The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
AT THE TAVERN.


The two men who had just entered
the Fair Play tavern were indeed Dyke
Despard and his evil accomplice, Dan
ton. At the sight OF them new terror
and apprehension seized the timid Inez,
and even White Fawn looked anxious
and concerned.
Had they. however, known the true
condition Of affairs with the outlaws
they would have been less fearful Of
their power to injure them. For retri-
button, swift and terrible, seemed to
have followed the bandits, and the ar
rival of their leaders at the tavern was
In the nature Of q flight from their enc.
miles,
The canoe containing the outlaws
had nearly overtaken the fugitives.
The Modocs had pursued the bandits.
Despard and his men had been attacked
by the Indians at bend In the river.
Shadow Snake was their leader and
Darrell Grey was among them. Before
the startled outlaws could prepare tor q
defense, g. deadly hall Of leaden bullets
was poured into their midst.
Instantly the river became the scene
of the greatest confusion and excite
ment The canoe, penetrated by the
bullets, sank In midstream, and those
the opposite shore. ...
OF their number only two escaped
Despard and Danton-and they were
both slightly wounded. OF the others
not ono escaped the dread vengeance OF
the Modocs.
The bandit leaders gained the shore,
evaded pursuit, and, as has been seen,
reached the Fair Play Tavern shortly
after the arrival OF the fugitives.
They entered the bar-room, seeking to
evade notice, and passed into the ante
room behind the bar. The landlord,
who was the banker. merchant and mag
istrate of the place, followed them with
no sign Of recognition on his face
. @Well, gentlemen" he began.
GWhati you don't know us?" said
Danton.
GDespard!" he finally calculated, after
staring at them for some moments.
Exactly, and in trouble See here,
Marvin, we're in bad box, and we've
got to leave the country"
@How Is that?"
@Close the door and we will tell you"
u0 Olu bO, dAo bCopolo bCSUh
speaking in q rapid, confidential tone.
His words indicated that in the past the
now presumably respectable landlord OF
the tavern had been man as unprinci-
pied and criminal as himself.
and Informed Marvin that he must shell
ter them for o day or two, and then pro-
vide them with horses to leave the
country.
1It's lucky you were disguised when
you came in here" said Marvin, afor the
community are terribly aroused about
your helping the Modocs in the attack
on the wagon train
Despard scowled and looked disturbed
"Well, we'll" he said, impatiently;
scan you stow rs away in place Of
safety?"
aYesn
sWhere?"
"There's . room yorder that no one
can got to except through here"
| sBut II the vigflantes knew we were
here and should search for us?" -
There's trap in the floor leading to
the cellar and thence to the stables.
How are the vigilantes going to know it?"
because we have many enemies on
our trail, and will undoubtedly be closely
pursued Bring US something to eat
and drink, will you? We are nearly
famished."
Despsrd and Danton retired to the
room beyond the one they were in.
HWe're safe enough here" remarked
the latter with complacent glance at
their comfortable surroundings
Despard surveyed the apartment crit
ically.
@Not II Ranger Ralph and that young
scout Grey trace US, replied Despard
@Where does this door lead to?"
"To the outside hall, suppose But
it's bolted heavily on this side."
| @I'm going to see."
Despard was some time operating the
bolt, which apparently had not been
used for years. He finally slid it back
in its socket and opened it cautiously
1t led, as Danton had suggested, to
hall that ran from the upper to the rear
portion of the house.
Despard seemed determined to under
stand his surroundings, and to be pre-
| pared for an escape under all contin-
oanciea Ha stanned into the hall