale has been followed or overpow-
cred, and l think know who did IT.
But I must find him. Dead or alive,
must find him"
| "Well, well, we'll"
"You can 90 on round the cliffs, father;
some of Us will hunt through the big
woods, wherever we think he might
be hid"
ats all nonsense, Club; but it's just
as you like. I'm going to do just as you
like now, I'll hunt till daylight-1'll
hunt all week if you say Sc"
81 do, do, father"
"Why, of course-why shouldn't do
ANYTHING YOU ask me to? Besides,