Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1897-06-02
CHAPTER XNV.-CoNrINUEp.

Let us follow Lathrop; he was more
familiar with the surroundings than
were the men from Wilmington. and IN
the darkness might easily evade them,
but be sped away with the speed of the
wind. never for n moment giving n
thought TO where he was going:
straight through the grove. over the
ridge. and down TO the rice fields edge
He struck the rice fields, where one of
the banks that divided them extended
from the upland TO the main dyke en-
the river front, and down this bank he
darted. straight for the river, but he
had not got more than 800 yards down
the bank before he ran into the arms Of
a stalwart figure approaching from the
opposite direction.
Hey! What have we here >" said the
man who held Lathrop with a grip not
to be shaken of; stand on the other
side, Bill. and flash your light"
\ man passed Lathrop and his cap
tors, and removed the cap from bulls
rye lantern, and threw the light on La
throp's face.
1t was the face Of one whose features
were stamped with insanity. lie was
bareheaded. the blood was trickling
from his forehead. lips and nose. which
showed that he had come in contact
with many trees in his flight. His Gle
gantwcdding suit was torn and splashcd
with mud, but he was recognized.
My God, Bill. it's Herbert Lathrop.
the man we're after. We will return.
Murderer! do YOU know who has YOU
now? Plack Beard
Not word fell from the lips Of Her
bert, as he was hurried along in the di-
rection of the river. When they mr.
rived there they tumbled him into
boat, in which already sat four men.
Now If Hendricks and Bullion were
here, we'd be of" said Black Beard.
I'm sorry now l sent them up the other
bank. | told them to go but half way,
halt at cross flood gate, and there re-
main until summoned. Throw high
your light, Bill, for minute; they eN-
pect the signal from the other way, bit
they may see it,"
Bill fastened the bull's-eye 10 the oar,
removed the cap and held il aloft
There, that will do; they should
have seen that"
While these events were transpiring,
the two officers had by chance struck
the very bank on which Hendricks and
Bullion were stationed, ond as they
passed noisclossly on towards the RI er
suddenly they saw the light of "A match
not thirty feet ahead of them.
Hendricks had struck IT to light lis
pipe.
Easy, mate, easy" whispered one Of
them.
,I,I,,,. ,,.,,,.1,.1 L., go, e. -. H. IL a.
bank, and got up opposite them, almost
within reach, and lay quiet.
This is our last adventure. Bullion"
said Hendricks. IF Black Beard gets
that fellow Lathrop. as he's after, we
leave these diggins' forchever."
Il amt sorry" said Bullion; Its
time. TO tell you the truth, Hendricks.
this piratin' is mighty bad business.
It's so risky, when we get our part OF
the dough- I'm in it for quits on pi-
ratin', l am"
Wen git that before we sail. Every
man will have his share. Black Boards
square to his men"
He is that, but ! hope he'll quit the
life. He's too good a man 10 stretch
hemp. Who but him could have man
aged that Washington job"
'Blest if il amt time we had a signal.
II we're goin' TO have one You bide
here, Bullion, and III drop back 10 the
boat,and see if they haven't come back
The officers heard Hendricks walk
away toward the river. They gave him
fully five minutes, at the end of which
time Bullion felt the cold muzzles Of
two pistols pressed suddenly against
his head.
"A move and you're a dead man"
y moment more and he was disarmcd.
handcuffed and marched hurried!y to
wards the uplands
When Hendricks returned to the
foodgate Bullion was not there.
What has become OF Bullion?" ne
thought. lie called his name several
times, but no answer. lie flashed his
lantern in several directions. but could
see no one. lie searched the ground.
1t appeared as though more than one
person had last been over il, and on tho
other side of the bank the long grass
looked as though some one had cra,yIed
through it.
He waited until he saw the light
flashed from the lantern OF Bill Gibbs.
which was suspended i'm the air by the
oar, and returned TO the boat. vs. here he
found the captain with Gibbs and La-
throp seated.
I'm here, captain, but can't find
bullion"
Cant find Bullion? What's become
OF him? o."
II left him az the foodgatc and came
back ere TO see 'adu't YOU returned. AND
when / got back he was gone. From the
wall, and the grass there, 10 looks like
Others had been along there"
Hardly" said Black Beard. "is any
one bad. Bullion would have stepped
into the rice field"
That ne would said Plunkctt "ICs
faiut-hcartcd is Bullion"
1--WE viii wait ten minutes for him
and il he don't come he'll have totoueh
IL out, and walk around the beach and
signal us tomorrow night Hes not "a
man TO desert and leave his gold bee
hind"
''No fear of him dcsertin',' said Hem
bricks
Herbert Lathrop sat there whore hc
had been placed. and his only words
were: Lets go. Fly. Black EcarI,
They'll hang you. { thought yeu was
Angus Bruce but Won Uut. I'm GLAD
Of that I'm going with you for tnc, .rc