The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-09-04


nearer to the patches of fleece I'm the
heavens and the stars looking down
from above. Then came n 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 glded
clouds In the east: the sun cast its first
beams over the heights and upon the
landscape below. We had reached the
upper level; we were on the plateau.
Espylng log house ahead, the men
consulted and determined TO try for
some breakfast. They took the gag
out Of my mouth, and rs soon as was
free to speak. anxious to be at once put
beyond suffering and the terrible sus'
pense OF an impending murder, cried:
"You dogs! You towards! You're
going to kill mel Why do you delayr'
They looked at each other knowingly
and grinned-a horrible. soulless grin.
"Do ye reckon yer goin ter git ter
heaven without pnyin fo tn damage ye
doneT snarled Jaycox. with an ugly
light In his eye.
"Ah, that's your gamer
1--WE know you uns ter be rs well
fxed fo' property as any young man in
Tennessee. An we're goin ter hev n
slice too. But yer needn't reckon thcts
goin ter save ye. 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 upv' snapped Jaycox, showing
bis teeth within 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 wantedT
smack"
"Hain't got nothin but pone."
"Got any coffeeT'
Coffee? D'y' reckon Abe Lincoln's
goln ter let us hev coffee away up In
these mOuntings when they hain't got
none down In tn towns? ! got yarb
III do purity waal, though"
My captors dismounted, breakfasted,
then arranged for short nap. one
watching while the other slept. Jay
cox first sprawled himself on the
ground and was asleep In twinkling,
while his comradc sat staring at me
with his gun ready cooked. knew
that II l made the slightest movement
with view to escape he would shoot
me. Occasionally lie looked inpatient
ly ut n handsome gold watch, doubtless
taken In spoil, as II anxious for the ex-
plration Of his hour of duty. Toward
the last he nodded. | was near some
low bushes and began to roll toward
them. He awoke with n start and
quick as fash brought his gun to his
shoulder.
"Yo houndv'
Jaycox opened his eyes and, seeing
murderous look in his companions 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 II ! tried the experiment again he
would tie me up by the thumbs.
0ASooCo tAio tottuic EuNe lO
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
I mounted. AS I put my foot in the
stirrup happened to glance aside and
saw two horsemen approaching. In
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. l
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 hyarT
"Ef thar's any vittels left" said Jay
coz. what 20 uns doln out this time
o. dayr
"Oh." said Buck-I trembled lest his
wits should desert him at a critical
moment-''Im takin this nigger to his
new master. He's Sold"
Eyer q peart un ter oliver a niger.
Reckon be don't mind goin with yer"
Buck and Ginger dismounted as we
departed. ! was obliged to part with
them without being able to utter a
word or make sign. Still, their pres
ence gave me hope. Hopel What
could simple negro and a boy do to
rescue me from two stalwart brutes
who were watching me like cats?
All day we moved northward. the
men riding close beside me. now and
again turning their ugly faces toward
me with grin Of satisfaction or a
scowI when ! did or said anything to
dispiease them. often bending close to