The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-06-27
CHAPTER XIV.

Uncle Ben returned to the house at
midnight end found Marian anxiously
waiting for news. Royal Kenton had
told him what to tell her, and while she
was comforted in one direction she was
frightened in another. If Kenton and
Brayton had been followed ever the
mountains and blood had been shed,
would the pursuit cease until they had
been hunted down? If the man whom
Uncle Ben had struck down in the dark
ness was Ike Baxter, wouldn't his in
formation bring Captain Wyle and his
company into the neighborhcod at once:
Provided it was not Ike Baxter at all, it
certainly was an enemy of some sort,
who would demand revenge. The out
look was indeed an anxious one, but
they could only wait and hope.
It was we'll for the mother that she
was too i'll to realize that anything un-
usual was happening. The doctor had
exercised his skill to no benefit, and
though permitting Marian to hope that
favorable change might occur he re-
allied that the chances of recovery We're
ve1y remote. All that long night she
lay as one sleeping heavily, and but for
the many distractions the daughter
would haye noticed that the change was
for the worse.
Neither Marian nor Uncle Ben had
reason to suspect that Mrs. Baxter had
seen or heard anything that night, but
she must soon know all. The girl had
determined that Kenton should be
brought to the house and cared for. The
thought of his rude shelter, wounded
and suffering as he was on that cold
winter night, almost drove her wild.
It was hardly Z o'clock in the morning,
and she had simply tasted breakfast,
when she went out to Uncle Ben and
said:
Il am ready to 80 and can't wait an
other minute. We will take some more
provisions, but shall have Mr.. kenton
brought to the hoase. >
.'What about dat woman he asked.
..I don't care for her. II she doesn't t
like his being here, she can so. :"
''Jest look into her room, Miss Sun
shine!''
The door was ajar, while the woman
herself was at the other house. There
was bloody towel on chair, bloody
water in a washbowl, spots of blood on
chair and on the floor.
ut looks as if some one had sought to
murder her." exclaimed Marian as she
looked about in astonishment.
"I know what happened, H. replied
Uncle Ben. dat pusson l knocked in
ter de middle O. last summer was Ike
Baxter. He was follerin me from de
house. Boat of 'em knowed what was
up. He cum to arter a bit an cum yere
to hev his hurts tooken car of. I heard
noise bout daylight, All I reckon dat
was when he left
..I'm glad you didn't kill him, but l
expect Mrs. Baxter will now feel like
taking revenge upon the whole house
hold. Let us be going.
Half an hour later they were chal-
lenged by Steve B1ayton, who had al
ready prepared breakfast for the wound
ed man and was able to report that Ken
ton had passed a comparatively comfort
able night. He met them just outside
the camp, and with wink to Uncle
Ben he said to Marian.
go right along, Miss Percy; he un' S
heard yo'r voice and is waiting fur 20. ;.
I want to speak word or two to Uncle
Ben.
What yo' want to spoke to me
bout" cautiously inquired the old man
after they had walked away a few steps.
"Nuthin, yo' old son of Africa" an