The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-21

ficiently furnished. over the two tiny
windows, one on either side, hung dark I
calico curtains. The door was closed, but I
Breakspear thought 1t had probably not
been locked on the other side, as Eagle
face YVES so certain Of his prisoners SCI
curity, 1t would scarcely have been worth
his while to take further precautions.
Now, If only he could free his hands, the
game would be his after all. But how to
do it?
His eyes Travelled back to tho lantern.
If he could get hold of it and open 1t, he
might be able to burn enough strands OF
the rope which tied his wrists to snap
those that remained; but as his hands |
were fastened behind him, the task would
require more skill, Jim feared, than he
possessed. Still there would be no harm
in trying; tho he must be careful not
to make a noise or the driver and his
companion on the seat in front might hear
and come to inquire it's meaning.
There is a certain exercise practiced by
athletes which consists in lying flat on
the back, with the arms crossed on the
chest. and then slowly rising to a sitting
posture. This exercise Jim had often
done, but now, when he tried it with his
arms behind him, it was much more diff
ficult, while the pain In his wounded side
was so intense that he could hardly re Il
press a groan Of impatient suffering.
re succeeded at laSC, however, anu sat
up, so near to the swinging lantern that
he could touch it with his shoulder; but
tho he twisted and tugged with all his re-
naming strength, he could not loosen the
knot which held the rope round his wrists.
Perhaps If can't do the trick In one
way, can in another he said, doggedly,
to himself; and, bending forward, and
stretching out his neck, he took the ring
by which the lantern hung from it's ,nail
between his teeth. Gripping 1t tightly
he set 1t down in this fashion on the floor
Then he worked his body round until
his back was turned to the lantern. His
fingers were slightly numb, as the pressure
of the rope on his wrist impeded the cir
culation of his blood, but bound as he was,
one hand crossed over the other, the palms
of both turned outwards, he twisted his
head around, felt for the fastening which
opened the lantern, and finally got 1t be-
tween thumb and finger.
So far, so good But, now the hardest
part was to come, for he had to burn the
rope on his wrists without burning his
hands also and rendering himself perhaps
even more helpless than at present. Be-
his shoulder to see what was going on
behind his back, he ran the risk Of knock
ing the lantern over and putting out the
light, when all hope would indeed be at an
end.
He pushed his wrists forward, and
DenC MS Hd1luS DdCk. Lie uedI VI Tic
flame in the lantern touched his flesh.
He knew from this that he must be close
to it; and then presently the smell Of
charred rope came up to his nostr1le. He
would do the trick after all. Hotter and
hotter grew the fame. It was .scorching
now, but he could bear it well; there was
! even kind Of fierce pleasure in this new
pain. When it seemed possible that the
charring process had gone on long enough
to accomplish it's object, he tried to break
the rope, but it would not yield, and 80
he must begin again. Twice this hap
pened; but with the third trial his heart
| leaped as he felt the strands giving way.
At the end Of half an hour. perhaps, from
| the commencement Of the strange ex-
pertinent, Jims hands were free; and II
his wrists and palms were scorched and
tingling, that was detail. o. !;
With a great sigh of relief, he set to
work at untying the intricate knot which
fastened the rope round his ankles. When
that was done, there was only closed
door between him and freedom.
He tried it softly, being in no condition
for a fight, even with an adversary ne
might despise when in full vigor. AS he
had hoped, the door was not locked. He
set it open, and kept it so with the box
which had been under sthe shelf, his idea
being to slip out of the caravan without
letting the driver and the drivers COM
panion suspect what had happened be-
hind their backs
! With this plan in his head, he sat down
again. his legs pushed thru the doorway,
his stick in his hand once more, and his
feet dangling over the steps. Slowly, he
edged himself further out, moving with
caution, that no sudden jerk of the
vehicle should startle the two on the seat
in front. Presently he was sitting on the
upper step, then on the lower, his feet
touching the ground. At last he let him
self drop, the caravan going on without
him. ... .. .-...' 49,.
| Breakspear had landed on his knees
among the heather, for the house on
wheels had deserted the road now, and for
a a moment or two he did not move, won
dering whether he should see the caravan
! brought to sudden stop. But it kept on
it's way only the horse realizing that the
load had suddenly become lighter.
Seeing that luck had been with him so
far jim determined to try it still further.
He was certain that Eagle-face had some
scheme which had rendered his (Break-
spear's) absence from New-Take farm
. peculiarly desirable, and he wanted, II
possible to find out what that scheme was.
The caravan was proceeding leisurely,
after the manner of such vehicles, and,
; getting to his feet with a vince of pain,
Jim pursued it. Fortunately, the moon
had set, and there was no light save that
> of the stars, shining thru rents in gath
ering clouds. His feet made but slight
sound as he trod the heather, and such
faint cracklings as there was could not
be heard over the creaking Of the\wheels
, and the steady pledding Of the horses
, , hoofs. In few minutes Breakspear was
, walking alongside the caravan, keeping
: close beside it, just out of sight of the
! front seat, unless it's occupants bent from
: their places on purpose to look back
! From this point of vantage he could
,r.thear almost every word that was said be
N tween the two confederates. The mar
, was speaking at first, and Jim, with ne
remorse for his eavesdroppng, listened
;. eagerly.
9 II have given her CHASTITY fright thi:
y time" Eagle-face was complacently say
q ing. II don't think she'll fail to show
q herself tomorrow at Satans Tor-the
a place of her own choice"
+ "Supposing she does fall what then?'
asked the woman. And Jim Breakspea,
could scarcely believe his own ears; TO-
q the voice was that Of Vivien Oakley.
Il "In that case, which is improbable,
q shall send her a warning"
q "And then, if she should still be OBJ
s stinate?"
!, 'Then-well, then I should proceed t.
h extreme measures, arrangements to carr.
s out which I have already taken the pre-
Ino1 to q