Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-01-12

what to do. Drawing several long
breaths he filled his lungs with air, and
then putting his head down and his feet
up he threw himself under water He
had often been beneath the surface for
a considerable time, but never as long
as now. He remained under as long as
he thought he possibly could, and then
staid awhile longer. When he came
to light again the boat was hundred
yards above him and to the west of him.
Another mile brought him to an island.
He remembered it on his map as Will
lian's island, and knew that it was
about two miles long. He recalled the
fact that the only creek flowing into the
river i'll this vicinity entered it midway
between the north and south end of this
island, and on his right, if he remem-
bered Alright. He had about q milo to
so to reach the mouth of this creek.
Striking out, he directed his course to
the eastward of the island and swan
very near to the east bank of the river.
Along this he foated with scarcely
stroke, except to keep in close to the
shore, watching eagerly for the mouth
of the creek. Fortunately when he
reached it he discovered it, and where
he had supposed he would find it. With
n few lusty strokes he was in it and soon
at a place where he could rest in the
water with his feet ON terra frma.
But the knowledge that the dogs
would soon be upon him prevented a
rest of long duration. Perhaps a party
hn e ;,,4
thus cutting off a greater part of the
long distance over which he had floated
The thought added new terror, and he
began to wade and to swim alternately
as was necessary, up the creek Pre-
sently lie came to The crossing of a road
lie drew himself up on to 1t and looked
around. As a scout ne had long been
accustomed to keep his mind fixed ON
points along the paths he travelled, in
order mat he might know them again.
As soon as he saw the little bridget it
could be called bridge-he knew that
he was on the Chattanooga pike, over
which he had passed few days before,
and at the junction of the creek running
near the Fains' plantation.
Mark had not considered what he
would do in case he should succeed in
getting safely across the river. While
in Jail he felt that once out and across
the Tennessee he would feel assured Of
safety. Now this had xeen accom-
plished, he began to realize that but half
the battle had been won. Indeed there
We're more chances that he would be re-
taken than that he would ever reach the
Union lines.
He wrung the water from his clothes
and put them ON. shielding his face with
his sunbonnet, for. though he had no
mirror to inspect his features, he fancied
they must be streaked with burnt cork
softened by water. Then setting out
toward the Fain plantation he delib-
Grated what he should do.
1t was now between eleven and twelve
o'clocl:-so Mark judged by the moon
being on the meridian-and he knew
that all the Fains were asleep. He
reached the corner of the yard and was
about to enter it when he heard a clat-
teiing of hoofs behind him. He had
hardly time TO vault the fence and crouch
behind it when a troop of horsemen
crossed the bridge over the creek They
drew rein on the hither side not a hun.
dred yards away from him. Mark heard
a voice:
"Lieutenant, take ten men and scour
the bank of the river from this on to the
next creek, where l will make another
detail"
The lieutenant with his men broke
1
forward, passing within fifty feet Of
where Mark lay crouchinG.
Mark was for few moments so com
pietely overcome by the narrOwness of
his escape that he seemed to have no
power to move If he had been five
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 beside a portion of
ii which led back from the road, design
ing to enter tlo negro quarters III the
rear. He feared that the dogs We're
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 moan. Mark paused
moment and listened; then entering
the grounds he walked i'll Il STOPPING
posture, keeping one of the cabins be-
tween him and the dog. lie wanted to
reach the rear door.
Mark felt assured that unless he could
be concealed III 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
hlt one chance for him. He must effect
an entrance into the Fain house, and
that with the knowledge as to his true
character of but one person-Laura Fain.
He reached the negro cabin aud
knocked.
s.\Ebn lo,p"