Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-05

Lemuel one of my pistols and asked him
II ne could use it. He looked me straight
Ives, sir and to kill. am free man,
now: maybe III soon a dead one, but III
never again live as another mans prop
erty.'
In each boat We're the provisions needed
for it's occupant. Cautionng Lemuel not
10 start until our boat was a few rods
ahead, l pushed into the sluggish current
hcadins the canoe toward the bayou.
NOW for the north l whispered to
Lucy, as l dipped my paddle and sent the
canoe over the water. on, on we went
among the dark cypress and cottOnwoods
their oVerhanging branches touching the
wafer ana brushing our canoe. The dip
OF the paddle and the swish of the branches
as we disturbed them in our passage was
al IL mat broke the awful silence.
II was quite dark before we reached
the waters OF the Teche, and tied up close
under the bank. waiting for Lemuel and
ms canoe. l was tired with waiting be-
fore they joined US "
AS we should now hava IN nadia
against the current and must make a
noise, l thought it best to wait until 10
CLOCK where we We're, for a short dis
lance above US, on the banks of the bayou,
was Laurents plantation. His negro quar-
ters We're quite near the waters edge and
as the stream was narrow at this place,
IL was with no little anxiety that | drew
near. Although the night was dark, yet
there might be some one around. or some
darky fishing. spoke very softly to
LemueI' and he ranged alongside. With
lght cord l fastened both canoes to-
gether.
Now, my boy, strong but easy and we
moved slowly on past the house by the
quarters unheard and unseen.
'Ah, what's THAR
'Lemuel stopped his paddle
Hist! hist, 1t was the dip Of a paddle
from up the river, and before we could
make movement crash came a canoe con-
tain1ng two darkies returning from a
Hi, what dis?' one cried
"A sweep of my paddle, and he lay IN the
bottom of his dugout. another moment and
mad sprung into his boat and had my
hand upon his partners throat
A word, lisp. and you are a dead
man.
Jack whispered, move on. and you,-
to the darby had by the windpipe-"taka
that paddle and follow. Not a Hsp,'
He obeyed. / examined the one to whom
had introduced the paddle. He was lust
coming to his senses. His head was bleed
ing pretty badly and his face showed white
spots even in the darkness.
Ihelr canoe was small dugout about
llIteen Ieet long. Stepping back toward the
stern, L motioned to the fellow who was
padding to go forward, and then ordered
him to drag his companion into the center
or the canoe and let him lie there until he
recovered mig senses. He was frightened
obey. "
Now, my boy. go forward; paddle for
your life, and don't let the dip of your pad
Ole be heard'tw feet from the canoe / or
dered. He was glad to obey and the three
canoes went speeding by the plantation
and in a few minutes were safe for the
night. ZIG
Il had intended to reach the little run
around before daylight. If you recollect
mat was afew miles above Lochen's. and
was the only place that offered a safe
maven, as the banks of the bayou were too
tllckiy settled for us to attempt to pass
them by daylight 3~
I was hampered with my two prisoners
ana hugging the east bank of the stream
made redoubled exertions to urge the
canoes forward.
Ihe bank was dimly. outlined, and 1
couid tell very nearly where we were, We
mad made seven or eight miles when to
my great joy, our canoe ran over the huov
We had placed below the outlet, and in q
few moments We were pushing our wav
through reeds and bushes of the run
around. did not try to go far but halted
both canoes few rods from the bayou and
waited for daylight.
The sky had begun to redden in the ga ct
pefore We moved again. At sunrise we wera
a mile up the stream and secure from nh.
serVatlon The two canoes were fastened
| TO the bank and / remained alone with the
prisoners in the captured canoe. The hovs
I on shore built little fire and soon tba
smell of hot coffee and fried bacon told mo
| that they Were well employed '''N
This branch. you will remember uv,z
more of natural ditch than a stream. "a
| 1t was not more than eight feet wide hut
quite deep-perhaps four feet or more. I
sat IN the stern Of the canoe. looking at the