Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09
CHAPTER TX.
A Narrow Escape.

Over IN the east faint lines of light were
stretching along the horizon. and delicate,
rosy tints came up from behind the hills
and glowed in the sky above foreteiling
that the dawn was not far of.
Slowly and with measured cadence clock
In the tall church steeple around the cor
ner rang out the hour of four as two
shadowy figures emerged from the kitchen
door. Before the echoes of the changing
strokes ceased to reverberate another form,
larger than the others. came from the
barn and cautiously the three made their
way toward the corner of the yard where
stood Pete's coop.
Dis amt no time fer rooster fghtin',' re-
marked the tallest conspirator dismally, In
a voice that at once identified James.
You know we cant help it." whispered
Tom. I'VE couldn't fix any other time. II
you don't want to go, get back to bed
''Oh, L wants ter go. all right; but it do
feel kind err creepy
Put your hand inside the coop. and get
Pete. Better speak to him, but don't make
a noise
After cropping In the dark a moment.
James replied:
Use got i'm. Mornin'. Pete; how We pass
de night2 Hope We res well. cause we
gwinter glib you de time OBJ yo' life. Sill
keep quiet no CROWN now. t amt time
fer dat. Bimeby ye can crow all ye like.
Put him in that bag, James, while Will
holds it OPEN" said Tom. softly. Now
throw the bag over your shoulder-so-
carefully. don't hurt him.
Gracious, but amt he light, don't seem
to weigh more den a fedder.''
You know where to take him?'
Goose I know; but amt you comm %
James asked, anxiously.
We'll go round and stop for Bob and
CT won't take a minute
IS pose I go long, too
mo, we're late already. You go across
the fields, and follow the brook until you
come to the Smith barn; then take the
path that leads to the street beyond; that's
the shortest cut. You know where to meet
us. Well run all the way and get there
as soon as you do.
After some hesitation James started off;
but his movements were not rapid, rather
those of one who regretted having ven
tured upon doubtful enterprise.
II don't like dis yer business little bit.
he muttered. Amt quite sho bout chicken
fghtin' nohow, but 1 is sho 1t amt spec
table at dis time OBJ de mo'nin'."
Suddenly thought flashed across his
mind that made him stop short. pose
some one see me. What dey think?
The far-reaehing consequences of detee-
ton or the chill sharpness of the air made
his teeth chatter, and he turned and looked
back irresolutely, though tempted to re-
trace his steps But getting the better or
his nervousness, he went forward.
The pale light Of q waning moon barely
served to guide him. In his ears were the
faint whisperings Of the night. Around and
about him a vague restlessness, IL the
silent denizens of wood and field were STIR
ring to greet the day. The swayfng
branches Of the trees seemed like fantastic
shapes, stretching gaunt arms across the
pathway, while at every slight sound that
broke the stiffness his heart beat faster
and he would stop and glance fearfully
about, as II from the darkness grim forms
might arise to confront him.
Up and down the streets like watchful
eyes, the lights in the lamp posts twinkled
and cleaned. Beyond the circle OF their
faint radiance stood figure, moflonless,
observant Even in the shadowy darkness
the CLINT of bright little spots In double.
rows upon his front, the glitter OF shield
on his breast and the long night stick dam
Cling from his belt. proclaimed him guar
dian Of the peaceful town and Its slumber-
ing inmates.
The gaze OF this alert watcher was fixed
upon a solitary figure making its steaithy
way down the road that led from the
Smiths barn. As 1t passed beneath one OF
the lamp posts the off1cer muttered with
satisfaction: IA darkey, with bag. Some
one will miss a chicken tomorrow.
The night stick was grippea firmly, and
as the lonely prowier drew near he was
startled by the words OF q stern command:
stop there!"
Like an echo came back, In terrified ac-
cents:
But a turn of the head and glance at
the tall object emerging -from concealnent
rendered questioning needless. Back over
the path he had come the man with the
Behind him, with rapid strides, followed
the laws upholder. With terror squirting
him on. the man fed fr0m his pursuer: but
the darkness failed to reveal the pitfalls In
length upon the ground. Before he could
rise again GREATNESS form lowered above