Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-04-18

Ike Baxter, picking up his crumbs of history and his bits of information on current events at the doors of the livery stable or ar und the stove of the bar room, was something of a local cham pion in the matter of Yankee hating. If Kenton had not stood between him and military glory, he would still have felt bitterness toward him as a man born in the north. Uncle Ben's cautious ap- preach to the house on this night had reference only to Mrs. Baxter. There was another man stealing through the darkness and making a noiseless ap- proach at the same time-Ike Baxter. Neither Uncle Ben nor Marian Percy caught sight of him, but he noticed their every movement and drew his own conclusions. The gun which the old man had been told to secure was in his room in the little house. He had de- parted from Rest Haven without being seen or his absence noted by the wom- an, but his return aroused her, and her sharp eyes were upon him as he carried away the firearm and loaded himself with the bundles Marian had prepared and brought to the door. SEe was dress ing to follow him as he disappeared down the highway, having dim sus- picion of the state of affairs, when Ike knocked at her window and was admit ted. In less than minute he had re- lated what he saw outside, and she had told him of Uncle Ben taking the gun.
 "Whar's he un bound fhr?" queried Ike.
 Dunno, but sunthin' s happened sum- whar! Yo' must foller him!"
 Has that Yankee bin yere?"
 ''No, but the gals hearn news, fur shore! Reckon he un may be lyin out around yere sumwhar, and the nigger's takin out stuff to him. Git right arter he un, Ike, and if yo' find the Yankee go'n tell Captain Wyle and hev him cum with his critter company!'
 "I'll do better'n that!" grimly 1e- piled the man as he stepped out into the night. If find that Yankee around yere, I'll put bullet into him fust and tell Captain Wyle next!'
 Uncle Ben had only a few hundred yards the start, and the man on his trail soon lessened the distance until he could hear the old mans footsteps and make out shadowy form through the darkness. There seemed nothing more certain than that he would follow on and uncover the hiding place of the flu gitives. For nearly three-quarters of a mile the slave messenger had but one idea-to return to Steve Brayton as fast as possible. He was hurrying along when sudden thought flashed through his brain, and he instinctively stepped aside and halted to listen.
 How do know but what dat wom- an dun heard me git de gun an is fol- lerin mel" he whispered to himself. Shed do it! She's powerful wicked, she am! An mebbe some mo of dem gorillas am waitin long yere to grab me an giv me anodder whippin!"
 He was listening as we'll as whisper ing, and after minute he heard the sounds of footsteps coming down the road. He drew back into the deeper shadow of the high bank, dropped his bundles, and taking firm grip of his gun be mentally resolved to make fight for it if he was overhauled by the same crowd as before. A few seconds later he realized that only one person was approaching. The footballs were too heavy for woman. He had just decided this point when a man loomed up in the darkness before him and halt ed almost within arms length to nut ter:
 "Drat my hide, but has that ole ni2- ger left the road an giv me the slipP 1 heard he un only mint ago, but him's dun gone now!'
 It was Ike Baxter of course. He stood peering and listening for half minute and then growled:
 1T orter hev run he un right down an made him show me the way! Now the cussed Yankee may git away from mel No, he won't though! I'll hunt over every foot of this country but what I'll find him an hev his scalp!"
 Uncle Ben did not recognize the man at all, as it had been many months since he had heard Ike Baxter's voice. It was instantly plain to him, however, that the man was determined enemy and was seeking Royal Kenton's life. Ike took three CT four steps forward and stopped again to listen. Noiselessly and with such feeling as he had never experienced before Uncle Ben clubbed his gun, took one silent step forward