News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-11-20

on dogs! 1Ou towards. You're
going to kill me! Why do you delay?"
They looked at each other knowingly
and grinned-a horrible, soulless grin.
DO We reckon yer goin ter git ter
heaven without payin fo' tn damage ye
done?" snarled JaycoX, with an ugly
light in his eye.
"Ah, that's your gamer
eve know you uns ter be as we'll
fixed TO property as any young man in
Tennessee. An we're goin ter hev a
slice too. But yer needn't reckon thet's
goin ter save We. Yer got ter shell out,
an them His look told the rest.
Give me one shot with my back
against a tree, and I'll fight two such
towards as you"
"Shet up" snapped Jaycox, showing
his teeth within a foot of my face and
with a glance like that of an angry
bulldog. Then, riding up to the en-
trance of the hut, he shouted:
Hello thar"
An old woman came to the door with
an iron spoon in her hand.
"Waal, what's wanted"
"Snack."
"Hain't got nothin but pone."
"Got any coffee?'
Coffee? by reckon Abe Lincoln's
gOin ter let us hey coffee away up in
these mountings when they hain't got
none down in tn towns? l got a yarb
II do purity wal, though"
Ny captors dismounted, breakfasted,
then arranged for a short nap, one
watching while the other slept. Jay
cox first sprawled himself on the
ground and was asleep in a twinkling,
while his comrade sat staring at me
with his gun ready cooked. l knew
that if l made the slightest movement
with a view to escape he would shoot
me. Occasionally he looked inpatient
ly at handsome gold watch, doubtless
taken in spoil as if anxious for the ex-
piration of his hour of duty. Toward
the last he nodded was near some
low bushes and began to roll toward
them. He aWoke with a start aud
quick as flash brought his gun to his
shoulder.
"Yo' hound"'
JaycoX opened his eyes and, seeing a
murderous look in bis coiIlpanion's face
and a gun right over his foot pointed
at me, kicked the weapon upward, dis
charging it, thus doubtless for the time
saving my life.
This finished the first watch, and
Jaycox took his turn, admonishing me
that if | tried the experiment again he
would tie me up by the thumbs. |
dreaded this torture and gave him no
cause to enforce it. Besides, he kept
awake during his entire watch.
The men having secured the needed
rest. we broke our bivOuac. JaycOX
loosened the horses. and his cOmpan-
ion kept me covered with his gun while
| mounted. AS | put my foot in the
stirrup | happened to glance aside and
saw two horsemen approaching In a
moment | recognized Buck Stanforth
and Ginger. How they came to be
there was mystery. | only knew they
were there and rejoiced. At seeing
me Buck was about to give a shout
when he bethought himself that such
a proceeding might be fatal and re-
| gained his composure just as his pres
ence was discovered. Ginger showed
no signs of recognition whatever.
shot quick glance at Jaycox to see If
he recognized the negro. To my relief
he did not appear to know either Buck
or Ginger.
Say, yo' men," called Buck, "can we
get somepin to eat hyarW
"Ef thars any vittels left" said Jay,
cox. "What yo' uns doin out this time
O. day"
"Oh," said Buck-I trembled lest bis
wits should desert him at a critical
momentum takin this niger to his
new master. He's sold"
eyer a peart un ter oliver a niger
Reckon he don't mind goin with yer"
Buck and Ginger dismounted as we
departed. was obliged to part will
them without being able to utter @
word or make a sign. Still, their pres
ence gave me hope. Hope! Wha
could a simple negro and boy do tC
rescue me from two stalwart bruteS
who were watching me like cats2
All day we moved northward, tht
men riding close beside me, now ant
again turning their ugly faces towarC
me with a grin of satisfaction or G
scowl when I did or said anything tC
displease them, often bending close tC
me, sickening me with their rank to
bacco smelling breaths or the worse
odor of their unwashed bodies. We
met no one. The only comfort I de
rived was from the natural objects Of
the mountains. red fox stole away
under cover; a chipmunk, fearless ant
free, sat on a log, looking at us curl
ously as we passed; a budding wilt
rose brushed my boot; It was like The
kiss Of loving companion; even thu
twittcring birds seemed to be Offering
sympathy.
| TCoptinuad noxt weak I