The Washington times., 1904-05-22
CHAPTER XII.
The Ending Of a Strange Chase.

Inc EnoinB OF a Strange NndSe.
It was. without doubt. easier for me
to follow James Lee unsupported than
IL was for Lee 20 follow Bill Trumble.
The whitewash artist feared discovery,
was cautious. looked frequently around
and had no other weight on hind mind.
Lee. on the other hand. did not think
of an enemy on his own trail. and had
his mind fully occupied in keeping him
self hidden from Trumble, and keeping
Trumble IN view.
For Lee did not know where Trumble
was going. and 70 lose sight of the willy
negro for a moment was TO lose all
hope OF continuing the pursuit. There
fore. Lee rarely looked behind.
Bill went on at a rapid pace, whistl-
| ing merrily, and Lee stealthily logged
| his footsteps. keeping always some dis
lance IN the rear
was about the same distance behind
| Lee I made IL a point when possible
TO take the opposite side Of the street.
We met several pedestrians, for IN city
| of that size it Is no unusual thing for
| men TO be out late at night, or all
night
| But the pursuit was growing more and
more difficult. While Trumble held u
streets lighted only by gas lamps. and
lined by ramshackle houses that afford
/ ed many hiding places in deep shadows,
it was no difficult matter to steal along
step by step and keep Lee in view. But
suddenly the negro swung into an ave-
nue. lighted with electric lamps. and
lined with stores brilliantly illuminated
in the same manner
| Here Lee allowed a greater space 70
grow between him and the man he was
/ Foffor.rfrr- NJ I to do. "a
same.
| When Trumble came into the glare Of
the electric lights 1 saw that he carried
q bundle under his arm He was, IN
| doubtedly taking a supply OF clothing,
and perhaps food, to his sister and her
charge
Lee was in disguise. and I was not.
Therefore. I stood in much greater dan
ger of discovery than he did But this
danger did not last long.
1t soon appeared that Trumble had
taken that well lighted street only as
short cut 10 the northern boundary Of
the city. where he again plunged into
gloomy lanes. without having discov-
cred that two pursuers were on his
track.
The chase would have been ludicrous
had IT not been for the fact that my
AAAAAAA was SAA AAAS ~ a AAlbI NAAIA VI aAAA-
iety. The sudden dives into dark cor
ners. the quick darts from cover TO
cover. the constant effort TO follow one
while keeping hid from both, the dan
ger Of losing Tumble or OF falling
across Lee-an made up a most exciting
pursuit.
Had Lee been less eager TO keep his
eye on Trumble. and more suspicious Of
pursuit himself. I surely could not have
succeeded as 1 did. But Lee was so bent
on discovering the hiding place OF Bea-
trice that he seemed 20 feel no caution
save that Of preventing Trumble from
discovering him
We crossed a railroad bridge where
the New York Central runs under a
Poad running north and south, and then
Trumble descended into a narrow cut
Through which this railroad continued
for q distance northward from the city.
He soon left this. however, and struck
on across country.
1t was a totally dark night The
moon, II there was one. was obscured
by heavy clouds. 1t became no longer a
matter Of eyesight. The chase was one
of ear.
Bill Tumble. had he been less a real
negro, would have silenced that eternal
whistle. But he had come thus far. so
: he supposed, without pursuit. and now
! all danger was past.
So negro melody. one tune after
another. came from his pursed lips as he
! logged along.
I. There was no longer any reason &c
, slkulk or dart to cover 1t vas all cover
Lee had only to keep near enough to
@ hear the whistle OF the darby. This was
! the sound 1 was also following. but ]
-.
He made no noise as he crept along
z nor did l. allowed TrumbIe to keep sc
s far ahead of me that the whistle came
: but family to my ears. I knew that
}. between him and me Lee was going al
e the same gait.
7 In this part OF the chase Lee GER
T tainly had the best Of it. He was 81
{ much nearer Trumble that he could fol
low more easily 1 was in danger o.
a ! falling so far behind that If Trumbl,
i should stop his whistling and take q
new course, 1 would lost all trace OF
!, him.
And each moment feared this woulS
: be the case. When the darby finished
|. | tune and there was a temporary paus'
!, while he selected another from his ex
a tensive repertoire. I felt a chill OF APP
}. | prehension lest. after all. l was goinl
0 to be outwitted and Lee gain the GOV
i eted kno2ledge.
But 1 think Trumble was afraid of tn,
n dark. 1 have known people, not onl!
x negroes, but others, who. when travelling
l. alone on dark night. whistled or SAM
to keep up a brave showing OF persona
= courage.
I do not know the true philosophy o
- this. 1t is possible that a midnigh
=, robber or assassin will hesitate befor
attacking a whistling or singing mar
My experience with that gentry has bee
limited.
y 1 never had any dealings with any bu
James Lee. and he certainly was not IN