Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-01-18
CHAPTER XIy-(Continued.


he was to be greatly benefited by the
operation which the black had suggest
ed
The best way you ken; you can
come rev de door," was the rejoinder.
Get me an ak, then, and let me cut
my way out"
How much money!" asked Andrew.
Three silver dollars-more than you
ever had in the course Of your whole
life, probably"
Hand out the currency" said the
negro.
After a few moments Of reflection, lie
Bland was about to pass out the money,
when he heard the voice of Ebony with
out; but this did not discourage him,
Tor he believed that the African would be
disposed to sympathize with his master,
and so be inclined to favor his escape
Accordingly the prisoner did not hest
tate to state the proposition which he
had made to Andrew. The matter was
discussed in low voices by the two wor-
thles; and they finally concluded that for
an additional dollar, they would be com
pietely justified in disclosing the place
where the ak was secreted in the block
house
Should the Frenchman be fortunate
enough to free himself by the aid Of that
Implement, Andrew and his friend sup
posed that they could not be very deeply
Implicated in the affair.
% the stipulated sum was duly trans
1erred Through one Of the port holes
PIERCED III the wallis to the hands of the
negroes, and the promised information
given.
but here a new difficulty presented
itself; would not the sound of his blows
alarm all the sleepers in Boonesborough ?
After considerable searching, aided bv
the faint light shining in at the loop
holes, and by the sense of touch. LIE
bIahd discovered a place where his OBJ
Ti"lIoiS promised to be most successful
put the hrst blow resounded loudly
through the empty structure.
stop dat noise darp cried Andrew,
by de gate"
must abandon the attempt" said
re blahd' thoughtfully, for a new and
more feasible plan had suggested itself
10 ms mind You may keep the money,
andrew, and say nothing about what
mas taken place"
knew you could not do muffin in
uaI me, replied Andrew: and wishing
the prisoner good night, he walked away
with the silver safely deposited in his
pocket singing in the happiest possible
frame of mind.
Inc moment Andrews voice had ceas-
ed to be heard. lie Bland FASTENED 70
sound Ebony's feelings in regard to his
imprisonment, and to ascertain so fast
as he was able, whether he could reason
ably expect any immediate assisto nee
from Mr.. Aston.
Inc result was satisfactory. He soon
discovered that Exquisite Ebony had 70.
ceNed instr lctlOnS, and was ready ia
favor ms es ape, providing that it could
De so adroit.T managed that he could not
well be sus ected of having any direct
agency in Il q same.
While a low conversation was coino
on between the Frenchman and the ne.
gro, Mr.. Aston himself cautiously an.
preached the block house.
Yes, | am here, my friend" said the
person referred to. How do You FIND
yourself?"
Il find myself a prisoner and very
poorly treated replied lie Bland rather
haughtly Free me from this disgrace
lui thraldom. Let me not be pent III
here while every moment seems an age
to me, and, while | appear to hear each
instant the despairing cries of Rosalthe
and for my apparently objectionable tar.
diness. to meet her reprovng chances.
am ready to pluck out my beard with
vexation. My impatience to serve and
save the best of women drives me TO the
confines of madness. And yet you come
and say, 1 am your friend: | spoke in
your behalf Thrice accused are These
unyielding walls! they hold me from
action when it is most needed. Perhops
it is already too late; the pile NAV be
.lighted-the fagots even now blazing in
flames mounting to the Skies
Hold" exclaimed Mr. Aston. ''Your
words torture me beyond endurance. The
shrieks of my idolized girl are in nv ears
her agonies penetrate my soul"
"Demolish these wallis open the door
give me liberty! give me the free air
This restraint will make me frantic
To breathe this air another moment vii
suffocate me. l am. while here Tl,f
the poor fish transferred from his lovaf
element to dry land. | gasp-I strup
gle with my fate like it. Make haste
then, to relieve me. Consult nor oo1d
and selfish prudence; think not of falls
fears of professed friends, and the faIso
hood of concealed enemies Act. and DOT
quickly. Your friend demands II. vor,
daughter invokes it."
Before heavenr' cried Aston .sT Nil
comply with your request, let the corsa
quences he what they may Nv donh+>
GfI ever entertained single doubn Won,
ish: l give them to the winds. Wben !
hear your tones, hear only the VOC,
of sincerity and truth; l feel that tbar(
is no hypocrisy within you. let othor,
cry out as they will. Now | am road,
to serve YOU
as Captain Boone still walking abor+
within the works." asked LIE Rland
mo; he concluded his Observation,
and returned TO his cabin a few moment,
since" replied Mr.. Aston.
THAT is we'll; now | must contr;vo :,
escape without duplicating YOU"
Generous friend." said Aston nIooS
ed to behold so much righteousness.
Let Ebony mount to the roof" con
tinued the Frenchman. and remove
with my cooperation. a sufficient portion
of the same to allow me a comfortobl,
egresS Once upon the top of the blocl
house. ! will drop down upon the ont
side and the object Will be accom-
plished."
The plan is judicious and practical,
remarked Mr.. Aston. Ebony. get suit
able implements and climb up and oper
an aperture of the proper dimensions
but work softly and throw yourself dow1
fiat on the roof if any one appears"
Ebony made haste to obey these com
mands and in 4 short time he was in
dustriously ut work on the top of tn,
block house. while the Frenchman CAV,
directions and assisted him from the in
terror. The work progressed successful
ly; the timbers were displaced by means
of lever. The Frenchman emerge,
from the opening, and the implement
which had been employed were so place,
as to convey the idea that all had beer
effected from the inside.
\ rifle and ammunition were passe,
up to him. He seized them hastily, drop
ped down upon the front side of tn
block house and hurried away.