The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-07-31

paid for escaped convicts, anGlastly they
probable cost of property destroyed-S
and all this through my carelessness.
But I would not live to witness the
awul consequences. resolved to stay
there until the fire was out, or to per-
ish in my struggle against it.
In the Pickering light OF our single
lantern, the two anxious faces Of the
silenced men stood out strangely
against the background of murky
gloom.
'Blondie," my voice sounded strange
and muffed, get out of here as fast
rs you can. Go around through the
new dollhouse; have Shafter let you
through the east trap door; then you
two crawl through on the other. side
as fast as you can; you may be in time
to put out the lantern!''
| "Now, Hanks, you go to the turn
key. tell him to get all the men out
| of their cells. I'll stay here to watch
the fire; besides, I must wait to di-
| rect Blondie.''
The men quickly disappeared in the
| darkness, and was alone. I think I
prayed little, for this fire light was
the last light I ever expected to see.
Then, as in answer to my prayer, an
idea shot into consciousness-throw
| my heavy sweater over the lantern
| and smother the fame. -
Holding the sweater before me, 7
thrust my arms into the hole-one,
two, it swung and landed squarely;
my aim was true; this would hold
the fire till help came, or possibly e1-
tinguish it.
The ease with which got into the
hole this time made me believe that
without coat and sweater I could
| crawl through.
Holding my arms close to my sides,
I started to work my shoulders into
the hole. It was much easier than
before, and in minute or two my:
head projected beyond. Now Z
| stopped for a moments rest, and to
ook around me. I could see but q.
| short distance into the gloom, and.
then everything blended into black.
The lantern was completely covered
by the sweater and emitted only 9;
very faint light. q.
Suddenly my heart gave great:
throb, for over to my right I thought
I saw a shadow move. It could not
be friend, or he would have spoken;
surely then it must be that black
devil. For moment I could not STIR
but ri7eted my eyes upon the silent,
retreating figure. Then scarcely
knowing what did, or why, I was:
possessed with the spirit of panic;t
I struggled frantically to escape.
from my perilous position; but
while more sane and orderly efforts
might have been successful, the
many twists and turns caught my.
shoulders under pipe fixture, and
I was wedged fast.
Even that faint, fading light must
have shown my face as picture OF
struggling terror, for saw that
form again emerge from the other
shadows and plunge toward me on
hands and knees.
It was he! I heard his inhuman
chuckle; the whites of his eyes rolled
and CLEANED hideously. Then, slow
ly, with malevolent glance toward
me and a ghastly laugh, he drew the
sweater along from of the lantern.
Freed from it's smothering cover, the
flames leaped out, lighting every cor
ner of the little compartment, and
outlining the savage figure of the;
negro. Undoubtedly he knew of an
escape for himself when the heat
grew unbearab1e-
longed for shot at this animal,
but my arms were pinned close;
could only move my fingers aim
hssly.
With look Of savage triumph, he
cautiously lifted the blazing mass by
means of the sweater and allowed the
flames to play around the rafters-
I saw the cobwebs sputter, the little,
splinters on the rafters caught and
burned like tiny matches.
In imagination I could smell my,
singed hair and my burning flesh.
The fend had squatted cross-legged
on the ground safely beyond the fire
and was gloating over my gasping
misery. I saw him draw shining
razor from his belt. He began rub
bing it back and forth across his
striped legs, and with each fash OF
the steel he laughed aloud.
s'The FIRE will do its work first,
thank God!" I murmured, drowsIy,
and my head fell forward through
sheer exhaustion. Yes, was dying.
This numbness was the beginning OF.
the end. Why did he not come on
with his murderous blade? What
did the delay mean? Voices sang IN
my ears. Pauline was speaking. Oh,
the music of that voice!
Pauline" 7 whispered. With des-
perate energy of the death struggle,
I raised my head and stared before
me.
"Work OF you die!" The words
the voice, the dramatic scene are pho
tographed on my brain. Brooks was
working like mad before the fast
succumbing flames. Every muscle Of
his giant frame was strained to the
task.
"Work, I say, faster, or" There
was sharp click. The sound eman-
ated from crouching white figure
in whose hand cleaned the barrel
OF a pistol. Just then another light
glimmered through the gloom, and
Banks CHEEKY voice rang out:
'Keep him covered, Miss Pauline;
we're comm with the bracelets.
we've got the men Gained down q
bit''-he kept up stream of talk
as he approached-''Me and Blonde
no thanks to Brown"
EDicboS h- cnoY1~