The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-14
CHAPTER IX-Continued.

CHAPTER IX-Continued.
For the greater part OF the night they
enjoyed free track. and thumped the
rails at lively clip. Shortly after mid
night Ardmore crawled below and went
70 sleep. After o'clock Cooke called
him.
We're on the switch at Kildare. One
OF your men is here waiting for you"
Big Paul, the German forester, was
called in, and Ardmore made his toilet IN
pail OF water while listening to the big
fellows report Cooke Joined In the con-
Versation, and Ardmore was gratlfed TO
see that the two men met on common
ground in discussing the local geography.
The forester described in clear, straight
forward English Just what he had done
He had distributed his men well through
the hills. and they were now posted as
pickets on points favorable for observa-
ton. They had found along the streams
-FOUR widely scattered stills, and these
were being watched. Paul drew a small
map, showing the homes OF the most
active members OF the Appleweight gang
and Ardmore indicated all these points as
nearly as possible on the county map he
had brought with him.
Here's Raccoon Greek, and my own
land runs right through here-just about
here. isn't It. Paul? I always remember
the creek, because Ike the name so
much"
you are right. Mr. Ardmore. Tho best
timber you have lies along there. and
your land lrosses the North Carolina
boundary INTO South Carolina about here.
There's Mingo County. South Carolina.
you see
well. that dashes me-" exclaimed Ard
more. striking the table with his fist II
never knew one State from another, but
you must be right"
I'm positive OF II. Mr.. Ardmore One
OF my men has been living there on
the creek TO protect your timber Some
of these outlaws have been cutting of
our wood"
1T seems to me remember the place.
There's a log house hanging on the
creek You took me by Il once. but II
never entered my head that the State
line was so close"
1T runs right through the house! And
some one. years ago. blazed the trees
along there. so Il is very easy TO tell
when you step from one State to an
other. My man left there recently. re-
fusing 20 stay any longer. These Ap-
pleweight people thought he was a spy,
and posted a notice on his door warning
him to leave; so I shifted him 10 the
other end OF the estate"
Did YOU see the sheriff az Kildare?"
I haven't seen him. When 1 asked
for him yesterday I found he had left
town and gone TO Greensboro to see his
sick uncle"
Ardmore laughed and slapped his knee.
Who takes care OF the dungeon while
he's away
There are no prisoners IN the Kill
dare jail. The sheriff's afraid 70 keep
any and he's Ike the rest OF the people
around here. They all live in terror OF
Appleweight"
'Appleweight Is a powerful character
In these parts" said Cooke. pouring the
coffee he had been making, and handing
tin cup full to Ardmore Hes toler-
able well Off, and could make money
honestly II he didn't operate STILLS rob
country stores. mix up in politics, and
steal horses when he and his friends
need them
Il guess he has never nolested us
any, has he, Paul?" asked Ardmore.
not a little ashamed OF his ignorance
OF his own business.
A few or our cows stray away some
times and never come back. And for
two years we have lost the corn out
OF the crib away over here near the
deer park"
They've got the Juice out OF It before
this remarked Cooke.
THAT would be nice for me. wouldn't
tt2" asked ATdmore, grinning-"to be
arrested for running a still on my
place"
We don't want 20 lose our right to
the track, and we must get out OF this
before the whole community comes 70
take a look at u.s." said Cooke, swinging
out OF the caboose.
Ardmore talked frankly to tho forester.
having constant recourse 20 the map:
and Paul slcetched roughly n new
chart, marking roads and paths. so
far as he knew them. and indi-
eating clearly where the Ardsley boun-
daries extended. Then Ardmore took a
blue pencil and drew a straight line.
When we get Appleweight, we want
20 hurry him from Dilwen County. n. c..
into Mingo County. S. c. We will go 70
the county town there. and put him in
jail. II the sheriff OF NIingO Is weak
kneed. we viii lock Appleweight I'D any,
how and telegraph the governor OF South
Carolina that the Joke is on him"
I'VE will catch the man." said Paul
gravely but we may have TO kin him. q"
Dead or alive. he's got 20 be caught. ="
said Ardmore. and the big forester stared
a. MS euplOgeT little OdQlys Tor this
lord proprietor had not been known to
his employees and tenants as a serious
character. but rather as an indolent per-
son who. when he visited his estate IN
the hills. locked himself up unaccounta-
bly, In his library and rarely had the en-
ergy 20 stir up the game In his broad
preserves.
Certainly. sir; dead or alive" Paul
repeated.
Cooke came out OF the station and sig
nailed the engineer 20 go ahead
We'll pull down here about five miles
20 an old spur where the company used
to load wood. There's a little valley there
where we can be hidden all we please.
so Ear as the main line is concerned, and
IL might not be bad idea 10 establish
headquarters there. We have the tools
for cutting in on the telegraph. and we
can be as Independent as we please. I
told the agent we we're carrying company
powder for blasting job down the line,
and he suspects nothing"
Paul left the caboose as the train
started, and rode away on horseback 10
visit his piclIets. The train crept warilv
over the spur into the old wood-cutters'
camp. where as Cooke had forecast. they
were quite shut in from the main line by
hills and woodland.