Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-06-13

and put them on. shielding his face With
bis sunbonnet, for, though be had no
mirror to inspect his features, hs fancisd
they must b streaksd with burnt cork
softened BY water. Then setting ont
toward the Fain plantation hs delib-
Grated what hs should do.
Il was now between eleven and twelve
o'clock-so Mark judged BY the moon
being on the meridian-and be knew
that all the Fains were asleep He
reached the corner Of the yard and was
about TO enter Il when he heard Q clat-
tering Of hoofs behind him. he had
hardly time to vault the fence and crouch
behind It when . troop Of horsemen
crossed the bridge over the creek. They
irew rein on the hither side not hun.
dred yards away from him. Marx heard
Q voice;
"Lieutenant, take ten men and scour
the bank Of the river from this on to the
next creek, where I will make another
Getail."
The lieutenant with his men broke
away from the column, which moved
forward. passing within ffty feet Of
where Mark lay crouching.
Mark was for few moments % com.
pletely overcome By the narowness Of
his escape that he seemed to have no
power to move. II he had been hve
minutes later. his capture would have
been almost certain, for they would likely
have discovered him between the road
and the river. which space they were
evidently intending to scour.
He got up, and getting on the outside
Of the fence walked bsside portion Of
It which led back from the road. design
ing to enter the negro quarters In the
rear. He feared that the dogs were
loose in the yard, and that he would
have trouble with them; he therefore
stole along till he came to the nearest
point to one Of the negro cabins. A dog
sleeping in the moonlight near the
house gave low inoan. Mark paused
moment and listened; then entering
the grounds he walked In STOPPING
posture, keeping one Of the cabins be-
tween him aud the dog. He wanted to
reach the rear door.
Mark felt assured that unless he could
be concealed In some place where search.
ers would not be likely to intrude he
would be lost. He well knew that every
foot Of ground within five or ten miles
Of Chattanooga would be alive with peo-
pie hunting for him. The negro cabins
would not be safe, for no searching
party would respect them. There was
but one chance for him. He must effect
an entrance into the Fsin house, and
that with the knowledge rs TO his true
character Of br' one person-Laurs Fsin.
He reached the negro cabin and
knocked.
"Who dary'
"whar Uncle Dan1 sleepT
"Nex' to de ler."
Mark went as directed and called mp
Uncle Daniel. He heard u movement a.
Of some one getting up, and presently
the old man stood ut the open door.
"Uncle, Tze got message to 20
young mistress"
"Who from
"De po' white man what war hyar las
week wild he little brudder."
"Nice man, dat. Hab he got In trou.
bley'
"Nebber mind dat, uncle. Go in dc
house n wake up Missile Laura"
"Ain't got no key"
"Can't you wake up some one insidey
"Why dom yo' wait till mornenY
"Can't do dat no how. De message
mus be giben ut once"
"Waal." said Daniel Mt last, 81 do what
can TO dat man; he berry fine gentle
man ef he war po' white"
Mark followed the old man to the rear
door of the basement. On the way
huge dog bounded at them. but seeing
Daniel his ferceness ended In play.
Daniel succeeded in waking negro
woman who slept within; the door was
opened, and they stepped inside.
$50 tell Missile Laura culled gal
want to speak to her right Of. Bay she
got message from de man what war hyar
wild he little brudder," said Daniel.
"At dis time O. nightT
"Yas; de message mus be delibered
right away" said Mark. "Don' wake
no one but Missile Laura. Tread scfy."
The woman lighted candle and went
of with 1t grumbling, leaving Mark
and Daniel in the dark. They waited
for perhaps ten minutes, when they
heard steps and saw the light returning.
The negro woman was followed by
Laura Fain, dressed In wrapper. She
knew Mark from the moment she saw
him. but pretended only to see q negro
girl.
"Hsb message TO- yo', Missile Laura,
but CANT tell 1t to yo' widout desc mig.
gers git away"
"Come with me-"
She took the candle and led the way
to the dining room above, leaving the
two colored people below. Then she
turned to Mark;
"why in heavens name did you come
back hereY
at was q choice between life and
death. Iescaped this evening from Chat
tanooga, where was to he hanged to-
morrow morning. Every place Of con.
cealment on this side Of tho river will be
entered and searched. II concealed In
this house, occupied by family Of white
people and Confederates, l may not DO
found. Otherwise my recapture Is Ger.