The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-20
cHAPTED VIII.
ON THE PLATEAU.

ON THE PLATEAU.
On. on we sped. under starlight. over
stony pike. steel shod hoofs striking fire
on inty stones, snake fences writhing
trees dancing In a semicircie about those
beyond. We dashed over wooden bridges;
we splashed through shallow streams: we
dipped into hollows and tilted over crests,
while now and again some startled bird
stretched It's wings and went whirring In
a. the forest.
On my right rode Tom Jaycox, holding
my bride rein, his ugly face turned always
toward me. Every crime nodded feature
Ibis cold. steel eye, his knitted overhang-
Ing brows-spoke one word. "Vengeancel'
On the other side galloped a man, long,
lean, hungry. grinding uneasily on quid.
did not know his name. but memory
brought me a picture OF that same face
lighted by shotguns flashing I'm the night.
Our breakneck speed lasted till we had
put some miles between us and the plan
tation. then we slackened our pace and
walked our painting horses till they had
partly recovered their wind. then struck
trot. IL was immaterialiy 10 me at
what gait we moved l thought only of
my approaching end. Surely II could not
be far distant Why did IL not come at
once? A pistol ball. a club-anything Is
enough 10 take a life. Then ] shuddered
as the thought struck me that was to be
kept for a more lingering death.
We were passing between range OF
hills on our left and the Cumberland
plateau on our right when Jaycox drew
rein, and we all came 10 a halt There
was sound Of horses hoofs behind COM
ing at a brisk canter but no sooner had
we stopped than the sound ceased. Both
the men listened until all was silent, then
Jaycox started on.
"All right, Pete" he said. Whoever II
Is has either stopped or left the road"
nm trgif In I Enn
1--WE proceeded on our way, but had
gone scarcely quarter OF a mile when we
again heard the hoof beats I'm our rear.
Again we pulled up and listened.
"By gosh. Tom" said Pete, tibet beats
me.'
"Shet upv'
Both listened waiting TO hear the
sounds renewed, but as they were not
we started on. For the second time the
hoof beats recommended and this time
little nearer
1--WE must git outen this" said Jaycox.
Lets take ter the hill here instead o
furder on"
Turning to the right. we passed through
timber. beginning a gradual ascent OF the
plateau. Jaycox rode ahead. holding my
bride rein. while Pete followed revolver
In hand Who were on the road knew no
more than my abductors. but as
drowning man will catch at a straw /
them know OF our disgressfon. Bending
low in the saddle. / peered through the
gloom, watching for something with
which to produce sound. for my gag pre-
vented my shouting. and a shout would
have brought punishment. Coming upon
a fiat rock. by pressure OF the knees
/ guided my hcrse over IL. but Is was too
firmly irnbeddhl TO be moved. Soon after
I encountered another right on the edge OF
the trail. Digging my heels into my
horses fianks and forcing my body out OF
equilibrium, ] forced him to prance. A
vigorous pull on my bride rein by Jay
cox saved him from going over the In
cline, carrying me with him. But had
accomplished my purpose. l heard the
stone go crashing down the mountain.
You internal dog" cried the man In
the rear. ''ef yer do thet agin I'll run
knife atwixt yer shouldersv
''Ef he does IL ag'in, yer needn't trouble
yerself ter stick him. The fall 'ud finish
him"
Higher, higher we mounted. farther
from the dark plain below, upon which
here and there shone "A lonely light; near
er 10 the patches OF fleece In the heavens
and the stars looking down from above.
Then came faint light In the sky and
q gray tinge over the country below.
Woods. streams, fields, houses, barns,
grew out OF the darkness. The light
brosdened; there were gilded clouds In
the east, the sun cast llS urSt Dtdfns over
the heights and upon the landscape below.
We had reached the upper level we were
on the plateau.
Espying a log house ahead. the men
consulted and determined TO try for some
breakfast. They took the gag out OF my
mouth, and as soon as ! was FREQ TO
speak anxious TO be at once put beyond
suffering and the terrible suspense OF an
impending murder, i cried:
You dogs You cowardsl You're going
70 kill me- Why do you delay?'
They looked at each other knowingly
and grinned-a horrible. souless grin.
do ye reckon yer goin ter git ter
heaven without payin 70 tn damage ye
done?" snarled Jaycox. with an ugly light
In his eye.
"Ah, that's your gamer
"we know you uns ter be as well fixed
20 property as any young man In Tennes-
see An we're goin ter hev a slice too.
But yer needn't reckon thet's goin ter
save ye. Yer got ter shell out, an them
His look told the rest.
"Give me one shot with my back against
Q tree, and I'll fight two such towards as
you"
"shet up" snapped Jaycox. showing
his teeth within foot OF my face and
with a glance like that OF an angry bull
dog. Then, riding up to the entrance OF
the hut. he shouted
"uello thar!'
An old woman came to the door with an
IRON spoon I'm her hand.
WAL, what's wanted7"
Smack"