Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-05-01
CHAPTER TX.

inc ndnuS OF tnaC terr1Dle war
time scourge Of the south, the
guerrilla. This band had been
made up In east Tennessee and had
moved out Of their original stamping
ground to get away from their old
homes and find better field for pill
lage. From the Cumberland plateau
they could swoop down toward Nash
vile, Murfreesboro, McMlnnville, Shell
byville. Fayette or Huntsville and,
II chased, could easily take to the
mountains. where 1t was difficult to fol-
low them. On one Of their forays Tom
Jaycox and Pete Halliday had got
wind Of my whereabouts and, with
several Of the gang. including the man
had shot, had gone down to look after
me. The country in and about Hunts
vile was too civilized for open assas-
sination. and Jaycox. after the failure
Of the attempt on my life, had pro-
cured my arrest as a spy. Then fol-
lowed the plan to kidnap me and force
me into a payment Of money before the
flnal revenge.
We bivouacked where we had met
the band on the plateau, under the
trees that waved above us. their
sprouting leaves lighted up by our
campfire. lay awake the greater part
Of the night. watching for an oppor-
tunity to escape. but one sentry after
another was placed over me, and morn
ing came without my having made the
attempt.
At sunrise we moved northward, as
on the day before. my captors still
keeping n strict watch over me. Dur
ing the day Jaycox pushed on in ad-
vance. Why l did not know, but sur
missed that his going had something to
do with the plan to plumber me.
The mountains seemed deserted.
Not a human being did we see save
two women and a negro. all on horse
back. travelling in the same direction
as ourselves. l caught several glimpses
Of them. though always at a distance,
and wondered how 1t was that poor
white trash" to which class they ap-
peared to belong. could afford the at
tendance of n slave.
When we halted for the night, which
we did about 8 o'clock In the afternoon,
the captain came up to me and told
me they were going to take me to a
point near my old home, Knoxville.
where I would be required to sign q
check for a large amount all they
could squeeze out Of me. but II there
were not sufficient funds to my credit
In the bank / must execute papers that
would enable him to convert property
into money. II would do as he wish
ed. he would set me free. This l knew
to be a lie. The gang would find pre-
text to murder me whether signed the
document or not.
He left me sitting on the ground.
leaning against a log, contemplating
the horrors Of my situation. II did
not pay my ransom, l should be MUIR
dered; II paid II, l should be murder
ed. 1t was Hobson's choice. l made
up my mind that l would attempt to
escape, get shot and thus end situa-
ton that was lnflicting on me a mental
torture far greater than any physical
pain mortal ever endured.
Casting my eyes inadvertently to-
ward the road. saw two women pass
Ing northward and In another moment
recognized them as those ! had noticed
on the march. To my surprise. one of
them turned and rode toward us. The
other hesitated, started on, turned and
followed her companion. l noticed
something familiar about their figures.
The coarse texture of their jackets and
gowns and their unbecoming sunbon-
nets were out of keeping with their
graceful carriage. IF these women
knew" I thought, "that they were en-
tering a guerrilla camp, they would be
stricken with terror" When they
reached point dozen yards distant
they paused. the one In advance cali
ing In harsh voice:
Can you uns tell US how IA Ills Z
Tracy"
Then beneath the homely check bon.
net, through the olive darkenlng Of her
complexion under the cheap calico.
recognized Helen Stanforth. Her beau
tiful companion was none other than
my fascinating little friend who had
saved me from the impetuous wrath Of
Captain Beaumont-Jaqueline Rutland.
Had a pair Of angels come down
from heaven and lit on my shoulders
l could not have been more astonished.
rubbed my eyes. thinking that my VI.
sion deceived me. but when | looked