Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-01-24

costume. l was an athlete and in good
training: magician has 10 he. The
roar of thc river told me the road.
and as sped away into the darkness
ran full upon man and Knocked MIN
fiat The mischief was done. The
view halloO of the man hunt rang III
the air. and, with Il roar. the pack or
human hounds WIS on my trail. Down
ihc road | went ut my best speed Il
good hundred yards in advance of the
van of my pursuerS. Presently | be-
came aware Of Il brightness III front oi
me. and, coming around Il turn. saw
half Il dozen negruG@ seated around Il
lire mt the roadside There was but one
thing to do. With Il dcn"niac roar l
charged them. 1t waS as had hoped.
The sight of Il scarlet and black devil
leapng 1T them from out the blacknesS
of night WAS enough. Like rabbits
they plunged into the brush. and the
sound of their frantic prayers bore me
company as Sprintcd past the fire. 1T
would have made Il corking fine poster
that scene. THE Apparition of PyrO.
Then Il shot sounded out behind me,
and put my thoughts into my heels. !
was gaining on the pursuit when my
feet splnS shed into water and | WAS up
to INV knees before | could check.
| wasn't in the river. for | could hear
the food roaring well to the right Of
me: besides, this water was stagnant.
The true nature of the pool flashed into
my head: it was Il backwatcr from the
river that had flooded the road and was
probably but short distance across.
But if the miners knew of any path
around they could head me off. as my
progress through the water would he
slow. even if did not have to swim for
it and lose my bearings. Nevertheless.
straight ahead was my only chance.
Before | had got waist deep there
w:s Il flicker of light on tn" bank, and
by the glow of Il brand which they had
snatched from the negroes fire ! saw
group of my pursuers peerinG out
toward me.
Hes taken to the water. said one.
"rhen we'Nr got him." cried another.
"Bill. you and Hibbey get around and
head him off.
| kept on till the water waS ut my
shoulders. Then something choked me
like Il rope around my neck. had
heard about the choking feeling OF de-
Spair. and thought this was it. |
staggered aud almost fell back as Il
strange, thick smell cloGged my nose.
ON the surface of the water there was
IA bubbling and chuckling. l could feel
it ut my feet too. 1t was queer, but
queer things don't make much differ
ence to Il man who is going to be
hanged in five minutes. That was my
first thought. Then had n better one.
| remembered the high water and the
gas, and knew what that bubbling
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 the full effect of these
things without a good spiel. The only
thing | could think of was Il patter
from book called the Last Days Of
Pompeii." so gave 'em that.
Earth born villains" | shouted, he
hold how the nvenging Orcus spOuts
forth flames from the face of the wa
terS to protect its OWN
There wer" answering shouts from
all around the pond There he is!"
"Where's the ropc:"
SILENCE" yelled "and behold"
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
Il big circle of red. yellow and blue
flame dancing beautifully over the wa
ter On the shore the brands fickcrcd,
but they cast light only on trees and
bushes There wasn't living being in
sight. but all around there were a
mighty crashing Of brush and howls
that would shame n catamount. The
miners lodge had chased the devil just
as far as they wanted to. My act was
Il sure enough hit
| crawlcd out on the opposite side
and went on to Carton in Il boat that
found. Two days later my assistant
came along. Slcdgc Turner wasn't dead
after ALL That's the reason they hadn't
lynchcd Bob. He said If I'd go back
there | could play to s. Il. .. for a
month. but | couldn't see it, I'd had
enough. But II was IL great al. for me.
Some day I'm going to make an act out
OF that nights work.