Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-08-24

spikes. OF crack the plank. Some Al
EItercation began in the otherroom, the
sound OF angry voices and stunning
feet being plainly audible. It was clear
to Keith that they must take the
chance Of noise, and no better time
than this could be chosen.
Here, Neb, take hold with me. and
bear down-put your whole weight on
It. boy. =
The two flung themselves upon the
end OF the bench. leaping up and down
80 as to add weight to power. Some
thing had to give. either the stout
wood Of their improvised lever or else
the holding Of the plank. For an in
slant it seemed likely to be the for
mer;; then. withsa shrth seresch,. the
long spikes Yielded and the board
suddenly gave. With shoulders In
serted beneath. the two men heaved
st still higher, ramming the bench be-
low 50 as to leave the opening clear.
This was now sufficiently ample for
the passage Of a mans body, and
Keith, lowering himself. discovered
the earth to be fully four feet below.
The negro instantly Joined him, and
they began creeping about IN the dark
ness. seeking some way out A rudely
laid foundation of limestone along OBJ
structed their patch to the open air.
This had been laid in mortar, but Of
Inferior quality. so that little dificulty
was experienced in detaching sum-
cient to obtain hand hold. Working
silently, not knowing what watchers
might be already stationed without.
they succeeded In loosening enough of
the rock to allow them to crawl
through, lying GREATNESS in the open.
Accustomed as they were to the
darkness. they could yet see little.
They were upon the opposite side
from the town. with no CLEAN OF lights
visible, prairie and sky blending to-
gether into spectral dimness, with no
sound audible but the continued quar-
rel In the front room of the jail. Keith
crept along to the end OF the building
from where he could perceive the
lights Of the town twinkling dimly
through the intense biackness. Evil
IDENTIFY the regular evening saturnalia
had not yet begun, although there was
already semblance of life about the
numerous saloons, and an occasional
shout punctured the stiffness. A dog
howled in the distance, and the pound
ing of swift boots along the trail told
of fresh arrivals. An hour later and
the single street OF Carson City would
be alive with humanity, eager for any
excitement. ready for any wild orgy,
If only once turned loose. That It
would be turned loose, and also d.
rected the man lying on his face in
the grass felt fully assured. He smiled
grim1y. wishing he might behold
Black Bart's" face when he should
discover the flight OF his intended vic.
TINS But there was no time to lose:
every moment gained. added to their
chance of safety.
Are those horses tied there by the
blacksmith's shop?" he asked, point
ing.
The negro stared in the direction In
dictated, confused by the shadows
thrown by the dim lights.
Il reck'n dey am, Massa Jack; I
done make out TO-
Then two of them must belong to
us; come on. boy"
He ran forward, crouching behind
every chance cover, and keeping well
back behind the line OF shacks. A
slight depression In the prairie helped
conceal their movements, and neither |
spoke until they we're crouehing to-
gether beside the wall of the shop,
Then Neb. teeth chattering. managed
to blurt out:
Fo' de LaWd's sake, yer don't actu-
ally mean ter steal dem hossas? r
Keith glanced about at the others
dim. black shadow.
Sure not; just borrow EN-
But OATS a hangin' job. in dis yere
country. Massa Jack.
Sure it Is If they catch us. But
we'd be strung up anyway, and we
can't be hung twice. Best les there 10
4 chance for us with the ponies. and
none at all without An hours start
IN the saddle. Neb, and this bunch
back here will never even ind our
rail: pledge you that. Come. boy.
stay close with me"
tTo BE CoNTINUEDl