The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-29
Confined nom Last sundays rim@.l

II was not the regular flow OF river
nor the ripple of a small stream 1t
was the steady lap, lap Of the waves
OF a larger body.
Hammering my memory of the map
Of the State. and trying IN my mind
TO measure the distance we had walked.
IL flashed over me that we were on the
banks of Oneida Lake
Suddenly. at a greater distance. and
in direction totally unexpected. there
rose on the air the familiar whistle of
Bill Trumble. but not this time in
careless tune.
mad heard II In the lively strains OF
Hot Time i'm the Old Town Tonight"
II Want Yo', Nah Honey" and n hun
dred OF the catchy airs supposed to rep
resent the humors and sentiments Of
the colored race. But this time il was
a shrill. clear call of four notes--un-
mlstakably a communication to some
one who understood.
Fearful Of running afoul of Lee,
struck of I'm the direction of the sound.
1t led toward the lap, lap OF the lake.
There was no doubt that we were
getting close: that the girl had chosen
to protect-to whom I had been mar
,ied against her will and mine-was
hiding near. And between her and me
was an enemy 1 knew would not hesl-
tate at murder
We were again at crossroads. where
the road from the south connected with
the turnpike east and west that ran
through Lakeport and the other villages
or the south shore of the lake.
Between this road and the lake there
was a stretch of rough country. evil
IDENTIFY. at this place. wild as nature
itself
scrambled through bramble patches
that scratched my hands and face and
almost tore my clothing. 1t was not
easy to make progress without also
making noise.
] did manage, however, TO get over
tho ground in a diagonal direction
toward the lake.
Suddenly a light shone before me.
This light streamed from n small door.
and l saw distinctly the form of Bill
Trumble standing within its radius. and
the dusky face of a negress welcoming
him.
The door remained open only for a
moment but I'm that moment, with the
aid OF it's reflection on surrounding OBJ
jects. / know that the domicile that
sheltered them was a boat
When the door was closed 1 saw
small light in a bit of a window some
distance from the ground. This was
eNlUenliN the EdDlIl NlnuOM Dul WAdN
sort OF a boat was it that had a door
reaching to the ground The boat was
not far from the water-in fact, one
end of it seemed to be actually in the
lake.
While I crouched, watching the glim-
rner of light in the cabin window. ] dis
tinctly heard the footstep of a man not
far away. 1 waited with almost stilled
heart and breath while he passed me,
going toward the old boat.
When he was far enough away to
make it safe 1 crept a little nearer my
self.
Now both Lee and I spent half hour
waiting. 1 do not know why 1 did not
go boldly to the door Of the boat and
demand admittance Probably in my
excited mind the fear had taken root
that l would not gain the admittance If
did demand it.
Then. there was Bill Trumble. a
brawny negro. 50 deal with. and Lee, n
somewhat unknown quantity, but GER
tainly TO be dreaded. Then, again,
there was always in. my mind a desire to
let James Lee prove himself the scoun-
drel knew he was.
I wanted some proof that would set
Robert Forrest free and put James Lee
in his place. Just hoNr was expecting
to find It at that boat on the wild shore
OF a lake in the dark night, l cannot
now tell clearly.
Eventually the door opened again and
BIZ Trumble came out.
7 felt a thrill as l saw in the glare OF
the light the sweet face and graceful
form Of Beatrice FOrrest-No. Stage
And the thrill gave way to chill as 1
1rarrf efaf1ln a ms
Lee had also seen her
The door closed again and BIZ Trum-
bic set of in the darkness
Now it became a game of waiting to
see what James Lee would do. We spent
about ten or hfteen minutes there.
neither of us moving hand or foot l
could not see him. but I knew he was
nearer the boat than I was.
Then L heard distinctly three raps at
the door Of the boat. / did not know at
that time what method Lee used 10 OBJ
tain admittance. But / saw With sur
prise that the door opened, and the face
of the negress appeared.
Then, with a wild scream OF terror.
she tried to slam the door shut. But
Lee had his foot and knee inside.
The negress uttered scream after
scream for Bill / heard Lees voice
commanding her 20 open. 1 heard the
name OF Forrest mentioned, and law and
disgrace and imprisonment for aiding
an escape from prison.
The negroes kept struggling and
screaming.
Lee. gaining courage in that BIZ did
not return. shouted his commands above
her voice.
II viii have Beatrice I heard him
say. "she must be mine. OF Bob For
rest shall die for Enland's murder
Which you committed" / cried. un-
able TO remain quiet longer. You,
James Lee, murdered. Away from here.
Beatrice Forrest Is my wifel"
Things happened quickly then. heard
a shout not far away. surely from the
throat Of Bill Tumble. 1 saw Lee. in
his sudden surprise. turn from the door.
and then Il was slammed shut by the
negress.
! involuntarily felt for my pistol But
there came binding fash Of light from
a bulls eye lantern in my eyes. a wild
laugh from Lee, and a sudden crash Of
something against my head-and knew