The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-06-24

WIS ulfecLly on level d1Jn MS nGafC.
One of the villains next produced
piece of stout cord, carefully made a
slip-noose in one end and drew the
moose tightly over the hammer of the
weapon. The other end of the cord
was soon fastened to convenient nail
in the wall at the other side of the
room, after which, with deliberate
coolness, the heavy table and chair
were pushed little nearer the bound
man until the rifle was almost at full
cock. 1t would be difficult for any
man accustomed though he might be
to danger and death to imagine the
feelings of the prisoner as he realized
that the severing of the cord meant
instant death He was not left long
in suspense as to the nature of the
death dealing means his enemies had
prepared for him, for in shorter time
than it takes to relate it, they had
taken n candle from the window sill,
lighted it, placed it conveniently upon
q small box they had placed upon the
table in such manner that the fame
had but to burn half hour until it
should reach the cord and barn it in
two. And in another moment, with a
few taunting remarks, they were gone.
How the helpless man must have
longed for the return of his son ! How
he must have watched with bulging
eyes and fainting heart the flame of
doom burn closer and closer 1t was
situation to drive the strongest man
to madness. But l will not dwell at
any length upon that sad portion of
the story. A few moments more,
shortly before sunset, the son came
down the lonely mountain road, whis-
tling a merry tune. Wholly uncon-
scious of what he should find, he
approached his cabin home, tried the
door and found it securely locked.
Not sound came from within. Still
unaware that anything unusual had
happened, he placed his rifle beside
the door and walked slowly to the first
of the two windows the cabin con-
tanned 1t was fastened, nailed
securely from the inside. A look in
side and a wonderful change came
over him. He rushed frantically to the
one remaining window, only to find
that it also resisted his best efforts to
open it. At this moment the fathers
eye rested upon the form of his son,
and tears of gratitude wet his rough
cheeks. There was not an instant to
lose--a less observing man than the
son could have seen that. In the
fraction of minute he had gained
possession of his trusty rife, showed
the muzzle through the window pane
and fired. His nerve was not the
steadiest nor the light the best, but
simultaneously with the discharge OF
the weapon the Pickering fame of the
candle went out and the whole weight
of the pinioned mans form tested the
strength of his bonds. He had tainted!
With muttered curse, knowing not
but his father was dead, he picked up
log of wood and with three giant
sweeps battered the door in. In
another moment he had cut the bonds
which held the limp form of his father
and placed him tenderly upon his cot
in the corner.
"Then, with his father safe for the
present, the thought of personal
danger came to him. Rushing to the
window overlooking the road, he saw
in the gathering twilight the forms OF
two men, as they approached, with
uncertain steps. The true condition
of affairs dawned upon him in an in
slant /! These men, temporarily con-
tent with the success of their plans,
had left, imbibed freely of moonshine,
and, having heard the report of rifle
from the cabin, were now returning to
loot the premises, thinking it was all
over They were soon to realize their
error. however, for, before they had
proceeded half dozen more steps, the
report of a rifle again broke the still
ness, and the foremost of the two went
down without cry
The narrator paused moment at
this juncture, and wiped the prespira-
ton from his brow, while his three
auditors awaited the resumption OF his
story with eagerness.
''The other villain took to a tree,
he went on, "but as the son lnJudl-
icously showed his form at the window,
rifle ball came crashing in and tore
his good right hand almost to pieces.
His teeth were set now and a look OF
intense hatred glowed in his eyes. His
opportunity came before long, for the
desperate moonshiner was imprisoned
behind the tree. Knowing escape to
be we'll nigh impossible, he hastily re-
loaded his weapon, and, getting down
upon his knees, cautiously peeped
from his covering, unable to resist the
chance of taking another shot at the
man in the cabin. 1t is needless to tell
you what followed, except to say that
the single look caused his death, which
might otherwise have been averted Tor
some time, perhaps indefinitely, as
darkness was fast coming on.
ssThere is little more to relate. The
older man, he upon whom the torture
had been inflicted, lived for many years
wrnII