Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-07-21
CHAPTER XIV.

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 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 neighborhood 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.
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 to hope that
favorable change might occur he re.
allied that the chances of recovery were
very remote. All that long night shs
lay as one sleeping heavily, and but fol-
the many distractions the daughter
would have noticed that the change was
for the worse.
Neither Marian nor Uncle Ben ha6
reason to suspect that Mrs. Baxter had
seen or heard anything that night, but
she must soon know all. The girl had
| 4 hot l.
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.
1t was hardly o'clock in the morning,
and she had simply tasted breakfast,
when she went ont to Uncle Ben and
said:
Il am ready to go and can't wait an
other minute. We will take some more
provisions, but 1 shall have Mr.. Kenton
brought TO the house,
What about dat woman:" he asked.
Il don't care for her. If she doesn't
like his being here, she can go.''
jest look into her room, Miss Sun
shine.''
The door was ajar, while the woman
herself was at the other house. There
was a bloody towel on a chair, bloody
water in a washbowl, spots of blood on
chair and on the floor.
1t looks as il some one had sought to
murder herr" exclaimed Marian as she
looked about in establishment.
Il know what happened, replied
Uncle Ben. Dat pusson 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 bit an cum yere
to hev his hurts Token car of. l heard
a noise bout daylight, an reckon dat
was when he left.''
I'm glad you didn't kill him. but
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-
lengod by Steve BIayton, 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 a wink to Uncle
Del ne Sdlu 10 Maflan.
go right along, Miss Percy; he un s
heard yo'r voice and is waiting fur yo'.
| want 10 speak word or twQ to Uncle
Ben
What yo' want to spoke to me
| BOUT: cautiously inquired the old man
after they had walked away few steps.
Muffin, yo' old son of Africa!" an.
|
what b'longs TO good manners: D. yo'
reckon that gal wants anybody around
when she fust claps eyes on the Teller
she loves like house afire and is gwine
| to marry arter this cussed scrimmage is
over?'
| "Hu! l see." chuckled Uncle Ben.
"Of co'se yo' sees arter has pinted
out the way, but then yo' is only an
ole Niger and can't be spected to hey
any feelin's onless kicked by mule OF
licked by passed. 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
locked very serious as he replied:
Then yo' kin bet we ar in fur red.
hot time! Ike Baxter will be back befo'
noon with gang at his heels, and the
chances ar that somebody will gil
shot!"
At this moment Marian called tc
them, and as they entered the camp they
found her dressing Kenton's wound and
preparing for his immediate removal to
the house. While the raiding party had
stolen the horses, as before mentioned,
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