The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-02-18


hausted and, worse than all else, lost.
So when at last little speck of light
suddenly shot out of the darkness he
hailed it as harbinger of shelter and
rest and hurried forward with renewed
hope.
He had taken less than a dozen
steps, however, when he found himself
face to face with a tall, determined
looking man and gun.
The two men scrutinized each other
narrowly, while half a dozen ruffians
gathered round. The man with the
gun finally broke the silence by saying:
''It's bad business, your coming
here young fellow; but since you have
come we'll have to attend to you,
guess"
With that he made a motion to the
other men, and they speedily bound
Jack hand and foot.
What does this mean?" Warner de-
manded.
ooh, nothing much" the man with
the gun replied. About all it means
is that you will have to take bath in
the Big spring, and anything that goes
in there never comes out"
Warner comprehended the mans
meaning now and. aghast with horror,
cried:
"Great God! Do you mean to drown
me?'
1--WE mean to put you where you
won't never tell no tales was the cool
reply.
Warner tried to collect his reasoning
faculties and speak calmly.
Before going any further let's sit
down and talk this matter over. There
is misunderstanding" he began.
The other slowly shook his head.
81 guess he replied, .'there amt no
misunderstanding our part, at
least. You made the mistake when you
came here to spy on US"
Fright there you are wrong" War
ner said. 81 did not come here to spy
on you"
"Ah, come! You can't fool us. If
you amt one Of them revenuers sneak
ing round to locate our still. what are
you doing here at this time of night
and in all this stormY
"Well, in the first place l am the
new schoolteacher In this district. I've
been here week, and you have proba-
bly, heard of me. In the second place,
this being Saturday, / spent the day
fishing, remained too late, and with
this rainstorm lost my way. In the
third place in my wanderings around
this morning accidentally stumbled
on this spot. Now there's the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the
truth, so help me-"
After pause the man with the gun
replied:
'4That may be so, but still I don't see
that 1t changes matters any. You'd be
most sure to report on us for the sake
of the reward"
'I'll pledge you my word of honor
that will never whisper to any living
mortal word of all this"
maybe you won't; but, you see, we
can't tell about that. Sometimes a
mans word and honor don't amount to
much, and we can't afford to take no
great chances. There's no use of all
this talk. We know our duty to our
selves, and we propose to do 1t. Boys,
bring him on and let's settle it."
Two men advanced and took Warner
by the arms to lead him away to the
Big spring. Pale with terror, he cried:
"Great Godl Would you murder
meY"
ut is better for you to go that way
than for US to go at the end of a rope.
Loosen his feet, boys, so he can step
along"
They cut the cord about Warmers
legs and started forward into the
woods But a woman, her face white
and anxious, her hair flying wildly In
the wind, barred their way.
''For Gods sake, Liz the man with
the gun cried, what's up"
They're hereH' she gasped. Then,
clasping her hands and looking into his
face appealingly, she added: go, quick,
Jake ! Fly before they get you"
What are you talking about" Jake
demanded. "Who is it? Not the
Yes, yes; the reyenuers! The cab
ms surrounded, and they're searching
the woods. slipped away, but most
likely they seen me. Don't wait, Jake.
but go quickp'
His face darkened, and dangerous
light came to his eyes.
ID emp he said bitterly. LET
'em come! I'll get some of 'em before
they get me- Then Then, turning to his
men, he added: 'Stand back out Of the
light, boys. so that you can't be seen.
Wait a minute! This man has been
spying on us, and wen fix him for it
first"
With that he struck of into the
woods, commanding two Of his men to
follow with Warner and the others,
with Liz. to hide.
After covering about thirty yards
along the side of the mountain he stop
ped on the brink of dark hole. 1t was
the Big spring, that greedily swallows
up everything that falls q prey to it
and gives nothing back.
A cold chill of horror went over
Warner as he heard the water boiling
and bubbling down there in the dark.
Throw him In, boys" Jake said
c0Ollx