The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-11-13
CHAPTER XVIII.

looked into the face Of Tom Jay
cox. The expression of fiendlsh
Joy that shone through anxious caution
froze the very marrow of my bones.
The muzzle of his revolver was within
O few inches of my forehead, and his
look told me that a word of alarm or II
motion for self defense would be n sig
nal for n bullet to go crashing through
my brain.
"Git up" he whispered.
stood on my feet.
"Move on"
1t was the dawn of n beautiful spring
morning. The perfume of young YER
dure, the twiiter OF birds, an coca
sional cock crow in the distance, gave
NE the thought that 1t is delightful to
live. But they threw over me as well
a contrasting gloom, for 1T seemed GER
tain that this fair scene was the last
of those pictures drawn by the divincly
artistic hand of the Creator hat |
should ever look upon. My companions
were all wrapt in n heavy slumber,
induced by n long period of unrest.
/ babe n mute farewell to each us |
passed, breathing Il blessing on little
Buck, whose arms were clasped about
his sister, his young face and figure
relaxed; on Jaquellne, her white face
resting In II %profusion of tumbled black
hair; on Helen, her features strong
even in sleep. There was n line be-
tween the lids of Hclen's eyes, but l
thought little of that, for ii is not I'M
usual for people to show this line when
sleeping. l thanked God that my pres
ence would no longer be n menace TO
these lear ones who rad suffered so
much for me.
JaycoX marched me out of the amp
toward the road, across it and into n
wood on the other side, where his horse
was picketed to n tree. He was con-
stantly looking abou and listening,
and l inferred this was for others OF
the gang, who had doubtless separated
in order to cover more ground in their
search for us. Finally the brute stood
still and, pointing his revolver straight
at me, fired two shots in rapid success
sion, the bullets singing close to my
ears. He did not intend TO Kill me,
though he was Indifferent whether he
did or not. He wished to serve ii dou-
BILE purpose OF signaling the band and
intimidatlng me. Two similar shots
were fired far to the north, and then
my captor started off with me in that
direction.
Entering the road, we proceeded, Jay
cox, some ten yards behind me, anus
ing himself by firing occasional shots
at me, evidently trying to see how
near he could come to me without hit
ting me. One of his bullets gra2ed my
ear, and felt blood trickling on my
collar, good evidence that he had miss
ed his imaginary mark on the wrong
side. He was doubtless firing for his
double purpose OF letting his compan
o know OF his whereabouts and OF
torturlng me-. His signals and those of
my other enemies were drawing nearer
and nearer together. | did not doubt
that the guerrillas would prevent any
further opportunity for escape by MUIR
dering me at once, though they might
delay long enough to force me to sign
for a ransom which would nave no
effect In saving me. / lost all care
whether JaycoX hit me or whether l
was spared for a more horrible death
by the gang. at last / was face to face
with the inevitable.
1 was trudging on mechanically, my
eyes bent on the ground, JaycoX close
behind swearing and shooting at me,
when suddenly n shot rang out from
behind us both. / turned and saw Jay
cox tumble from the saddle. Running
to where he lay, l bent over him and
knew at once that / looked into the
face of a dying man. He gave me one
malignant look, n shiver passed over
him, n his Eyes were set In death.
I IppLn1 M onl eo-y Ioloo t,,li-
In the Dad n short distance back with
n carbine in her hands. There was
something In the expression Of her
face, holding as she did the weapon a
light smoke curling from it's muzzle,
that brought wildly before me my enc.
my with his smoking pistol on the
night of the massacre. a signal shot
came from around the dGees SO near
that we knew the ress OF the band
would soon be upon eA. Quick as
thought / sprang INTO the saddle left
vacant by Jaycox and sHGrred toward
Helen, she darting into t6a wood, / fol-
lowing and, after peDetrating far
enough. both hiding behtsa a rock coy
cred with brush.
A horseman came dasttng down the
road. pulled up beside 5 Wcox's body,
looked around anXiousH as though
fearing an ambush, thea Aurried back
whence he came.
With one impulse Heless SIND 1 sprang
into each others arms. oh, the rap
ture OF that embraced essayed to
speak to her, to utter ewes a word, an
exclamation expressive Of what / felt.
1 could only draw hes cheek down
against mine and mutelg bold IL there.
Then I showered kisses on her lips. her
cheeks, her forehead, heg eyes. For
the moment | forgot all but the reyer.
ence, the gratitude, the burning pas.
sion, that thrilled me-a passion such.
as but ono If eper, in a life.
time.
Suddenly there came to Helen a re.
membrance OF our danger.
Mount Quick! All depends ON put
n space between you and those who
Will kill you the they get their
hands on you againr'
And leave you? Not IL"
"oh, my God! Are you going to act
that way agalnf"
You have killed Jaycox and released
me a second time. Do you p they
viii overlook thaf?D
She became frantic at my opposition.
N Nxntt fnnIf ~.