Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-02-04

its loyalty, but it has its trcachcrous
members, the same as others. | had as
yet found no friends in whom | could
implicitly trust Even when Miss Es-
thcr Mansley opened the way for me to
escape she did it under the belief that |
was the misCrcant who had brought all
the trouble on me, but who was fOrtu-
nate enough to possess her affection.
"You may be all right, Pete"
thought, "hut these are times when it
is wise to set down every man as an en-
emy until be is proved friend. If pos
sihle, | shall make use of you, but if
know myself you shall not deceive me. 3"
With the same regular, noiselCSs
movement of his muscular arms Pete
continued to sway the paddle and to
propcl the dUgOut until we must have
passed fully half mile from where |
had joined him. 1t was clear that all
this time lie was penetrating deeper into
Black Mans swamp. | gained some
idea Of the Businesses of that marshy
timber and could well understand how
it became favorite refuge for runaways
i'll the ulden slavery days. With the
help Of the abundant water the blood
hounds could he thrown off the trail,
while the slaves of the adjoining plan
tationS would lie eager to contribute
steaIthily to tho fugitives when they
stole out at night in quest of food.
Having Padded the distance named,
during which Pete slowly puffed his
pipe, he reached a spot where the creek
broadened to three or four times its
former width. The banks were over
hung with bushes and underground,
but when lie ran the Prov Of the dug
out against the shore l perceived we'll
marked path leading deeper into the
wood. | stepped out, and he followed,
pulling the end of the rude boat far
enough up the bank to prevent its being
washed away by the sluggish current.
He had knocked the ashes from his pipo,
and he now slung the bag over his
shoulder preparatory to moving away.
AS he did 50 there was vigorous Cluck-
ing and struggling inside, but it caused
him no embarrassment He knew | un-
derstood matters, and there was no need
of affecting ignorance on discussing the
subject.
ewes purity neah home" he re-
marked as lie strobe off with me on his
heels. He had but short distance to
go when he debouched into n clearing
similar to that where l turned at bay
and shot the bloodhound. 1t was of
about the same extent, and the fertile
ground gave evidence of being well
titled He continued straight forward
over the path to the little cabin Of logs
which stood i'll the center. Just in front
Of the door he swung the bag off his
shoulder, united the top, and, lifting it
by the closed end, shook out about a
dozen roosters and hens. At first they
cabin to join IL number Of others that
were roosting among the bushes. Then
Pete led the way into his home.
''Do you live alone:" l asked, wait
ing on the threshold until he struck a
light.
"Haas, cher since my daddy died,
eight years ago " he replied as he dis
appeared i'll the gloom. a minute later
he struck a.mGtch, and as he applied it
to a tallow candle called me to enter
The structure was similar to many
that may he found today in the south
and southwest, consisting Of two small
rooms below and a sort Of loft above,
which was reached by means of Il slop-
ing ladder at one corner Furniture was
crude and scarce, consisting Of a few
stools Il stand, sCme pictures cut from
newspapers and the simplest articles for
cooking. In that latitude Il fire is rarely
needed except for cooking which was
done i'll the rough fireplace. The candle
that was thrust into the neck Of bot
tie rested on the stand at the side of the
room. The door had been opened by
means of the old fashioned latchstring,
which was now drawn in, thus Clock
ing" the building against intruders.
The door and two small windows, the
latter without sash or pane, We're all
that furnished light and ventilation to
this primitive home.
Pete had taken hut few minutes to
light the candle, but in that brief in
terval his erizZled wig and his bending
form had vanished, and he stood before
hlo 'IC JOu+'S-i AittSHlANCAt III ulO Ih'sV hO
was. He grinned, and, looking down
from his splendid height upon me as
seated myself, he asked:
81 s'pose yo' am s'prised, amt yo'?"
"Not at all. When you lit your pipe,
l saw you were not what YOU pretend
ed. You are wise III Disgusting your
self when making these little eXcur-
sioms through the country
He grinned more broadly than before
and said
81 s'pose yo' am hungry"
"Not so much as | am tired. ate
meal last evening and would as lief
wait the regular time for my breakfast,
What | want moro than anything is
sleep"
He sat down on one of the stools,
which he had evidently made for him
self, with the candle between us. De-
spite his superb physical appearance,
there was something in his broad black
face which l did not like. 1 moro than
suspected he was bad man.
"What time am it,"
Looking at my watch, I replied that
it was between and ) in tho morning.
Cant Gib yo' a kind oh bed dat
yo'll brag ob, boss, but I'll do dc bestest
dat kin. If yo'n climb dem ladder
dere, yo'Il find blanket dat yo' kin
lay down on.
"N hat are you going to dO?'
"Slccp hcah on de floor. I'm used to
it. OATS my spare rOom," added Pete,