The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-27
CHAPTER Xxx.
A MASQUERADE.

what became of the others aid not at
lempt to discover I made straight FOR the
blacksmith shop and found a smith at
his forge.
my good man." said. I'm followed
by guerrillas. They'll be in the town In
few minutes. Can't you give me your
clothes and let me take your place at the
forge7'
He stood with his hand on tho handle
OF the bellows looking at me while what
said was slowly making its way through
his skull.
.'WeeI. noo." he said at last.
''Scotch-I knew It. I'll be taken be-
fore l can make him understand" Then
20 him. do you want 10 save me from
death by guerrillas?'
Certain, mon"
''Then take of that apron and give II
20 me at once. Not a moment TO lose.
At this juncture the desperate position
was IN entered his BRAIN and he work
cd quickly enough once he realized what
was wanted. | saw a woolen shirt wei
begrmed, hanging on a nail and. seizing
A, pat II on. Then l took the smiths
apron, rolled up my sleeves, smeared my
arms with cinders and looked into hit
OF broken mirror resting against the
wooden wall 20 observe the effect | was
disappointed 20 see that my face belied
my calling.
"Your rszor." exclaimed TO the black
smith.
He went through n door leading from
tho shop TO his dwelling and returned
with razor soap and hot water. In fve
minutes l had shorn my beard. leaving
dark stubble then, seizlng handful or
coke. rubbed out every refined lineament.
Taking another look at myself j was
pleased TO see that my own mother
would not know me. Selling the handle
OF the bellows. / began TO blow vigorous
ly
"weel, weel," laughed the blacksmith.
'ye max "A better lo'kin smith than geen-
tlemon"
"Play your own part WELL" 1 replied.
"and / have something nice for you at
the end OF the performance"
Ii was fully Is minutes after we reached
the hamlet before there were any signs OF
the guerrilas, and then three or four
rode into the town and asked for our
party. Had they seen us? Which way had
we gone? and other questions. which the
few people they met responded 10 with
grunt or shake OF the head l put my
head out 10 see and. recognizing one of
them. drew back and began TO blow my
bellows as II my life depended on It. And
II did. Presently one OF the outlaws rode
up TO the shor.
Hello, thar he shouted.
adls 4 TtpltN sui bioNinB ultu
keeping my face turned from him.
"Seen man. two women. boy an a
nigger go through the town?"
"Hain't seen no one"
"sho'?"
"Sho' nun"
He rode off, but knew the storm had
not yet blown over. / went on working
the bellows. and It was well did so, for
presently more OF the band rode into
town. and one of the horses having lost
shoe. its rider dismounted in front OF the
shop and told me 10 put 81 on.
This was something ] had not counted
on. / knew no more about horse-shoeng
than about knitting, but put bold face
on the matter and went TO work
What the yo' doin?' yelled the
man. Air yo goin ter put that shoe on
with nary trimmin?"
Don't yo' spose l know my business?"
] cried, bristling. II was only fittin IT,"
with that / seized a knife and began TO
cut. But l was too excited 10 pare the
hoof even IL had been an expert, and In
another moment the man yelled again
"Ef 'yo cut that critteer's hoof on I'll
brain yo'r'
Here. Sandy" cried TO the black
smith within. come shoe this mans crit
ter. He thinks he knows more'n do about
shoein."
The blacksmith finished the Job. while
], pretending 10 be greatly irritated. was
glad 20 escape into his dwelling house.
Going to a front window and dropping
curtain so that could look into the road
without being seen, took view OF the
situation. The guerrillas were scattered
about the town. some riding around the
houses hunting for US. others sitting on
their horses, questining the inhabitants
as to our whereabouts Captain Ringold
was in command. A negro boy was play
ing ''hopscotch" on the sidewalk. The
captain called TO him:
"Yo' boy thar, didn't yo' see anybody
70 this way awhile ago?"
1.-TWO women an a boy bout big s
me?"
yes"
"An white man an colored man?"
Eyes. Which way did they go?'
"Dey's gwine right long dar." And he