The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-01-01
(CONTINUEG.l


at what gait we moved. | thought only
of my approaching end Surely it could
not be far distant. Why did it not
come at once? \ pistol ball. club
anything is enough to take life. Then
| shuddered as the thought struck me
that was to be kept for more linger-
ing death.
We were passing between n range Of
hills on our left and the Cumberland
plateau on our right when JaycoX drew
rein, and we all came to Il halt. There
was Il sound Of horses hoofs behind,
coming ut brisk canter but no sooner
had we stopped than the sounds ceased.
Both the men listened until all was ST.
lent, then JaycoX started en-.
"All right, Pete" he said. "Whoever
1t is has either stopped or left the
road"
"Somc I'm goin homo late, reckon"
We proceeded on our way. but had
gone scarcely Il quarter of n mile when
we again heard the hoof beats In our
rear. Again we pulled up and listened.
"By gosh, Tom," said Pete, tibet
beats me!'
"Sbet up"
Both listened. waiting to hear the
sounds renewed, but as they were not
we started on. For the second time the
| hoof beats recommended and this time
| a little nearer.
I'VE must git outen this" said Jay
cox. Lets take ter the hills here in
| stead O furdcr on"
Turning to the right, we passed
| through timber. beginning gradual
| ascent Of the plateau. JaycoX rode
ahead, holding my bride rein, while
| Pete followed, revolver in hand.
Who were on the read | knew no
| more than my abductors, but as a
| drowning man will catch ut straw
| cast about for some method of letting
| them know Of our DEPRESSION. BENDING
| low in the saddle. | peered through the
| gloom, watching for something with
| which to produce sound, for my gag
prevented my shouting, and q shout
| would have brought punishment. Com
| ing upon a fiat rock, by Il pressure Of
the knees l guided my horse over it.,
| but 1t was too firmly imbeddcl 10 be
moved. Soon after | encountered an
other right on the edge of the trail.
| Digging my heels into my horses
| TANKS and forcing my body out Of
equilibrium, I.forced him to prance. A
vigorous pull on my bride rein by
| JaycoX saved him from going over the
incline, carrying me with him. But
| had accomplished my purpose. heard
| the stone 90 crashing down the noun
tain.
You Internal dog" cried the man in
the rear, "ef yer do tibet ag'in III run
| q knife atwiXt yer shoulders.'
EFF he does it ag'in, yer needn't trou-
| BILE yerself ter stick him. The fall 'ud
| finish him"
Higher, higher, we mounted. farther
| from the dark plain below, upon which
here and there shonc lonely light;
| nearer to the patches CT fleece In the
heavens and the stars looking down
| from above. Then came faint light
| In the sky and gray tinge over the
country below. Woods, streams, fields
houses, barns, grew out of the darkness.
| The light broadencd; there were gilded
| clouds In the east; the sun cast its first
beams over the heights and upon the
| landscape below. We had reached the
| upper level; we were on the plateau.
Espying log house ahead. the men
! consulted and determined to try for
| some breakfast. They took the gag
| out Of my mouth. and rs soon as was
free to speak. anxious to be at once put
beyond suffering and the terrible sus-
pense of an impending murder, cried:
You dogs! You towards. You're
going to kill me! Why do you delay"
They looked at each other knowingly
and grinned-a horrible. soulcss grin.
DO ye reckon yer goin ter git ter
heaven without payin TO tn damage ye
done" snarled JaycoX. with an ugly
light in his eye.
"Ah, that's your game"
1--WE know you uns ter be as well
fixed TO property rs any young man in
Tennessee. An we're goin ter hev a
slice too. But yer needn't reckon thet's
goin ter save ye. Yer got ter shell out,
an them His look told the rest
GIVE me one shot with my back
against tree, and I'll fight two such
towards as YOU
"Shet Up! snapped Jaycox, showing
his teeth within n foot of my face and
with a glance like that of an angry
cox mentioned the name Ike. though
could not hear what he said, whereup-
on the captain turned and glanced at
me. | inferred that Ike was the man
who had tried to Kill me and whom
had killed for his pains. Then the cap
tain and Jaycox went into a thicket
near by. evidently for consultation, and
were followed by the Others, while
remained behind, still sitting on my
horse and watched by Pete. who stood
on the ground. great. Eaunt figure,
one hand holding the bride rein of his
horse rs he nipped the grass, the other
grasping cooked revolver. He was
looking at me from under his faded
somDrero, his eyes peering into mine
Indignantly, his Jaws grinding on his