The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-26
CHAPTER XIV.

Uncle Ben returned to the house at
midnight and 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 over the
mountains and blood had been she'd,
would the pursuit cease until they had
been hunted down? II 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 onceH
Provided it was not Ike Baxter at all, it
certainly was all enemy of some sort,
who would demand revenge. The out
,ook was indeed an anxious one, but
they could only wait and hope.
1t was well 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 10 hope that
favorable change might occur he re-
allied that the chances of recovery were
very remote. All that long night she
lay as one sleeping heavily, and but for
the many distractions the daughter
would have noticed that the change was
for the worse.
Neither Marian nor Uncle Ben bad
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
winters night, almost drove her wild.
1t was hardly O'Clock in the morning
and she had simply tasted breakfast
when she went out 10 Uncle Ben and
said
am ready to go and can't wait an
other minute. Wawili take some more
provisions, but shall have Mr.. kenton
brought to the house"
What about dat womani" he asked
Il dom care foI her. If she doesn't t
like his being here, she can 60 "
Jest look into her room, Miss Sun
shinar
The door was ajar, while the woman
herself was at the other house. There
was bloody towel on a chair, bloody
water in washbowl, spots of blood on
a chair and on the floor.
1t looks as if some ono had sought to
murder her!" exclaimed Marian as she
locked about in astonishment.
know what happened, " replied
Uncle Ben. Dat pusasn knocked IL
tc1 dc middle o last Summer was Ika
Baxter. de was f0llerin me from de
house. Boat Of en- knowsd what was
up, He cum 10 after bit an cum yers
10 hev his hurts token car Of. l heard
noise bout daylight, an l 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 BTayton, who had al
ready prepared breakfast for the wound
ed man and was able to report that Ken
ton had.pasged a comparatively comfort
able night. He met them just outside
the camp, and With a wink to Uncle
Ben be said to Marian.
Go right along, Miss Percy; be IN s
heard yo'r voice and is waiting fur 20.
want to speak word o. two to Uncle
Ben"
What yo' want to spoke to ms
BOUT" cautiously inquired the old man
after they had walked away few steps.
"Nuthin, 20 Sld son Of Africar an.
swered Steve. Don't yo' un know
what b'longs to good manners? D. 20
reckon that gal wants anybody around
when ahe fust claps eyes on the feller
she loves like house aEre and is gwine
to marry arter this cussed scrimmage II
overT'
"Hul | see' chuckled Uncle Ben.
"Of co'se yo' sees aTter | has pinted
out the way, but then yo' is only an
ole nigger and can't be spected to hev
any feelin's onless kicked BY mule OF
licked by passel Of guerrillas.
Ben then told him of the discoveries
made at the house and of his belief that
his victim was Ike Baxter, and Steve
looked very serious as be replied:
Then yo' kin bet We ar in far red.
hot tiInei Ike Baxter will be back befo
noon with a gang at bis heels and the
chances ar that somebody will gil
shotp
At this moment Marian called tC
them, and as they entered the camp they
found her dressing Kenton's wound ant
preparing for his immediate removal tC
the house. While the raiding party hat
stolen the horses, as bqfore mentioned