The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-12-08
Copyright by Robert Bonner's Sons.
CHAPTER XXI.
CONTINUED,

AN4.
CONTINUED.
There was a second of awful 81
lence, then report that would have
done credit to a small cannon, and Sa
manthy measured her length on tht
floor.
s'Land O. goodness! How it kicked!'
eroaned the PROSTATE damsel. 81
reckon I'd orter p'inted it t othe1
way"
At the barn there had been a quick
sharp cry from the shadow in the door
way, frightened oath from another
inside, and then man staggered and
fell across the log sill, with a rec
stream of blood squirting from his
breast.
care you hit?" cried the other, com
ing to his side and attempting to raise
him to his feet.
"Yes," was the husky answer. 81
guess I'm done for at last. . Don't stay
here. You can't do any good if you
do. They won't hang me after I'm
dead. Make tracks, partner"
"But can't leave you in this fix,
said the other "You may not be hurt
as bad as you think. Couldn't you
walk by leaning on me? Try it."
cts no use," was the reply. "I'n
shot through the body. Run for it il
you want to save your neck"
His companion hesitated. 1t seemed
too cowardly to leave wounded com
rade like this, even if remaining at his
side could afford him no help. A
hoarse rattle in the throat Of the
wounded man decided him.
"Well, then, good-by, old fellow,
he said, putting out his hand and
touching the others arm at parting.
ssI'd stay if I could help you, if
hung for it," he added, still wavering
between desire to be loyal to an OLD
companion in crime and longing to
seek personal safety.
The only answer was gurgline
sound in the throat of the dying man.
He knew that his companions life was
ending, and he sprsng over his body
and fed into the darkness.
81 reckon I've convinced 'em we
want all away from hum" said Sa,
manthy, struggling to her feet. "I'll
bet I'll be black n blue to-morre1
from the kickin' O. that gun. I neve,
see nothin' like it..
care you hurt much?" asked Nan
ME, beginning to recover from her
. fright.
"Not seri'us, I guess" replied sa.
manthy. "Supposen you look out
an see if you can see anything"
Mamie went to the window Just in
time to see the man running toward
the cornfeld.
zones running" she answered.
*And, oh, Samanthy"-with fright.
ened quaver in her voice. there's
something lying in the barn door that
looks as if it might be man! Oh,
Ssmanthy, what if it should be? What
will you do if you've killed him?"
''Sha'n't wear mournin' fer him, .
said Samanthy, beginning to feel
queer, as she afterward related this
part of the story to her friends. 81
wouldn't like to know I'd killed some.
body, but ef twas a hoss-thief, some
body'd orter kill him, an dunno but
it mought as we'll be mes anybody
else."
"We ought to let Uncle Porte,
know" said Mamie. "Oh, Samanthyr
-suddenly-'I wouldn't wonder in
the least if they'd got our horses,
too"
"Like's not" said Samanthy. "Ei
you'll 60 right down an let 'em know
what's happened, I'll stay here and
keep watch"
"Oh, I wouldn't dare tor' cried
Mamie. 'What if I met one of the
horse-thieves?'
'Then you stay here, an I'll 60,
said Samanthy.
'Iet's both co." said Mamie. 'tIt
wouldn't do any good for one of US tc
stay here while the other was gone. u
To this plan Samanthy assented
and they set off on a run for the camp
meeting grounds.
''It cured my toothache, anyway,
said Samanthy. "Ideclare It was lucky
I had it, want it? 1t sent me hun
at jest the right time. Eff we d a
ben five minutes later, they d a
ben gone with the hosses."
Mr.. Porter was in the midst of {
stirring exhortation when the two wo
men reappeared at the camp-meeting,
Samanthy went up to him and gave
his arm twitch.
''You d better come hum" sh,
whispered. 'There's trubble to tn,
barn. Hoss-thieves, I reck'n!"