Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-05-23

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such degree that he was SOL e.y tempted
to creep forth again. but chill now
would be disastrous. so he lay still and
suffered. He listened to the wind roar
ing in the wood, and to the fails Ct the
rain thrashing on the roof. Little BY
little the burning heat Of his body sub
sided, and after awhile he fell asleep.
He was awakened by voices. The
storm had ceased, and Langley was on
the point of struggling out and declar- =
ing himself when his ears caught words
which held him still.
It's hanging job, Jim, said deep
gruff voice.
We'll, that's your affair. You knock.
ed him into the river. said high tenor
voice.
We were both of US in it, and when
he started on us twas you clinched.'
u was only holding on by his gun,and
was holding on with my two hands when
you but-ended him and he tumbled in.
l couldn't have struck the blow for my
two hands were on his gun. SAM
And when I saw you in trouble did
turn tail and run away? Did /? Or
did l shorten my piece and let driv. at
him? And isn't the dark look of his
eyes turned on me ever since? Sans
tone had become subdued as he went on
and ut the end it had lost all its anger,
and was not addressed to Jim but spo-
kea to relentless vacancy where the dead
eyes lived.
Langley felt a cold shiyer on his back.
He had been listening to the history by
poachers of Black Billy's last encounter
with their fraternity.
The man with the big b voice stood so
close to Langley that his feet were in the
straw, and Langley could feel the straw
move when the man moved. Yet Lang.
ley burst not stir an inch away.
After pause, Sam, the more distant
man, the one with the rough voice, the
striker If the blow, recovered himself,
and said as if awaking from sleep:
What are we to do?
Strike light and let's see what's in
this cursed hole
But any one could see u light from
the river
And who would be on the river at
such an hour and after such night?'
Langley's heart stood still. Up to
this his only feeling was one Of loathlng
and horror of the presence of two men
red handed from murder. Now the
fearful peril of his own position struck
him. Here We're two desperate men
fresh from the most awful crime, with
no other thought thon, How shall we
escape the terrible consequences? They
were armed, they were going to strike
a light. He tried to lie still as log
A match was struck.
The high voice said: What heap of
straw. | suppose it was his bed. 1t
looks more like as if one had been sleep
ing under it instead Of on it. Nothing
but the straw in the shanty. There.
the match is out. What are we to do,
Sam? Twill soon be day and then they
will find it in the water
With the going out ofthe match, ,Jim s
terror returned.
Silence for awhile.
Langley felt sure his breathing or the
ticking of his watch or the beating OF
his heart must be heard. The cold
sweat ran down his face and neck. He
was madly impelled to shrek. The
muscles of his legs twiched. He had
to dig his nails into his palms to keep
his hands still.
Suddenly, with an oath, Sam cried:
u have it! l have it,
Are you shouting for the police be-
they even have light to find anything
in the riverT whispered jim.
u have it tell you,' cried Sam, in
triumph. What fell into the river
was carried into he sea in the dark
Whats your opinion then:
'Old Billy often slept the-e-there's
the straw to show he did
u heard the straw move as if he was
on i. now said Jim in a whisper of
horror.
BLACK Billy is in the channel long
ago you fool
Jim moaned. Either the straw moov-
ed or I'm mad
You're crazy with fear. Listen. To-
night old billy slept on the straw
Don't, don't, Sam! Let the straw
alone. 1t hears you. He has come to
it up out of the water. I'm nearer the
straw than you; can hear him breath.
ing
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