The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-08

"She didn't say muffin, but cried kin,
OBJ quietlike after de colonel had gon
out OBJ de parlor. DEN she tole me whel
he warn't round dat I was to scorch he
dat night from her home to q sartil
place dat she didn't name. So we com,
down, and when she found out whar dc,
was fattenin yo' up so dat yo' woult
be fit to kill in de mawnin she made
me stand back out oh de way while she
slipped up and rose de winder and den
slipped off ag'in jes' afore 20 fell out
on de ground"
The meaning Of all this was appar.
emit. Miss Esther Mansley, if not en-
gagged in marriage to the conscienceless
Henry Boyer. loved him despite his
@orthlesmess and the fact that he had
stolen valuable horse belonging to her
father. It was that feeling which caused
her to make her way stealthily to the
Inn late ut night under the escort Of her
faithful servant and to release me, be.
lieving I was her lover. The act was
womanlike, and who shall blame her
therefor, even though she knew the un-
worthiness Of the miscreant> that had
won her affection?
But after all Ihad nothing to do with
this phase Of the business. So far as
was concerned the young woman had
builded better than she knew. I was
breathing the free air of heaven and
should continue to do 20 or know the
reason why.
"Rastus, you say Miss Esther wishes
me to run and it 10 the best thing for
me to do, but did she say in what di.
reotion2''
II s'pose from her observations dat
che meant fur yo' to run to de debbil,
which am de same as runnin like de
old boy"
"But, not being acquainted with the
country What the mischief are you
laughing att" I angrily demanded as
the negro chuckled.
"Marse Hank, 20 jokin when yo' say
yo' doan't know much bout dis ken
try"
1t was a waste Of the precious min
utes to seek to convince Erastus Brown
Of the truth. ! appealed to his good
opinion Of himself.
"What do you advise? What direo.
ton is best for me to take?"
"My advice am to head fur Moo Or
leans and not stop runnin day or night
till yo' got dere. It am only free, four
t'ousand miles, and I s'pose yo'H got
tired, but when yo' arrove dere yo'll be
safe and 20 kin take good, long rest.
Mercy heben," suddenly exclaimed the
African, "did yo' hear dat?"
It was dismal, mournful sound that
rose on the night air, coming from some
point apparently miles distant. l took
it for the cry of wolf in some swamp
or woods and set it down as unworthy
Of attention at the time.
Although I had made my escape from
the house, was still near it. Cy Wal.
ters and Archie Hunter would not sit
down and wait for daylight before max.
ing another move against me, and IN.
less morning found me several miles
from that spot it would find me in i'm.
minent peril Of being reoaptured or shot
down.
Another fact was not to be forgotten.
Although I had possession Of an excel.
lent revolver, only three chambers were
loaded, and I was without an additional
cartridge, for Jim DUNCAN when he re.
lieved me of my weapon took good care,
as I have related, to supply himself with
the accompanying ammunition. 1t was
necessary, therefore, that should hus-
band those three charges until the direst
necessity compelled me to appeal to
them.
"You know I have been away for
some time, Erastus, I said desperately.
II shall depend upon you to guide me
to secure hiding place. Lead on"
No doubt the African deemed me &C.
centric that night, but probably he laid
It to my lustered condition. He NUT.
tered something which did not catch
and turned straight about and started
across the broad spreading meadow to
which have referred. Ifolloweda few
PAGES behind him.
As nearly as I remember, we walked
IN eighth of mile without any per-
,eptible change of direction. Then my
guide turned to the left, and in few
minutes we were making our way
through low, swampy ground, where
tho water wet my shoes. Dense stubby |
;rees and bushes doomed up in front.
"Where are you leading me, Eras-
us?' I asked sharply.
"Gracious heben, doan' 20 know,
Marse Hank
1t would not do to throw away time |
With this fellow. spoke with sternness
md laid my hand on the butt of the |
pistol at my hip.
"Erastus, after this when I ask you
question answer me if you don't
want me to shoot you. What place 10
his to which you are leading me?''
at am Black Mans swamp"
"What gave 1t that name?"
"Dat 8 whar de runaway slaves some
lines used to hide. De swamp am SO