The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-01-18

Ice.
That's all want" said Pruitt. 'Ill
meet you at two this afternoon at Lei
boldt's place and tell you what to do.
So long, Morgan. So long everybody"
and Pruitt was gone.
Morgan knew Pruitt we'll enough to
know he meant just what he said
Still he was somewhat dubious about
his getting Fleishman with only one
man, even if that man was Cheney.
At two o'clock Cheney and Pruitt
met at Leiboldt's place on the levee.
Fruits one weakness was dress, and
in the interim between the meeting in
Morgans Office and two o'clock he had
rugged himself out like a fashion plate
He would hardly be taken for deputy
United States marshal out after a
moonshiner. His plans were matured
and his instructions very brief.
Cheney, I want you to meet me at
Point Pleasant one week from to-day.
You will leave on the steamboat Belle
OF St. Louis and go to Memphis. Stay
there day and keep dark, and then
take the boat next morning back to
Point Pleasant. You ought to reach
there about dusk the same evening.
will be on or near the dock. Don't you
recognize me at all. Just keep your
eyes open and follow me after the boat
has left. Understand"
"Sure thing, Pruitt. 1 understand
and I'll be there all right"
II don't have to tell you to come
we'll armed. Jim Freshman is a crack
shot and we've got to trap him like a
bear-snap his claws first" Again the
old Missouri "S'long, jack" and Pruitt
was gone.
Cheney made his preparations and
when the Belle of st. LOUIS left on
her next trip he was a passenger.
Dolph Zeigler, the boats captain, knew
Cheney and made him comfortable in
his cabin. The trip was uneventful
and at Memphis Cheney debarked. He
kept under cover all day and early the
next morning he was a passenger on
the "Vicksburg'' bound up. About
seven p. m. three long blasts an
nounced the approach to Point Pleas
ant. When the 'gang-plank was
swung out Cheney leisurely walked
ashore, keeping his eye out for Pruitt.
Finally he saw him seated on a pile
OF lumber carelessly whiting a
stick. Pruitt's fine clothes had been
laid aside, and at this time he was
dressed in homespun and held a cob
pipe between his teeth. He looked
for all the world like an Arkansas
cracker. The boat discharged a few
passengers and a small amount of
freight, and then poking her nose
into the muddy current, proceeded on
her way to st. Louis.
Pruitt got up from his resting
place, stretched and yawned, and
then slowly walked up the muddy
street. Cheney, too, was dressed as
a native, and followed Pruitt. Near
the edge Of the settlement lit could
hardly be dignified by the name of
city or town. Pruitt disappeared in
the woods. Cheney followed, and had
not gone far when the two men met
"Howdy, Cheney. Got here all
bunch of excitement"
Hello, Val. Yes, I'm ready. What's
the lay?"
1--WE located Jim Fleishman about
20 miles back in the woods. He's got
pretty good place, and evidently
thinks he's secure. He's living with
his wife and two children. I've blazed
the trail out so we won't get lost. It's
not very good road, but we can
get out all right. It's now nearly
eight O'Clock, and we ought to get
out there by 1880. Then, if all goes
we'll, we will pull Fleishman and be
back here by daylight and take the
first boat NORTH
Going to walk 20 miles between
| now and 1892" asked Cheney, with
| just a faint suspicion Of sarcasm in
his voice.
Nope replied Pruitt, not notic-
ing the shaft. Come on" He set
out at good pace, and Cheney fol-
| lowed. A short distance ahead and
they came to small clearing in
which were hitched three horses, sad.
died and bridled. Pruitt didn't have
any doubt that he would bring back
Fleishman; hence the third horse.
1t was quite dark when the men
rode out on the winding trail. Silent
ly they continued on their way. There
was no moon and heavy clouds OBJ
scured the stars, and presently it be-
gan to rain, gently at first, and then
a downpour. A pretty strong wind
sprung up, and it was mighty slow
travelling to follow the trail. The
horses were sure-footed enough, but
this pushing on through the almost
impenetrable darkness was a bit un
canny. The animals became nervous
The flashes of lightning were binding
and the constantly rolling thunder re
minded Cheney of vigorous bonn
bardment of the great guns of the ar.
tillery in the old army of the Poto
mac. Several times the trail was
lost, the storm having washed OF
blown away the blazing, and valuable
moments were slipping by. Instead
of reaching Fleishman's at 1880, a.