The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-10-10
CHAPTER TX.
FRIENDS.


time scourge OF the south, the
e~1 guerrilla This band had been
made I'D In east Tennessee ana lad
moved out Of their original stamping
ground to get away from their olu
homes and find better field for pii'
lage. From the Cumberland plateau
they could swoop down toward Nash
vile, Murfreesboro, McMinnvillc, Shell
byyille, Fayette or Huntsville and,
II chased, could easily take to the
mountains, where 1t was difficult to fol-
low them. On one Of their forays Iom
Jaycox and Pete Halliday had got
wind Of my whereabouts and, with
several Of the gang. including the man
| had shot, had gone down to look after
me. The country IN and about Hunts
VILE was too civilized for open assas'
sination, and Jaycox. after the failure
OF the attempt on my life, had pro-
cured nv arrest as q spy. Then fol-
lowed the plan to kIdnap me and force
me into payment Of money before the
final revenge.
We hlvouacked where we had met
the band OH the plateau, under the
trees that waved above US, their
sprout!nG leaves lighted up by our
campfire. lay awake the greater part
Of the night. watching for an oppor-
tunty to escape. but one sentry after
another WAS placed over me. and morn
Ing came without my having made the
attempt.
At sunrise we moved northward, as
on the day before. my captorS still
keeping a strict watch over HE. Dur
ins the day Jayco1 pushed on in al.
vance Why did not know, but sur
missed that his going had something to
DO with the plan to plumber me.
The mountains seemed deserted.
No, human being did We see save
two women and negro. all on horse
hack. travelling In the same direction
as ourselves. caught several glimpscs
of them. though always at a distance.
and wondered how It was that "poor
white trash" 10 which class they ap.
peared TO belong, could afford the at.
,enda nee OF q slave.
When we halted for the night, which
We did about 3 o'clock In the afternoon,
the captain came up to me and told
NE they were going to take me to a
point near my old home, Knoxville,
where ! would be required to sign a
check for q large amount, all they
could squeeze out Of ME, but II there
were not sufficient funds to my credit
In the bank ! must execute papers that
would enable him to convert property
Into money. II | would DO as be wish
ed he would set me free. This knew
to be lie. The gang would find a pre-.
text 10 murder Inc whether signed the
document or not.
lie left me sitting on the ground
leaning against log. contemplating
The horrors OF my situation. II l did
not pay my ransom, | should be MUIR
dered; II paid Il ! should be murder
ed. 1t was uobsou's choice. made
up my mind that | would attempt to
escape, Set shot aud thus end q situa-
ton that was lnaict!ng on ne q mental
torture tar greater than any physical
pain mortal ever endured.
Casting NY eyes inadvertently to.
ward the road. | saw Two women ua.s.
Ing uorthward and in another mo,ueu,
recognized them as those had noticed
on the march. TO my surprise, one OF
them turned and rode toward us. The
other hesitAted. started on, turned and
iolio~eu her companion. | noticed
something familiar about thoir nKures.
1he coarse texture Of their Jackets and
ROWlS and thaIr
nets were out Of keeping with their
graceful carriage. III those women
Knew thought, that they we're en-.
'erlh8 a guerrilla camp. they would bo
stricken with terror" When tb,v
reached point dozen yards distant
they paused. the one In advance call.
Ing IN harsh voice:
TracyY' =
lhen beneath the homely check bon.
het' through the olive darkep,ny ~ hor
complexion under the cheap calico |
recognized Helen Stanforth. I4sr hoo,
tl1ul companion was none other ,,o,,
my fascinating little friend who hod
saved me from the impetuous wrath ~
captain MISUNDERSTANDING Rutland
Had pair Of angels come dowr
from heaven and lit on my shoulders
could not have been more anton,.hod
rubbed my eyes. thinking that NV v,
sion deceived me. but when look a.,
again there was Helen sittinp on mo
morse. chatting with the gueSrlllas n,
they were ordinary persons. maxim,
commonplace remarks In excellent dIa
ssct. with which long residence neo,
xhe mountains had made her familiar
Saquei'ne remained a short distance be.
nihd her. For awhile | fesrcd tbot
'~queline would betray them both, for !
eould see that she was TREMBLING, Rut
presently all terror seemed to leave her
ehe rode up beside Helen and began
s ~ enah the men. at once ATTRACTING the
"ssension Of the whole band.
.r: x~Fe likely gal." said one OF fnem
Wy down often that crittey aud stav
.Souldnt think Of IT,"
-, w. yes. 20 kin" Ana No walked
~ aha took hold Of her bride rein.
3o Jim CanHeld." cried fshe can.
s@sh, 'lo4 that Ryrl alopar'