Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-03-29
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.) }

But haw shall l get out?' inquired
the Frenchman, who could not see how
he was to be greatly benefited by the
operation which the black had suggest
cd.
''The best way you ken; you can't
come frew 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 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,
for 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 hesi-
tate to state the proposition which he
had made to Andrew The matter was
discussed in low voices by the two wor-
thies; and they finally concluded that for
an additional dollar, they would be COM
pletely 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.
SO the stipulated sum was duly trans
ferred (through one of the port holes
pierced in the wallis to the hands Of the
negroes, and the promised information
given.
But here new difficulty presented
itself; would not the sound of his blows
alarm all the sleepers in Boonesborough 7
After considerable searching, aided by
the faint light shining in at the loop
holes, and by the sense Of touch, LIE
Bland discovered a place where his op-
erations promised to be most successful
But the first blow resounded loudly
through the empty structure.
stop dat noise darr cried Andrew,
authoritatively. ''Massa Boone's down
by de gate"
Il must abandon the attempt" said
LIE Bland, thoughtfully, for new and
more feasible plan had suggested itself
to his mind. you may keep the money,
Andrew, and say nothing about what
has taken place"
Il knew you could not do nufin In
dat line." 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.
The moment Andrews voice had ceas-
- hn I'd
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 assistance
from Mr.. Aston.
The result was satisfacto He soon
discovered that Exquisite Ebony had re-
ceived instructions, and was ready to
favor his escape, providing that it could
be so adroitly managed that he could not
well be suspected of having any direct
agency in the same.
While low conversation was going
on between the Frenchman and the ne
gro, Mr.. Aston himself cautiously ap-
preached the block house.
"Yes, am here, my friend" said the
person referred to. How do you find
yourselfT
81 find myself a prisoner and very
poorly treated" replied LIE Bland, rather
haughtily. Free me from this disgrace
full thraldom. Let me not be pent up
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 unpardonable tar
diness, to meet her reproving glances.
am ready to pluck out my beard with
vexation. My impa tience to serve and
save the best of women drives me to the
confines of madness. And yet you come
and say, I am your friend; l spoke in
your behalf Thrice accursed are these
unyielding walls! they hold me from
action when it Is most needed. Perhaps
1t Is already too late; the pile may be
lghted-the fagots even now blazing In
flames mounting to the skies"
"Holdw exclaimed Mr.. Aston. "Your
words torture me beyond endurance. The
shrieks of my idolized girl are in my ears
her agonies penetrate my soul"
"Demolish these walls! open the door!
give me liberty! give me the free air!
This restraint will make me frantic.
To breathe this air another moment will
suffocate me. l am, while here, like
the poor fish transferred from his loved
element to dry land. l gasp-I strug-
gle with my fate like it. Make haste.
then. to relieve me- Consult not cold
and selfish prudence; think not of false
fears of professed friends, and the false
hood of concealed enemies. Act, and act
quickly. Your friend demands it; your
daughter invokes it."
Before heaven.' cried Aston. az will
comply with your request, let the conse-
quences be what they may. My doubts
Gf | ever entertained a single doubt van
ish: I give them to the winds. When
hear your tones, l hear only the voice
of sincerity and truth: l feel that there
Is no hypocrisy within you, let Others
cry out as they will. Now / am ready
to serve you"
els Captain Boone still walking about
within the worksT asked lie Bland.
"No; he concluded his observations
and returned to his cabin a few moments
since" replied Mr.. Aston.
THAT is well; now must contrive to
escape without duplicating you"
Generous friendr' said Aston, pleas
ed to behold so much ingenuousness.
LET Ebony mount to the roof" con-
finued the Frenchman, land remove.
with my cooperation, sufficient portion
of the same to allow me a comfortable
egress. Once upon the top of the block
house. ! will drop down upon the out
side and the object will be accom-
piished."