Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-09-20
CHAPTER XVIII.

- WAS awakened by the kick of
& heavy boot and, opening my eyes,
looked into the face of Tom Jay
cox. The expression of fiendish
joy that shone through anxious caution
froze the very marrow of my bones.
The muZZle of his revolver was within
a few inches Of my forehead, and his
look told me that word of alarm or
motion for self defense would be Sig
nal for bullet to go crashing through
my brain.
"Git up" he whispered.
stood on my feet.
"NIove on"
1t was the dawn of beautiful spring
morning The perfume of young YER
dure, the twitter of birds, an occa-
sional cock crow in the distance, gave
me the thought that it is delightful TO
live. But they threw over Inc as well
n contrasting gloom, for it seemed GER
tain that this fair scene was the last
of those pictures drawn by the dlvinely
artistic hand of the Creator that
should ever look upon. My companions
were all wrapt in n heavy slumber,
induced by n long period of unrest
I bade q mute farewell to each MS l
passed, breathing blessing on little
Buck, whose arms were clasped ABOUT
his sister, his young face and inquire
relaxed; on Jagueline, her white race
resting in a profuslon of tumDled black
hair; on Helen, her features strong
even in sleep. There was line De-
tween the lids of Helen's eyes, but 1
thought little of that, for 1t Is not I'M
usual for people TO show this line when
sleeping. | thanked God that my pres
ence would no longer be menace TO
those dear ones who had suffered 50
much for me.
Jaycox marched me out of the camp
toward the road, across it ana into
wood on the other side, where his morse
was picketed to tree. lie was con-
stantlv looking about and listening,
and | inferred this was for others or
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 ktralsht
nj me. fired two shots in rapid success
sion. the bullets singing close TO my
ears. He did not intend to XII me,
though he was Indifferent whether he
did or not. He wished to serve dou-
bic purpose of signaling the Dand ana
illuminating me. Two similar shots
were fred far to the north. and then
my cantor started off with me IN tnat
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 now
near he could come to me without hit-
ting me. One of his bullets grazed my
ear. and | felt blood triclling 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 bis compan-
ions know of bis whereabouts ana OF
torturing me. His signals and those OF
nv other enemies were drawing nearer
and nearer together. l 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 have no
effect In saving me. l lost all care
whether Jaycox hit me or whether L
was spared for more horrible death
by the gang. at last was face to face
with the inevitable.
was trudging on mechanically, my
ewes bent on the ground, Jaycox close
behind swearing and shooting at me-
when suddenly a shot rang out from
behind US both. l turned and saw Jay
coz tumble from the saddle. Running
to where he lay. ] bent over him ana
knew at once that | looked into the
face Of a dying man. He gave me one
malignant look, a SILVER passed over
him, and bis eyes were set in death.