Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-10-21

costume. was an athlete aud in good
| training; magician has to be- The
] roar OF the river told me the road.
and rs sped away into the darkness 1
ran full upon a man and Knocked him
| fiat. The mischief was done. The
/ view halloo OF the man hunt rang in
| the air. and, with a roar, the pack of
human hounds was ON my trail Down
the road | went ut my best speed
good hundred yards in advance of efe
van OF my pGrsuers. Presently be-
came aware Of a brightness in front of
me, and. eovling around turn. saw
half dozen negroes seated around a
fire at the roadside. There was but one
thing to do. With a demoniac roar
charged them. It was rs had hoped.
The sight Of scarlet and black devil
leapIng at them from out the biackness
they plunged into the brush. and the
sound Of their frantic prayers bore me
company as ! sprinted past the Ere. 1t
would have made a ccrkIng fine poster
that scene, THE Apparition OF Fyro.'
Then shot sounded out behind me.
and put my thoughts into my heels.
was gaining on the pursuit when my
feet splashed into water and | was up
10 my knees before could check.
| wasn't In the river, for | could hear
the food roaring well 20 the right OF
me: besides, this water was stagnant.
The true nature Of the pool flashed into
nay head: it was a bnckwater from the
river that had flooded the road and was
probably but a short distance across.
But IL the miners knew OF any path
around they could head me of. as my
progress through the water would be
slow, even ii did not have TO swim for
it and lose my bearings. Nevertheless,
straight ahead was my only chance.
Before | had got waist deep there
was flicker OF light on the bank, and
by the glow of brand which they had
snatched from the negroes fire saw a
group Of my pursuers peering out
toward nae.
He's taken to the water" said one.
"Then we've got him. cried another.
"Bill, you and Bibbey get around and |
head him off. :"
j kept on till the water was at nay |
shoulders Then something chobed me |
like 4 rope around my neck. | had |
heard about the choking feeling of de- |
spair, and | thought this was 1t. ] |
staggered aud almost fell back as a |
strange thick smell clogged my nose. |
On the surface of the water there was |
a bubbling and chuckling. | could feel |
it at my feet too. 1t was queer, but |
queer things don't make much differ
ence to a man who Is going to be |
hanged in five minutes. That was my |
first thought Then had a better one. |
l remembered the high water and the |
gas, and l knew what that bubbIing |
was and was ready to take the chance |
and do special turn for my life.
OF course | had to have some talk.
You don't get tile full effect Of these
things without good spiel. The only
thing / could think of was a patter
from book called the Last Days of
Pompeii," SO | gave 'em that.
Earth born Villains" / shouted "he-
hold how the ayenging Orcus spouts
forth flames from the face Of the wa
tiers to protect its ownl''
There were, answering shouts from |
all around the pond: There be isr'
Where's the roper
Silence" yelled. and beholdn'
Then flashed my electric spark into |
the middle of the gas and dove. When |
came up ten yards away after stay
ing down as long as could, there was |
big circle OF red. yellow and blue |
flame dancing beautifully over the wa
ter On the shore the brands flickered, |
but they east light only on trees and |
bushes. There wasn't living being in
sight, but all around there were a |
mighty crashing of brush and bowls |
that would shame catamount. The |
miners lodge had chased the devil just |
as far as they wanted to. My act was
a sure enough hit
| crawled out on the opposite side
and went on to Carton IN boat that ] |
found. Two days later my assistant
came along. Sledge Turner wasn't dead |
after ALL That's the reason they hadn't |
lynehed Bob. He said IT Id so back |
there | could play to S. r. 0. for
month. but ! couldn't see it. I'd had |
enough But 1t was great ad. for me.
Some day I'm going to make an act out
ofthat nights work.