Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-18
CHAPTER XIV.
On the River.

No word was spoken during tnlS
cautious, extraordinary voyage under
ground. The pseudo Julius supported
his charge in the stern of the boat.
Peter Brutus sat in the bow, revol-
yer in his hand, his gaze bent upon the
opaqueness ahead.
At last the boat crept out into the
rainy. starless night. He drew the
skirts of his own macintosh over her
shoulders and head. The night was so
inky black that one could not see his
hand before mis- face.
At least two of the occupants opened
up their throats and lungs and gulped
in the wet, fresh air.
1t was now that he began to wonder,
10 calculate against the plans of their
silent escort. Whittier were they
bound? The occasional creak of an
oar, a whispered oath of dismay, the
heavy breathing of toilers, the soft
blowing of the mist-that was all; no
other sound on the broad, still river.
Truxton began to chafe under the
by the certain conviction that before
long they would be beyond the city,
the walls of which were gradually slip
ping past.
He considered their chances If he
were to overturn the frail boat and
strike out for shore in the darkness.
This project he gave up at once. He
did not know the waters or the banks
between which they glided. They were
past the walls now and rowing less
stealthily. Before long they would be
in a position to speak aloud. 1t would
be awkward for him.
Suddenly the boat turned to the
right and shot toward the unseen bank.
They were perhaps half mile above
the city wall Truxton's mind was
working like a triphammer. He was
recalling a certain nomad settlement
north of the city, the quarters of fish
ermen, poachers and horse traders.
These people, he was not slow to sur
mise. were undoubtedly hand in glove
with Marlanx, if not so surely connect
ed with the misguided committee of
ten.
He had little time to speculate on
the attitude of the denizens of this un-
wholesome place. The PROV of the
boat grated on the pebbly bank, and
Peter Brutus leaped over the edge into
the shallow water.
Come on Julius-nand her over to
me-" he cried.
As he leaned over the side to seize
the girl in his arms. TruXton King
brought the butt of the heavy revolver
down upon his skull Brutus dropped
across the gunwale with a sroan, dead
TO all that was to happen in the next
half hour or more.
Leaning forward. he had the two
amazed oarsmen covered with the
weapon.
Hands up, Quick" he cried. TWO
pairs of hands went up. together with
strange oaths. Truxton's eyes had
grown used to the darkness; he could
see the men quite plainly. What are
you dOing?" he demanded Of Lorraine
who, behind him, was fumbling in the
garments Of the unconscious Brutus.
Getting his revolver" she replied
with a quaver in her voice.
Good" ne said exultantly. Lets
think a minute" he went on. 1--WE
don't dare turn these fellows loose
even if we disarm them. They'll have
q crowd after Us in two minutes"
"We'n keep the boat There! Now
push off. Newport" For King hat
recognized his guard in the witch''
hovel in the person of one of the oars
men.
What the devil''- began Newport
hut King sienccd him. The boat slow
~ driftcd out into tn" current.
Now row" he commanded. WITT
his free hand he reached back anC
dragged the limp Brutus into the boat
Cad. | believe he's dead" he NUT
tered.
can YOU swim" demanded King.
Not a stroke" gasped Newport
Good Lord. pal. you're not going tC
dump us overheard! It's ten feet deeI
along here"
Pull on your left. hard. That:
right. I'm going To land you on tht
opposite shore"
Two minutes later they ran up un'
der the western bank Of the stream
which at this point was fully 3OC
wards wide. Under cover of tn" dead
~ revolver the two men dropped int
IN" water. which was above thel
waists. The limp form of Peter Rrutu'
was pulled out and transferred To thu
shoulders of his companions.
Good night" called out TruXtor