The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-01-09

4
No, not even one. You're the only
man left. The Americans are a ter
rible people. They have hoodwinked
1 you until the time was ripe. Their
reached out and caught you all as
fisherman with his net takes in a
school OF minnows. Even now they
are waiting for you, and you'll have
10 act quick or they will get you too
The spy felt suddenly tina. ne had
underestimated the enemy completely.
An involuntary shudder contracted his
muscles when he comprehended that
not only had he been watched until
the propitious time for his taking, but
that he had been deliberately played
with, an unconscious mouse beneath
the eyes of vfgilant cat. Worst of
all. this in itself was confirmation
that none of the later reports he had
sent out to Japan had reached their
destination. Probably every message
he had dispatched was now in the
hands of the Americans. His only
hope OF conveying warning to his coun-
trymen and for his own life depended
on his escape from the clutches of
these men, who could appear ignorant
and torpid when in reality they were
advised and alert. In burst of i'm
potent rage he shook his fists at the
stars. His companion caught his arm.
Listen" he said. "You have but
one chance. You must get away from
Washington tonight. have a friend.
Canton man, who is a gardener in
the outskirts. II we can reach him he
will take you in his wagon to a rail-
way crossing before the light comes.
There you can get aboard a freight
train"
Go as tramp"
Eyes. because all other trains will |
be searched
Seigo shrugged his shoulders in dis.
gust. He would have uttered a pro
test in words had not his companion |
checked him and continued:
II you are careful you can get to |
Chicago, where other friends of mine
will help you. Then you must try 10
reach Canada as best you can"
Seigo hesitated a minute before de. /
Gliding; but It was obvious that no bet.
ter means was available. Together
the two men crept through alleyways
and back streets to the outskirts of !
the city, until they came to the howell
where lived the truck farmer on whom
they placed their hope He, exper.
fenced In the ways of the Americans
through long residence in California
and standing in dread of the law. was
at first loath to undertake the part
assigned to him; but the clink of gold
coin overcame his fears, and in the |
end Seigo sought sleep in the bottom
OF q covered. wagon while being driven
to the place where he was to assume
new role. He felt alone and deserted
when the gardener departed, leaving
him standing at an intersection of rail-
way tracks waiting impatientIy for a |
freight train on which he was to make
his -hrst excursion into trampdom.
1t came at last, heavy snorting To-
connective pulling a long trailer of emp
les. 1t whfstIed shrflly for the cross
ng. watched for a signal from the
onely little tower, and came to full
stop. Seigo, with his heart In his
mouth, clambered through the side
ioor of an empty car and was soon
travelling westward to the rhythmic
flank of wheels on rails. Fatigue at
asst overcame him and he slowly
lropped into a restless sleep in which
le was pursued by demons and con-
ronted by unknown terrors. He was .
Iroused by brakeman, who roughly
'unched him in the ribs with the toe
Il his boot and told him to Hike
ut!" He sat up and blinked his eyes
lntil again ordered to vacate, and | I
hen came to his senses sufficiently to I
make a plea for himself, which was ,
The brakeman was OBJ
urate and threatening, until the spy
rawled stif1y out.
He sat YEARLY down on a pile of
les, and the brakeman, still watchful,
TODD in front until the long train !
ragged past, then reached out a
rimy hand, swung lightly onto the !
tops of the caboose, and shook his /
stat the supposed Chinaman as he dis
A tramp of the most degraded
ort approached him and with the
Of the homeless dropped
Ito conversation with him. Food and
I'm made him an ally. and, finding an
asy source Of assistance without ef-
'rt, the tramp avowed that he, too,
as bound for Chicago.
Under this expert tutelage the
apanese reached the metropolis of
he west, where he babe his friend
bobby and sought the Chinese to
hom he had letters. Again he faced
reverse; for these men with one &C.
'rd told him there was no possibility
evading the sentries to the north.