Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-08-18
and Hamid who set the barge on fire. "

and Hamid who set the barge on tre.
"By Jove'' exclaimed Maurice sud-
denly. "Why didn't 1 think Of that be-
fore? You are right, Phil; you are GER
tainly right. These two scoundrels
started that fire in order to escape and
ran the risk of burning all those poor
wretches alive. What bloodthirsty fiends
they must bel I declare I'm sorry we
left the barge at all. Why, Phil, if we
are caught now they'll probably shoot
MS. We are equally guilty with these
two villains. Grodno says he can pro-
cure us other clothing, and as that is
absolutely necessary we will be COM
PEELED to stay with them for few days
yet, but at the very first opportunity we
will leave them and strike out for our
selves. 1t j.. mighty slim chance, but
anything is preferable to keeping COM
pany with such men"
"Hushr' said Phil. II believe they
are awake"
The boys had barely time % lie down
and feign sleep when Grodno sat up and
looked around him.
He fell back in moment, and after
lying awake for nearly an hour longer,
not daring to resume the conversation,
the boys finally fell into restless slum-
ber that lasted until daybreak.
Enough food still remained to make
the fugitives breakfast, and after
hunting up small stream, where the
boys washed their faces and quenohed
their thirst. the march was resumed to
the westward.
So great was the aversion which
Maurice and Phil felt toward their COM
panions since the mutual discovery
made the previous night that it was i'm
possible to avoid showing it. Grodno
perhaps realized something Of this, for
his repulsive face wore sullen aspect,
and he turned his whole attention to
Hamid, carrying on an animated con-
versation, not word Of which the boys
understood.
A few hours march through the
same monotonous forest brought them
to the edge of vast open plain carpet
ed with waving grass and numerous
wild flowers
Along the edge Of the woods ran
we'll defined road. on which recent wheel
tracks were plainly visible, and less
than two miles distant lowered from
the plain a couple Of gilded crosses
shining in the morning sun and clus-
ter of low, gray houses.
As they stood gazing in CONSERVATION
on the distant village and the open
country Grodno flercely motioned them
under cover.
Along the very side Of the road lay
dense timber, with high grass and scat
tered rocks. Crouching down in this,
the boys could see a vehicle Of some
sort approaching rapidly from the direo-
ton Of the village. AS it drew nearer
they saw that it was small wagon
covered with a leather hood and drawn
by pair of black horses.
A peasant in red shirt was driving,
and behind, with folded arms, sat a mil
Aary looking man in blue coat.
Grodno, who was under shelter OF a
Dig rock, slightly in advance Of the
boys, turned round and fercely COM
manded them to lie low and make no
noise.
He deliberately drew back the trigger
of his rife and thrust the muzzle out
through the branches, whispering as he
did 30 to Hamid, who at once cooked
his revolver and crept foot closer to
the path. .,
The wagon was now within 30 yards
Of the spot, rattling smoothly over the
grassy road. and still the boys failed to
realize the dreadful significance of
Grodno's preparation: When the awful
truth did fash into Maurice's mind, the
next instant. it was already too late.
Taking careful aim, Grodno pulled the
trigger, and a sharp report echoed over
the plains, followed by puff Of white
lmoka