The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-10-09
CHAPTER TX.


guerrilla. This band had been
made up In east Tennessee and had
moved out Of their original stamping
ground to get away from their old
homes and flnd better field for pill
lage. From the Cumberland plateau
they could swoop down toward Nash.
vile, Murfreesboro. McMinnville, Shell
byville. Fayette or Huntsville and,
h chased. could easily take to the
mountains. where 1t was difficult to fol-
low thesu. On one OF their forayS TUm
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 my arrest as spy. Then fol-
lowed the plan to kidnap me and force
me into payment Of money before the
Anal revenge.
We bivouacked where we had met
the band on the plateau, under the
trees that waved above us, their
epreuting leaves lighted up by our
campfire. lay awake the greater part
Of the night, watching for an oppor-
tunity 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 dny before, my captors still
keeping a strict watch over me. Dur
ing the day Jaycox pushed ON In ad-
a hat
missed that his going had something to
do with the plan to plunder me.
The mountains seemed deserted.
Not human being did we see save
two women and negro. all on horse
back. travelling In the same direction
as ourselves. l caught several glimpses
OF them, though always at distance,
aud wondered how II was that poor
white trash" to which class they ap-
pearcd to belong. could afford the at
tendance OF a slave.
When we halted for the night, which
we did about 8 o'clock In the afternoon,
the captain came up to me and told
ME they were going to take me to a
point near my old home. Knoxville,
where l would be required to sign a
check for 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. III l would do as he wish
ed. he would set me free. This knew
TO be lie. The gang would find a pre-
text to murder me whether signed the
document or not.
He left ME sitting on the ground,
leaning against log, contemplating
the horrors of my situation. If l did
not pay my ransom, should be MUIR
dered: II paid It, should be murder
ed. Ii was Hobson's choice. made
up my mind that 4 would attempt to
escape. get shot and thus end situa-
tion that was inflictng on me mental
torture far greater than any physical
pain mortal ever endured.
Casting my eyes inadvertently TO-
ward the road. saw two women pass.
ing northward and In another moment
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
followed her companion. l noticed
something familiar about their figures
The coarse texture Of their Jackets and
gowns and their upbecoming sunbon.
meta were ont Of keeping with their
graceful carriage. "If these women
knew." thought. ''that they were en-.
tering guerrilla camp. they would be
stricken with terror" When they
reached point dozen yards distant,
they paused, the one In advance call.
" Ing In q harsh voice:
"Can you uns tell US how "a tits T.
Tracyr'
Then beneath the homely check bon.
net. through the olive darkenlng Of her
complexion under the cheap calico. /
recognized Helen Stanforth. Her beau
tifui companion was none other than
my fascinating little friend who had
saved me from the impetuous wrath of
Captain Beaumont-JaQuellne Rutland
Had q pair OF angels come down
from heaven and liz on my shoulders
could not have been more astonished
rubbed my eyes. thinking that my vi
eion deceived me, but when I looked
again there was Helen sitting on her
horse. chatting with the guesrillas as
IL they were ordinary. persons. making
commonplace remarks In excellent dia.
Rect, with which long residence near
the mountains had made her familiar.
Jaqueiine remained short distance be.
hind her. For awhile I feared that
9aQueiine would betray them both, for
could see that she was trembling. But
presently all terror seemed to leave her.
uhs rode mp beside Helen and began
70 chan the men. at once attracting the
attention OF the whole band.
"YO're likely GAL" said one OF them.
cit DOWN offen that critter ana atay
awhile"
"CouldnT think Of It."
"Oh, yes. 20 kin" And hs walked
up and took hold of her bride rein.
"X0 Jim Canheld," cried Che aap.
tain. "lee that gyri aloner"
Tho captain advanced and invited the
swo vfsitors 80 el!sh$, promising shat
shey shouid be respected. yaaueline
save him grateful look as he helped
her on her horse with far more gal
santry than might have been expected
LSom the leader Of this gang of ruf.
9eas. Indeed there was something in
nioa bearing to make mo suspect that
20 bandit captain -aingold they cali.
2. some good southern family who haa,