The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-11-14
CHAPTER XVIII.
RlsTA KEN.

~NOA>
motion for self defense would be n sig
nal for bullet to go crashing through
my brain.
Git up" he whispered.
stood on my feet
"Move on"
1t was the dawn Of a beautiful s., ring
morning. The perfume OF young vcr-
dure, the twittcr Of birds, an occa-
slonal cock crow in the distance, gave
me the thought that 1t is delightful to
live. But they threw over me as well
contrasting gloom for It seemed ccr-
tain that this fair scene was the last
OF those pictures drawn by the divincly
artistic hand of the Creator that |
should ever look upon. My companions
were all wrapt in Il heavy slumbcr,
induced by II long period of unrest.
l Dadc Il mute farewell to each as |
passed. breathing Il blessing on little
Buck, whose arms were claSpCd about
his sister, his young face and figure
relaxed; Oh Jaquclinc, her white face
resting In profuSion Of tumblcd blncl;
hair; on Helen, her features strong
even In sleep. There was Il line be
tween the lids of IlClrn'S eyes. but
thought little of that, for it is not ul-
usual for people to show This line when
sleeping. ] thanked God that my pres
cncc would no longer be /: menace 10
these dear ones who had suffered so
much for me.
JnycON marched me out Of the camp
toward the road across ii and into Il
wood Oh the other side, where his horse
was pickctrh to Il tree. He was con
Stantly looking about and IiStrning
and inferred this was for others of
the gang, who ha:i doubtless separated
IN order to cov,T more ground in their
search for us. IIuHlly 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 lie did not intend to kill me.
though he was indifferent whether he
did or not. He wished to serve Il ,ou.
bic purpose of signaling the band and
intimidntng me. TWO similar shots
were fired far to the north, and then
my captor started off with mo in that
direction.
Entering the road, we proceeded. JAY
COX, some ten yards behind me, anus
Ing himself by firing occasional shots
Mt mo, evidently trying to see how
nt ctH!l come 10 mo without mt
ting me- one OF his bullets Erazrd my
ear, and ! felt blood trickIinG on my
collar. good evidence that he had miss
ell his imaginary mark on the wrun"
side. He was duuhtirSS firing for his
double purpose OF letting his compan
ions know of his Whereabouts and of
tort,ring me. Ills Signals ana these Of
my other enemies were drawing nearer
and nearer together. did not doubt
that the gurrrlIaS would prevent any
further opportunity for escape by mur-
derinE me ut once, though they might
delay long enough to force me to sign
for ransom which would have no
effect In saving me. lost all care
wSciihhooa,, iihhoa, IaycoN hit me or whether |
.'.,,, .,~"" horrible death
by the gang. At last was fact IL )"vv ),.
with the inevitable.
l was trudging on mechanically, my
eyes bent on the grounH JaycoX close
behind swearing and shooting at me,
when suddenly Il shot rang out from
behind us both. ! turned and saw Jay
cox tumble from the saddle. RunninE
to where he lay, | bent over him and
knew at once that looked into the
face Of dying man. He gave me one
malignant look. Il shvcr passed over
him, and his eyes were set in death.
l looked up and saw Helen standing
In the road n short distance back with
carbine in her hands. There was
something in the expression OF her
face, holding as she did the weapon. n
light smoke curling from its muzzlc,
that brought vividly before me my enc.
my with his smoking piStol on the
night OF the massacre. a signal shot
came from around the Wccs so near
that we knew the reDa OF the band
would soon be upon 40. Quick as
thought l sprang into the saddle left
vacant by JaycoX and sDsSrrcd toward
Helen, she darting into the wood, fol
lowing and, after pe0Otratng far
enough, both hiding beheg1 rock coy
cred with brush.
A horseman came dasGf@g down the
road, pulled up beside 90Dcox's body,
looked around anXiousA9 as though
fearing an ambush, thea Hurried back
whence he came.
With one impulse HcleeS and I sprnng
into each others arma Oh the rap
ture Of that cmbraceS s essayed to
epSon W hcl, W ultpI eNG4J Il WOrU, an
exclamation expressive OF what felt.
l could only draw hc8 cheek down |
against mine and mutcly Gold It there. |
linen showcrcd kisses on her lips, her
eheeks, her forehead, heF eyes For |
the moment l forgot all but the rcycr |
ehcc' the gratitude, the burning pas |
sion, that thrilled mc-a passion such
as comes but once, If ever in n life.
time.
Suddenly there came 10 Helen n re-
membrance OF our danger.
Mount! Quick! All depends on put.
ung space between You and those who
VIII XIII You the moment they get their
hands on you againw
And leave you? Not II"
On my God! Are you going to act
Shat way again2"
You have killed Jaycox and released