Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-05-09

hind trees that hid them from the house.
"l don't like that officer coming to the
Fain plantation just ut this time. Thers'll
surely be some mention OF us. and II is
possible he may want to have look at
us. You know. Jakey. we're only poor.
modest people, and don't want TO be
stared at"
"We amt got our store clothes on.
and don't want ter make no acquaint-
ances," Jakey observed solemnly.
Mark had noticed Laura Fain's agita.
ton when she caught sight Of the officer
at the gate. and knew there was good
reason for 1t. He did not fear that she
would betray him Intentionally, but that
she might be led to do SO from her very
anxiety to keep his secret.
"The first chance we get, Jaxey, weIl
take to the woods. We told them we
were going to Chattanooga, and II this
officer takes II into his aristocratic head
to escort us with true southern polite
ness part Of the way he'll expect " find
us on the Chattanooga pike"
IN twouldn't be perlite TO ter git In
his way"
They had gone but trifiing distance
when they came to creek aowing-as
q wayfarer they met told them-through
Moccasin gap. The road crossed 1t by
something between hedge and cul.
vert. Mark led the way from the road
mp the creek and began to climb the
hills. on which there was sufficient
growth of timber to afford concealment.
For an hour he trudged along with
Jakey beside him. He tried to get the
boy to give him his hand to help him
along. but Jakey demurred Indignantly
and kept his sturdy little legs SO well at
work that he never once fell behind his
companion.
At last they came to hut occupied
by an old negro.
"Good morning, uncler said Mark.
|Mornen. sah."
-Hev y seen anything Of colored
boy bout eighteen years old 80 by hysr
this morneny'
mo, sah."
Hes my boy Sam, and I'm a-hunten
him. He run away last night. He'll GIT
a hundred ef ketch him."
II amt saw him, sab. n | tell yo' what,
marst'r. Of had saw him ! wouldn't In.
form yo' oh de fac"
"Thet's the way with you niggers,
since the Yankees turned your heads.
But II won't last long. Our boys1l
drive 'em SO fur moth pretty soon that
you darkies'll hev to stop runnen away"
snow don yo' believe dat so sarten."
do you really believe the Yanks can
whip usy"
"De Lo'd hes sent 'em to tote his col.
ored people out o bondage"
Mark was satisfied with this preliin.
mary examination that he could trust
the old man
"Uncle. I'm no secesh. I'm Union
man. want to stay with you today
and travel tonight. Keep me all day,
and I'll 20 away as soon rs 1t Is dark"
"Fo' de Lod. knowed yo' want no
south'n man all do time"
"HowY'
'Yo amt got do south'n man wayo'
talken. Yo' did hit well enough, but yo'
CANT fool me-"
well. will you keep usy'
Reckon will"
Whats your namey
"Randolph's my name, sab. Jeffson
Randolph. My marst'r said he glib me a
mighty big name, but hit didn't do no
good. Dey always call me notten but
Jetf.-
You're as we'll of as the president Of
the Confederacy In that respect" said
Mark. III guess we'1l go inside"
Yes. 60 In dar. Keep dark"
Mark and Jakey waited for the day to
pass. and rs they had no means Of anus
ing themselves II passed very slowly.
.Iakey played about the creek for awhile,
nut both were glad when the darkness
,,alne and they could get away.
Before setting out on his expedition
Mark had carefully studied map Of
the region. preferring to fix 1t In his
mind than to carry It about his person.
Upon leaving Jefferson Randolph's hut
ne made direct for the Tennessee river.
Once there. he knew from his reinem-
orancs OF the map that he was not far
from Chattanooga, and that between
him and that place was Moccasin point,
formed by bend, or rather loop, In the
river. the point putting out southward
for more than two miles, with o dis
tance OF nearly mile across its neck.
But hs knew the ground was high on
the east shore Of the peninsula, and he
did not know the proper place to strike
inland and cut OF the distance around
the rivers margin. There was no one
near to inform him. 90 he kept on by the
river.
II was late at night when they reached
q point where the river took slight
turn to the east, and about mile from
the quick bend around Moccasin point.
Marx was anxious to enter Chattanooga
either late at night or soon after day
light. hoping to meet few people, that
his entrance might not be noticed. He
cast his eye about for some means OF
crossing the river. Noticing . skih
moored Just below . hut, he surmised
that tho skih belonged to some one liv-
ing In the hut. Going TO the door he
knocked.
"Who's thar
do you uns own the skis on the river
below hyarr
"Waal. supposen ] doesy
Il want 10 oross."
.what d. y want ter do thst fur ct
this time o. nightr' .
"Fsthsr dysn. Just got word spsll
ago."
"whss1i y give ter 60. usr'-
Five dollars"
sWhst hind o. shinplastsrsr
.0resnbacks."
.whsr a. y GIT 'emr
"From some people - got 'em traden
With the Yankee sojsrs ct Battle Creek.
"All right, stranger. but it's . sight o
II ~ 49, a. 49, .slls1 ksR n suausa douH