The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-11-08

his shoulder, moving off in the direc
ton of the bar.
"Come on, Nevvy!" said Yancy fol
lowing, and they all entered the tav
ern "Well, here's to the best of good
luck!" said Murrell as he raised his
glass to his lips.
Same here" responded Yancy
Murrell pulled out roll of bills, one
of which he tossed on the bar. Then
after moments hesitation he detach.
ed second bill from the roll and turn,
ed to Hannibal.
Here, youngster-a present for
you," he said good-naturedly. Han
nibA, embarrassed by the unexpected
gift, edged to his Uncle Bob's side.
THANK you, sir" said the boy.
Lets have another drink" suggest
ed Murrell.
Presently Hannibal stole out into
the yard. He still held the bill in his
hand, for he did not quite know how
to dispose of his great wealth. After
debating this matter for a moment he
knotted it carefully in one corner of
his handkerchief.
In the tavern the three men were
drinking Murrell with the idea that
the more Yancy came under the in
f1uence of Slossons corn whiskey the
easier his speculations would be man.
aged Mr.. Yancy on his part believed
that if Murrell went to bed reasonably
drunk he would sleep late and give
him the opportunity he coveted, to
quit the tavern unobserved at break
of day.
when yo' get to feelin' like sleep,
young boss, Mass'r Slosson he says l
show yo' to yo' chamber" 1t was Slos-
sons boy, Eph.
Eyes, you can show me to my cham
ber," he said.
Eph secured tin candle-stick with
a half-burnt candle in it and led the
way into the passage back of the bar.
They mounted a fight of stairs and
passed down a narrow hall. This
brought them to the back of the build
ing, and Eph pushed open the door on
his right.
"This heahs yo' chamber" he said,
and preceding his companion into the
room, placed the candle on a chair.
The moon was rising and Hannibal
went to the open window and glanced
out. For a moment he considered the
night, not unaffected by it's beauty,
then, turning from the window, he
moved his bundle and rifle to the foot
of the bed, where they would be out
of his way, kicked off his trousers,
blew out the candle and lay down.
Yancy had become more and more
convinced as the evening passed that
Murrell was bent on getting him
drunk and suspicion mounted darkly
to his brain.
'IIave drink with mel" cried Slos-
son, giving way to drunken laughter.
'The captains dropped out, and !
low it's about time TO- these here fes-
tivities to come to an end. I'm think
ing some of going to bed myself said
Yancy. He kept his eyes fixed on
Murrell. He realized that if the lat
ter could prevent it he was not to
leave the bar. He never shifted his
glance from Murrell's face. Scowl-
ing now, the captains eyes blazed
back their challenges as he thrust his
right hand under his coat. Fair play
II don't know who you are, but l
know what you want" said Yancy,
the light in his frank gray eyes deep
ening. Murrell laughted and took a
forward step. At the same moment
Slosson snatched up heavy club from
the back of the bar and dealt Yancy
a murderous blow. A single startled
cry escaped the Scratch Hitler; he
struck out wildly as he lurched toward
Murrell, who drew his knife and drove
it into his shoulder. Yancy dropped
heavily to the floor.
How long the boy slept he never
knew, but he awoke with start and
a confused sense of things. 1t was
evidently very late, probably after
midnight-but where was his Uncle
Bob?
He sank back on his pillow intent
and listening. A chilling terror that
gripped him fast and would not let
him go mounted to his brain
Where was his Uncle Bob? Why
didn't he come to bed? Memories OF
idle tales of men fouly death with in
these lonely taverns flashed through
his mind.
He slid from the bed, and for a long
moment stood cold and shaking, his