The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1903-10-29

AN0 SAAS
rope which had bound them. Together
they tied the captive's hands and
feet, and cautiously removing the
cloth from his head gagged him.
Gabriel flung open the door of the
other room.
"In here, massa, in here" he
whispered. And in they put him.
"Why did you do this Gabe?"
Worthington asked in a low tone,
when this much had been accomplish
ed. ut is useless. We can't possibly
escape. There are sentries posted in
the hall below and all around the
house."
"Nevah you mine, massa. Missy
Jane hab a way"
Godfrey thrilled at the name. Jane?
Was it possible she had interested
herself?
Was it Miss Jane who sent us the
food?" he asked. II supposed it was
Mrs. Ellery."
"Wal, you see, massa, it wah missy
what pahsuaded missus into sendin'
it, an I reckon it wah Miss Jane what
got Kunnel Bessemah to sign de
pahmit, l1ase we ah know huah kin
jes' twis' him 'roun' huah ingah like
dis" He cleverly initiated the twist
ing process. The light died out of
Godfrey's face.
can it wah Miss Jane too" the
darky went on, what got Aunt Rache
to put dat truck of Aunt Rache's old
mammy's in de wine"
Godfrey now understood what had
inspired Jane to make this attempt;
for it was an Ellery tradition how
Aunt Rachel's mother-a Voodoo
woman-had once saved her mis-
tress's family from an Indian massa-
ere by placing a jug of drugged
brandy within tempting reach of the
invading savages. They fell upon the
brandy before they fell upon the in
mates of the house, and by the time
the beverage had feen consumed they
Ire lying inert masses upon the
floor.
While it was clever in Jane to re-
sort to it now, Godfrey deprecated
her action, for it was likely to bring
trouble and expose to her without
aid to him. However, he reflected
rather bitterly, her influence with
Bessemer would enable her to escape
punishment even should her plot be
discovered.
There was agitation in the great
oak tree whose branches shaded the
garnet windows. The three men
started at the rustling sound; the
whites with apprehension, the black
with a knowing look.
Through the entry window was
thrust a long stick with a crook on
the end. To this crook was tied a
bundle. The stick swayed %nervously.
as though it were held by hands
scarce strong enough to support it.
Gabriel dashed to the window, seized
it, and laid the bundle triumphantly
at G~odfrey's feet.
"Thah you is, massa; than you is.
Missy Jane said herd do it, an her
hab Dis am a Britisher unifoahm.
All you's got to do am to put it on
mighty quick an walk down dem
steps big as life wild dis ohdah in YOU
ham. See, I took him from de red
coat jes like missy tole me to-" He
held up Bessemer's order admitting
him with the refreshments. Dem
redcoats amt goin' to read it. Dew
jes' see Kunnel Bessemah's name
'tached t. it, an dot's enough. DEVIL
tink you's a British ofisah, suah, am
when you gifts to de gate ah you's got
to do am to say de pass-wuhd, what
I'm Solitude Missy Jane huahed
Massa Edwahd say it ovah to a
gen'man tonight to make suah he
had it right"
Godfrey was paying slight heed to
the darkey. He was reading the note
Jane had attached to the uniform, in
which she urged haste.
Without a word of explanation or
apology, he began in the most high