Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-08-09
CHAPTER vI1.-(Continued.)

you forgive our lass"
Bart, old lad" said Abel, hoarsely,
1--WE naught to forgive"
"Haw calculated Bart, and then he be.
gan to whistle softly, as IL In the highest
Of spirits, and looked longingly In the
direction Of the jungle beside the mud
creek; but three days elapsed before they
were set to hoe among the coffee bushes
again.
When they approached the jungle at
last, hoeing more slowly--for, much as
they longed to go up at once. they knew
that any unusual movement on their part
might be interpreted by watchful eyes
into an attempt at escape and bring
down upon them shot--Bart's voice
trembled and sounded hoarsely as he said,
playfully:
"Now, Abel. my lad, I'm going to talk
to that there poll parrot. Now. then,
Polly! Pretty Polly. are you there"
Eyes. yes. Bart. Abel, dear brother, ut
last, at last!' came from the jungle.
"Mary-Polly. my girlv' cried Abel,
hoarsely. as he threw down his hoe: and
he was running toward the jungle, where
q crashing sound was heard, when Bart
flung his strong arms across his chest and
dashed him to the ground.
Are you madY" he cried. MARY, for
Gods sake keep back"
The warning was needed, for from
across the plantation the overseer and a
couple Of soldiers came running, every
movement on the part Of the prisoners be-
ing watched.
'Sham III, lad; sham Ill.," whispered
Bart, as q pitcous sigh came from The
deptha Of tho Jingle
"Fighting. sir! growled Bart: rum
fighting. He nearly went down."
He was trying to escape"
"Escapev srowlcd Bart. Look at
him. Suns hot"
The ovcrsecr bent down over Abel.
whose aspect helped the Illusion, for he
looked chastity from his emotion; and he
had presence Of mind enough to open his
eyes, look about wildly from face to face.
and then begin to struggle up, with one
hand to his head.
rs II the fayver. sor?" said one of the
soldiers, whose name was Dinny Kelly.
''No. Touch Of the sum-" said the over.
seer. They're always getting 1t. There,
you're all right. ar'n't your
"Ycs. sir" said Abel, slowly, as he
picked up his hoe.
few minutes" said the overscer. "Iend
him your water bottle, soldier. And you
stop with him TIL he's better"
Bart took the water bottle; and as the
ovcrseer went on with his guard Abel
was assisted to the edge Of the jungle
where huge cotton tree threw Its shade;
and here Bart held the water to his com.
panion's lips.
Il was hard work to keep still while
the others went out Of hearing: but at
last It seemed safe, and Abel painted out:
"Mary, dear. are you thereT'
"Yes. yes. Abel. oh. my dear brother,
say one kind word to met"
'Kind word? Oh. my lass, my lass,
say that you forgive mc!'
'Forgive you! Yes. But quick, dear.
before those men come back"
"Tell me, then" said Abel. speaking
with hts back TO the jungle, and his head
bent down a. II III, while Bart leaned
over him, trembling like q leaf. tell me
how you came to be here"
Il came over In ship to Kingston.
Then l went to New Orleans. Then to
Honduras. And It was only q fortnight
ago that I found you"
But how did you come hereT'
eve got small boat, dear. ] asked
and asked for months before could find
out where you were. I've been to other
plantations, and people have thought me
mad; but one day l stumbled across the
sailors Of ship that comes here with
stores from the station, and heard them
say that there were q number Of prison
ers working at this place; and at last,
after waiting and watching for weeks.
caught sight Of you two. and then II
was month before could speak to you
~ ] did the other day."
"And now you have come" said Abel,
bitterly. II can't even look at you"
But you will escape DEAR" said Mary.
"Escape!' cried Abel. excitedly.
STEADY. lad. steady. Member you're
ilw, growled Bart, glancins toward the
nearest sentry, and then holding up the
bottle 40 II to zee how much was within.
Eyes. escape" said Mary. II have the
boat ready. Can you come nowy'
impossible! We shonld he overtaken
and shot before We had gone miie.~
"But you must escape" said Mary.
"You must get down here by night"
'How?" said Bart, grufly.
"You two must settle that" said Mary.
quickly. II am only q woman: but !
have found means TO get here with q
boat, and I can come again aud again
till you Join me-"
'Then be cautious. Only come BY
night"
II know. Trust me. win not be
seen. will do nothing rash. Tonight.
- soon as 1t grows dark, shall be here
expecting you. for shall not stir. At
daybreak shall 70, aud come again at
night" 4,
"And mind the sentries."
''Trust me. Abel. ! shall not come
now by day for six days. Ii at the end
Of six nights you have not been able to
escape, shall come for six days by day,
hoping that you may be more successful
In the daylight; for perhaps you will find
that q bold dash will help to get you
away" d
But the risk-the risk. girl, to your
abel. dear. ! nm here to risk every
thing. ! have risked everything to join
you"
Eyes" he said, hoarsely. But after
ward. II we do escape?"
leave the plans to me-" she said. with
q little laugh. II have boat and sail, and
the world Is very wide. Only escape.
Take care; the men ave coming back"
Five days passed, and the prisoners
were not sent again to the Gearing, while,
In spite of every effort. they found that
their chances of Guiding the guard set
over them by night were small indeed.