Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-10-17

shuddered as the thought struck me
that WIS to be Eept-fora more linger-
ing death.
We were, passing between range Of
hills on our left and the Cumberland
plateau on our right when Jaycox drew
rein. and we all came to halt. There
was sound of horses hoofs behind,
coming at a brisk canter, but no sooner
had we stopped than the sounds ceased.
Both the men listened until all was ST.
lent, then JaycoN started on.
"All right, Pete" he said. "Whoever
1t is has either stopped or left the
road"
Some I'm goin home late, reckon"
We proceeded on our way, but had
gone scarcely quarter of mile when
we again heard the hoof beats in our
rear. Again we pulled up and listened.
by gosh, Tom," said Pete, tibet
beats me!'
"Shet up!'
Both listened, waiting to hear the
sounds renewed, but as they were not
we started on. For the second time the
a little nearer.
I'VE must git outen this" said Jay
cox. Lets take tte the hills here in
stead O furder on"
Turning to- the right, we passed
through timber, beginning a gradual
ascent Of the plateau. Jaycox rode
ahead, holding my bride rein, while
Pete followed, revolver in hand.
| Who were on the road knew no
more than my abductors, but as a
drowning man will catch at straw I
cast about for some method of letting
them know of our DEPRESSION. Bending
low in the saddle, peered through the
gloom, watching for something with
which to produce sound, for my gag
prevented my shouting, and shout
would have brought punishment. Com
ing upon fiat rock, by pressure of
the knees / guided my horse over it,
but it was too firmly imbedded to be
moved. Soon after encountered an
other right on the edge of the trail.
Digging my heels into my horses
tanks and forcing my body out of
equilibrium, forced him to prance. A
vigorous pull on my bride rein by
Jaycox saved him from going over the
incline. carrying me with him. But l
had accomplished my purpose. l heard
the stone go crashing down the noun
tain.
"You Internal dog" cried the man in
the rear, 'ef yer do thet agin I'll run
knife atwixt yer shoulders"
EFF he does it ag'in, yer needn't trou
BILE yerself ter stick him. The fall 'ud
finish him."
Higher, higher, we mounted, farther
from the dark plain below, upon which
here and there shone a lonely light
nearer to the patches OF fleece in the
heavens and the stars looking dowI
from above. Then came faint light
in the sky and gray tinge over the
country below. Woods, streams, fields
houses, barns, grew out of the darkness
The light broadened; there were gildet
clouds in the east; the sun cast its frs
beams over the heights and upon tn
landscape below. We had reached TIN
upper level; we were on the plateau.
Espying log house ahead, the mel
consulted and determined to try 70
some breakfast. They took the gal
out Of my mouth, and as soon as wa
free to speak, anxious to be at once pu
beyond suffering and the terrible sus
pense Of an impending murder, cried
"You dogs! You towards! Your
going to kill me! Why do you delay ?
They looked at each other knowingl
and grinned-a horrible, soulless grin.
'Do We reckon yer goin ter git tie
heaven without payin fo' tn damage y
done?" snarled Jaycox, with an ugl
light in his eye.
"Ah, that's your game"
eve know you uns ter be as we
fixed TO- property as any young man
Tennessee. An we're goin ter hev
slice too. But yer needn't reckon tibet
goin ter save We. Yer got ter shell GU
an then His look told the rest.
"Give me one shot with my BAG
against tree. and I'll fight two sue
towards as you"
"Shet up" snapped Jaycox, showir
!. us Ieelu WlIulu lOoC OI LILY Luce aL
2 with q glance like that of an angl
bulldog. Then, riding up to the e.
o trance of the hut, he shouted:
1 "Hello thar!'
n An old woman came to the door wi,
t. an iron spoon in her hand.
e "Waal, what's wanted?"l
10 "Snack."
y "Hain't got nothin but pone."
l. "Got any coffee?'
"Coffee? D'y' reckon Abe Lincoln
If goin ter let us hev coffee away up
Is these mountings when they hain't 6
'e none down in tn towns? I got va
III do purity wal, though"
My captors dismounted, breakfasts
then arranged for q short nap. Oh
watching while the other slept. ia
t, cox first sprawled himself ON Il
ID ground and was asleep in twinklin
~ while his comrade sat staring at L
b. with his gun ready cooked. I kne
ut that if made the slightest moveme
N with view to escape he would sho