The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-10-24

....1 ,sSa1 49,.
Alien touched the shoulder OF the dumb
boy, who was sitting as rio,onless as II he
had been carved from stone. and the little
fellow turned his wearied eyes upon him.
He motioned TO the child to come. and he
rose and followed him to the diningroon,
where they ate their breakfast
Never did q man ieel less like riding
across the country, but delays were dan
gerous, aud If parties were IN pursuit they
might overtake him before they reached
their destination.
Settling his bill he ordered his horse, and
mounting with the little boy before him,
they continued then journey. The child
gave evidences of soreness from continued
travel, but Allen made him to understand
that their journey would soon terminate,
and the little fellow become quiet
Galloping down a billy road they turned
into long lane On every side could be
heard the merry whistle of the plow-boy,
mingled with the song of the lark. They
crossed considerable strip of prairie, and
were refreshed by the gentle breeze sweep
ing over it
Poor little fellow said Allen, when he
discovered how haSgard the child was be
| coming. "Oh, how wish you were at the
end of your journey"
The prairie was about four miles wide.
They had crossed it and were entering a
grove of trees when, CHANGING to look back,
he saw two horsemen about three miles in
his rear coming at full speed.
Pursued" cried Allen. The child dis
covering the horsemen. look of terror
spread over his infantilc face, and, utterng
strange cries, he began kicking the sides of
| the horse
! Allen increased the speed at which they
were going as much rs he dared, knowing
| that iive-mile journey was before them.
They passed teamster. who turned his
| eyes inquiring.y upon the fug.tivcs. but
asked no questions, and Allen kept steadily
on, soon losing the wagner to view by ID
bend in the road
About a mile Further on they overlook Il
boy, OF whom Allen inquired the distance
to FrenchtoWn.
"'Bout three miles this way; faint
more half as fur, though, eff ye take the
nigh way ahead here"
How far are we from the nigh wayl'"
Allen asked.
"'Bout quarter"
Take me to it, and put me on the right
road, and will give you dollar for your
trouble"
The boy, highly pleased to earn dollar so
easily, whipped his thin sorro to gallop,
and soon brought the fugtlves TO the nearer
route, where he received his promised re-
ward
"Jist go right ahead said the boy, " thar
hain't no other route to take We off. "
Where are you going" asked Allen.
East"
AT oncel"
ayes, zurn
"You are in hurry, are your
aye bet We | am, or I'D take We right
plum to Frenchtown myself"
"If there is no road to lead US Off we can
make it without any more trouble Iow. Go
on, and good luck to you" sand Allen,
watching the boy until the thin, sorrel mare
had galoped out of sight =" | am glad he is
not going back, for he might meet those
men and put them on our trait"
The fugitive held the caild close in his
arms and put his horse into run. The
gallant steed almost flew along the wooded
road. On, on he sped like the wind,
high bridge which spanncd narrow, deer
|
thundered over the bridge and assembled the
tall hill beyond.
Frcnchtown was near; this journey would
soon be ended, but where was he TO concea
himself from those wrathful pursucrs wher
it was endedl He had very complete de
scripton of Mile. Camille's cottage, anC
thought he could find it without trouble, bu
would it afford either himself or the chile
shelter from their pursuers when foundi
When the top OF the great hill had been
reached the village appeared IN sight Th'
boy, recognizing the landscape, clapped hi
hands with delight. as the tall church spir'
was seen above the trees.
When they had reached the top of anothe
hill they saw the village lying below them
Not wishing 10 attract any attention AlleI
reigned IN their horse and rode Quietl.
down into the town.
Utterng gutteral cries CT delight tn
dumb BOY pointed toward a vine-covere'
cottage which Allen at once recognized b.
the description to be the house OF Mile
Cannlle. He rode quickly TO it. A negr
man opened the gate and motoned him +
enter.
; Entering the gate he found himself in
sort Of court surrounded by a wall ten fee
high The place looked not little like
fertilization A woman about forty years o
age came out from the house, and takin
the little dumb boy who had been lifted !
the ground in her arms almost smothere
him with kisses
Allen had hoped that he would meet som
one at this end Of the journey who was aol
and willing to enlighten hun on the perplei
ing mystery; but he was soon doomed TO dis
appointment, for there was not one OF tn
household able TO speak English
CHA pTER WV