The Detroit times., 1911-10-16
NepJhb-S AbAts - Doo
CHAPTER XII.
The Family On the Raft.


been the end OF Bob Yancy when he
was shot out into the muddy waters
OF the Elk river. had not Mr.. Richard
Keppel Cavendish. variously known
as Long.Legged Dick. and Chiils-and-
Fever Cavendish, OF Lincoln county,
I'm the state OF Tennessee. some
months previously and after unpre-
cedented mental effort on his part,
decided that Lincoln county was no
place for him.
Mr.. Cavendish's paternal grandpar-
ent had drifted down the Holston ana
Tennessee: and Mr.. Cavendish's tath'
err, In his sons youth. had poled up
the Elk. MIR. Cavendish now deter
mined TO float down the Elk TO It's
juncture with the Tennessee, down
the Tennessee to the Ohio, and II
need be. down the Ohio TO the Mis-
sissippi, until he found some spot ex-
actly suited to his taste.
with this end In view he had toiled
through the late winter and early
spring, building himself a raft on
which TO transport his few belongings
and his numerous family.
Thus Il happened that as Murreh
and Slosson were dragging fancy
down the lane, Cavendish was Just
rounding a bend In the Elk, quarter
OF a mile distant. Leaning loosely
against the long handle OF his sweep.
he was watching the lane OF prlsnt
water that ran between the olacK
shadows cast by the trees on either
bank.
He heard a dull splash. and caush.
sight OF some object In the eddy that
swept alongside. Mr.. Cavehuisa
promptly detached himself from INC
handle Of the sweep and ran 10 TUG
edge of the raft. ,s
II was a face. livid and ploou.
streaked. Dropping on his knees ne
reached out a pair OF long arms anu a
made dexterous grap, anu n,s
NnRers closed on the collar OF fanes >
shirt. He drew Yancy close along
side. and pulled him clear OF .he
water. Mr.. Cavendish began a hur-
ried examination OF the still nsure'
There's a little life here-not much
POLLY" he called.
This brought Mrs. Cavendish from
one of the two cabins that occupieu
the center OF the raft. When she
caught sight of Yancy she uttered
I
shriekA. ae,.
Her cry had aroused the other oen'
,,ans az the raft. Six little Caven'
dishes. each draped In a single gal
ment. tumbled forth from their snef
ter. "a. 49,, IN IN
one of the beds--get his wet eiotnes
off and wrap him up warm sa'u
! Polly. -, aa oil
the little CeSendisEs.
And Yancy was borne into tne siia'
err of the two shanties, where pres.n.
Iy his bandaged head rested on un.
| long pillow. Then his wet clotnes ~ w,
hung up to dry along with the fanny
wash, which> fiuttered on rope
stretched between the two snanues'
The Judge Breaks jail.
The sheriff had brought the judge
simmer He reported that the crowo
was dispensing. and that on the whole
nublic sentiment was not particularly
hostile. indeed, he went so Tar as to
cav there existed strong undercur
rent of satisfaction that the Jail
should have SO speedily justified IL
self
Presently the sheriff went his way
into the dusk of the evening. ano
| night came swiftly to fellowship the
Judges fears. A single moonbeam
found its way into the place. making
| thin rift In the darkness. The Judge
sat down on the three-legged stooi
which. with a shake-down bed, fur
nished the jail.
Where was Solomon Mahaffy. and
where Hannibal? He felt that Mahaf
fy could fend for himself, but he ex
perienced a moment OF genuine con
Germ when he thought Of the child
| Then-there was a scarcely audible
| rustic on the margin OF the woods.
dry branch snapped loudly. Next @
stealthy step sounded In the clearing
The Judge had an agonized vision oil
Regulators and lynchers. The cautious
steps continued to approach. A whis-
per stole into the jail.
"Are you awake, Price?' It was Ma
hairy who spoke.
God bless you, Solomon Mahaffy!'
cried the Judge unsteadily.
i've got the hoy-he's with me-.
said Mahaffy.
God bless you both" repeated the
Judge brokenly. Take care OF him
Solomon, feel better now, knowing
he's In good hands"
| please, Judge" II was Hannibal.
| Eyes. dear lad?'
| "Pm mighty sorry that ten dollars
loaned you was bad-but you don't
need ever to pay II back II were
y