Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-05
CHAPTER XVIII.
In the Heart of the Limestone.

CHAPTER XVIII.
In the Heart of the Limestone.
It was 10 O'Clock when Jim left the Earth
ing place with the colt; 1t was five minutes
to one when he swung into Poppy Miller's
yard, record that has never been eaualed
even by daylight. The colt was streaming
wet and dripping foam and she was blow
ing heavily. Jim began upon her instant
ly, freeing her from the buggy and har-
ness and rubbing her with vigor. 1t was
at this moment that Amos appeared
Why, You here. Amos, at this time of
night?"
Yes; brought your mother down. But
what ais .1oney? l hain't seen soul"
Shes shot Here. grab right hold and
help rub her down; she's about blown"
Who shot herr''
Don't know him." He was rubbing
away for dear life.
what do You mean. Jim7 Say. what's
this all about2 Tell Teller. won't yeh?5
There's cave down there" jerking his
there when the mob chased U.s."
Nav You're jokin'. There amt no
cave"
We'll there is. and it's fixed so you
Down to the squires they've arrested
| him. But who shot herr
After we'd been in the cave an hour or
| two we heard somebody coming from the
| other end Iona made US run, but we
broke the lantern and they saw u.s.
| Who did2'
Two fellers with a lantern, big one
| and little one. The big one swore when
| he saw US, and started to shoot Tom.
| Iona jumped for him and the pistol went
| of and hit her. Say, I'm going in to see
| INTO the darkness and Amos heard him
| open the door. After a moment he re-
turned. Doctor hain't said anything yet.
| Mother don't think there's much chance"
he A r1OS
| was getting his bearings slowly.
Il made a rush for him, and got the
peter OF him after while. Tom seemed
! kind Of phased like. We tied the Teller,
| though"
''shol And where is he now?"
Tied In the horse-stall there. He jerlked
| his hand toward the old barn
"JimminyI you mean to say he's there
now? BY gum. let's go and see the crit
| ter"
II can't Leave the horse, but you can
wal now. kinder guess will. Sure
he's tight?"
Hes got all the ropes on him there is
about the place. and half the straps in
the harness"
Amos took the lantern and poked into
the barn cautiously. In an old stall, tied
cruelty to the manger and the side rails,
SO he could neither sit nor lie, stood
powerfully built man swathed like a
mummy in ropes and straps. Amos raised
his lantern and looked him over much
as he would the man-eater in a circus.
Say, for Gods sake. RUDE. can't you let
up little on some of these straps My
arms are all dead"
wal naow, 'spose I could" He con-
tfnued his examination cooking the Ian
| tern this way and that critically
Here. loosen this rope on the right
won't yeh2 It's pulled tighter hell
Say, won't yeh?"
'fWaI naow, that depends" Amos con-
tinued his investigation like q judge at
county fair scoring the fat pig The man
had once been very good looking. He had
a square, full face and a large,Jnustacne'
but there were marks Of dissipation In the
ayes and there were brutality and weak
ness about the mouth and jaw; His red
dish hair was rumpled, giving him des-
i.ook here. Rube." He lowered his voice
confidentially, and spoke IN oily tome
Want to earn five hundredf
Five hundred what2'
"Plunkers - greenoacks - ooi4aiS' rave
hundred dollars.
a tar barrel for half the money.
Then here's your chance. You ease up
on the ropes here so can get EN- on, ana
I'll pay you five hundred dollars.
"Give me your note, or SEND d reg ecu
letter." orx,
do,iar of ~ before YOU unite single rope
"ShoI Then you must have II In your
nocket Guess, seein' you are pretty wen
tied. I'll sorter help myself It's hara "olh
10 unite knots" He climbed over the ran
ooh I haint got 1t with me-
IT kinder 'sposed You hadn't
"But I can tell yeh where It's hao' not
far from here. -,
pretty slick naow, amt yeh?'
Honest now, that's straight Ihere
five hundred, and hts yours the minute YOU
unite these ropes.
"say, mister. I'm green-greener n ten
carloads of calves, but aint green clean
Here. wait I'll tell yeh what III do.
Won unhttch me so can walk-you needh
unite my hands and I'll show you where
it is Then, when you've got H. you can
unite me and I'll skip. See?'
"What sort of place Is 1t hid in?
"It's a cave and not great ways on.
as 1t cash? Legal tender? Greenbacks?
Gold bricks?" -
.Tt's part cash and part postage stamps.
that's lust as good. Come. quick now; I'M
tie these side ropes. Such chances don't
come only once in lifetime.
wall, naow you kinder interest," me,
darned If YOU don't. Now you mention 1t
I do need five hundred pretty bad, but
guess you'd better stay right here. We
heard tell about that cave, and reckon
ri try it. I'm kinder 'fraid you'd ketch
cold goin' in there with your hands tied"
Amos climbed deliberately back over the
rail.
You won't find 1t If you go in there. Can't
nobody but me find IT.
ooh now don't worry I'll find 1t all
right I'm awful good on findin things;
YOU hain't got idea Say. II one leg
gets to achn' too bad, why you jest stand a
while on the other" squirt of curses
came from the man, but Amos did not
pause
There was no one IN sight.
He took I'D the brush and began to rub