The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-17

of Col. Tolton's party and their muf- l He'd footbeats which were scarcely audible on the carpet of grass and de- | ;ayed vegetable matter. Now and then they were startled by toad or moccasin slipping into the water with
 splash. and at rare intervals tree crashed down through the under growth. no longer able to withstand ages biighting touch. The spirits of the party were depressed. One could scent pestilentiai humoFs that rose to the nostrils. It seemed that the presence of man had never disturb ed this ormeval waste.
 Poison lurked in the air, was hidden I in the sap of the plants and in the fangs of reptiles. The hideousness of the swamp overwhelmed ones senses. And yet. there was certain wild 1 beauty-the charm of luxuriant veg citation, the spell of intoxicating flow CTS and the subtle fascination of danger which seemed to be hiding be- hind every tree trunk. Vague shapes fitted about at short distance which one saw out of the corner of his eye, but when he locker more closely they disappeared The swamp in daytime was fearsome enough; at night 1t was a place that only the most courageous man could traverse.
 The party pushed forward rapidly
 
 cred. The turns increased in frequen- cy and 1t appeared that the searchers were nearing one of those lakes often found in tho large swamps of the South. old Ed. informed the Colonel that they must be nearing their desti- nation.
 Soon they came out on the edge of a small lake. in the center of which stood an island. heavily wooded. Just then they heard a sound. It was a mans voice but very indistinct, The words came faintIy through the swamp and seemed to be those of person iu distress. There was 6 note of suppii- were imploring for his life All push ed forward eagerly to the edge of the lake. Suddenly the voice ceased to be heard. As Colonel Toiton looked hastily about for some means of reaching the island. old Ed. warned him to withdraw among the trees and wait. On the opposite shore he point tree.
 Oats Andy's bote. I'll be houn'. an If yer'l jest wait here -naong gst de trees fur while I beliehes Andy will come bask. Den we kin ketch i'm when he | Ian's on dis side
 Acting on this suggestion. the party l themselves behind the un- i and waited In a short time | Andy could be seen coming through the | trees in the direction of his boat. His | ,at was gone and blood was streaming Town his face from wounds that might | have been inflicted by the claws of q wild beast. The negro got painfully nto the boat and padded across the 'hort strip of water that separated Jim from the mainland. As he reached he shore and climbed out of his boat -oL Tolton stepped from behind a tree. ell on his knees. His eyes rolling with terror, he began tumble of non- ense, half prayer and half supplied lon.
 "Marster: Marster" he cried fo' iawd's sake. doan' yo go on dat islam"
 Whats the matter. Andy?' asked he Colonel. What do you mean7 What has attacked you?' The negro made no answer, but | waved hack and forth as he continued !! is supplication. Fore Gawd!' he cried, dat ain no ( lace fur yo, Marster, Take ole Andv's Iord fur hit an doan you go! Let some ? desc yuther gen'men go. but yo 1 .ay here wid ole Andy" It we must solve this mystery at l nce,'' exclaimed the celcnet. Par 6 ,ns. you and Denton get in the boat . ith me. Andy will paddle us across s nd we'll send him back to fetch the q .hers.' | Moaning continuously. Andy padded D le boat to the island and while the eIonet anr hts friends waited he fer. I ed over the remainder of the party p