The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-20
'Hain't got nothin but pone. {"

got any coneeT
Coffee? by reckon Abe Lincoln's goin
ter let US hev coffee away up In these
mountains when they hain't got none
down In tn towns? got yarb IL do
purity waal though"
My captors dismounted. breakfasted
then arranged for a short nap. one
watching while the other slept Jaycox
first sprawled himself on the ground and
was asleep in a twinkling. while his COM
rade sat staring at me with his gun
ready cooked. l knew that II | made the
slightest movement with view to es-
cape he would shoot me. Occasionally
he looked impatiently at handsome gold
watch, doubtless taken In spoil. as IL
anxious for the expiration OF his hour OF
duty. Toward the last he nodded. l was
near some low bushes and began 10 roll
toward them. lie awoke with start
and quick as a flash brought his gun 10
his shoulder.
"Yo' houndl"
Jaycox opened his eyes and. seeing a
murderous look IN his companions face
and a gun right over his foot pointed
at me, kicked the weapon upward, dis
charging Il, thus doubtless for the time
saving my life.
This finished the first watch. and Jay
cox took his turn, admonishing me that
II | tried the experiment again he would
tie me up by the thumbs. / dreaded this
torture and gave him no cause TO enforce
IL. Besides, he kept awake during his en-
tire watch.
|, The men having secured the needed
rest, We broke our bivouac, Jaycox loos-
ened the horses, and his companion kept
me covered with his gun while i mount
ed. As / put my foot In the strrup
happeneed to glance aside and saw two
horsemen approaching. In a moment I
recognized Buck Stanforth and Ginger.
How they came to be there was mys-
terry. ] only knew they were there and
rejoiced. At seeing me Buck was about
TO give a shout when he bethought him
self that such a proceeding might be
fatal and regained his composure just as
his presence was discovered. Ginger
showed no signs OF recognition whatever.
shot quick glance at Jaycox TO see
II 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 10 eat hyar?"
"Ef thar's any vittels left" said jay
cox. What yo' uns doin out this time
o. day."
"Oh." said Buck-I trembled lest his
wits should desert him at a critical mo-
ment-"1'm takn this Niger to his new
master. He's sold"
"Yer a peart un ter oliver a Niger.
Reckon he don't mind goin with YER
Buck and Ginger dismounted as we
departed / was Obliged 10 part with
them without being able to utter
word or make sign. Still. their pres
ence gave me hope. Hope What
could a simple negro and a boy DO TO
rescue me from two stalwsrt 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
scowl when / did OF said anything TO
displease them, often bending close to
me, sickenng me with their rank to-
bacco smelling breathes or the worse
odor OF their unwashed bodies. We met
no one. The only comfort j derived was
from the natural objects Of the noun
tans A red fox stole away under cover;
a chipmunk. fearless and free, sat on
log, looking at US curiously as we passed;
a budding wild rose brushed my boot; II
was like the kiss OF a loving companion;
even the twittering birds seemed TO be
Offering sympathy.
Toward evening. as the sun stood just
above the horizon, a dull red ball,
shadow resting on the lower landscape.