The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-11-14
CHAPTER XXXIu-Continued.

est improvements adapted to their own
er's somewhat hippant pursuit of agri-
culture. While Darlington was still
staring about him, the cabin door swung
open and a woman stepped forth. 1t
was the girl Bess. She went to a cor
ner of the building and called loudly:
Joe! Oh, joel"
Darlington glanced in the direction of
the keel boat, and an instant later saw
Slosson Chamber over it's side. The tav-
ern keeper crossed to the cabin, where
he was met by Bess, who placed in his
hands what seemed to be a wooden bowl.
With this he slouched of to one of the
outbuildings which he entered. Ten or
fifteen minutes slipped by; then he came
from the shed, and after securing the
door, returned to the cabin. He was
again met by Bess, who relieved him of
the bowl They exchanged a few words
and Slosson walked away, and afterward
disappeared over the side of the keel
boat.
This much was clear to the Kentuckian:
Food had been taken to some one in the
shed-to Betty and the boy-more likely
TO George.
He waited now for the night to come
and to him the sun seemed fixed In the
heavens. At Belle Plain Tom Wars was
watching it with a shuddering sense OF
the swiftness of its flight. But at last
the tops of the tall trees Obscured 1t; II
sank quickly then and blazed a ball of
fire beyond the Arkansas coast, while Its
dying glory spread aslant the heavens,
turning the TANKS of the gray clouds to
violet and purple and gold.
With the first approach of darkness
Darlington made his way to the shed.
Hidden in the shadow, he paused to lis
ten, and fancied he heard difficult breath
ing from within. The door creaked hid
eously on its wooden hinges when he
rushed 1t open, but as 1t swung back
the last remnant of the days light
showed him some dark object lying prone
On the dirt floor. He reached down and
his hand rested on a mans booted foot.
George" Darlington spoke softly,
but the man on the floor gave no sign
that he heard and Carringtons ques-
t:oning touch stealing higher, he found
that GeOrgeIf il were GeOrge-WaS ly-
ing on his side with his arms and legs
securely bound Thinking he slept, the
kentuCkian shook him gently to arouse
him.
'George?" he repeated, still bending
above him. This time an inarticulate
slant the woolly head of the negro came
under his fingers and he discovered the
reason of his silence. He was as Sc
curely gagged as he was bound.
Listen, George-it's Carrington-I am
going to take off this gag, but don't
speak above a whisper-they may hear
us" And he cut the cords that held the
sag in place.
How yo' get here. Masr Ca'ington?"
asked the negro guardedly, as the gag
fell away.
Around the head of the bayou"
''Lawd,' exclaimed George, in tone
of wonder.
Where's Miss Betty2''
She's in the cabin yonder-fo' the
love of God, cut these here other ropes
with you knife, Mas'r Ca'ington: I'm
perishin' with EN-" Darlington did as
he asked, and grooming. George sat erect.
I'm like 1 was gone TO sleep all over"
he said.
You'll feel better in moment. Tell
me about Miss Malroy?"
They done fetched us here last night.
l was drivin' Missy into Raleigh-her
and young Masr Hazard-when 70 men
stop'Us in the road
Who were they, do you know" asked
Darlington.
'Lawd-what's that
Darlington, knife in hand, swung about
\
suddenly in his face and Bess Hicks,
with a low startled cry breaking from
her lips. paused in the doorway. Spring
ing forward, Darlington seized her by
the wrist.
Hush! he grimly warned.
What are you dOin' here" demanded
the girl, as she endeavOred to shake off
his hand, but Darlington drew her into
the shed, and closing the door, set his
hack against it, There was a brief 81
lenCe during which Bess regarded the
kentuCkian with a kind of stOld fear
Iessness. She was the first to speak. Il
reckon yOu-all have come after Miss
Malroy," she observed quietly.
Then you reckon right" answered
Darlington. The girl studied him from
beneath her level brows
And you-aIl think you can take her
away from here" she speculated. Il
amt afraid Of yO' knlfe-you-all might
use II fast enough on a man, but not on
me. I'll help you she added CARING
ton gave her an incredulous glance.
You don't believe me? What's to hinder
my calling for help? That would fetch
our men up from the keel boat No
yO'-alIs knife wouldn't stop me-"
Don't be too sure of that" said Car
rington. sternly. The girl met the men
ace Of his words with soft, full-throated
laughter.
why, yo hands shakin' now, Mr..
Carrington!"
You know me?"
Yes; l seen you once at Boggs'." She
made an impatient movement. You can't
do nothing against them TO- men unless
l help you. Miss Malroy's to go down
river tonight; they're only waiting To-
a pilot-you-alrs got to act quick"
why do you want Miss Malroy to
escape?" he said.
The girls mood changed abruptly She
scowled at him.
Il reckon that's a private matter. Amt
ii enough TO you-all to know that 1 do?
I'm showing>how it can be done. Them
four men on the keel boat are strangers
in these parts; they're waiting To- a
pilot, but they don't know who he'll be.
I've heard you-alI was a river man:
what's to hinder yo taking the pilots
place? Looks like yo' was willing to
risk yo' life 70 Miss MaIroy or you
wouldn't be here"
I'm ready" said Darlington, his hand
IN the door.
No, you ain't-jest yet" interposed
the girl hastily. Listen to me first.
They's a dugout tied up bout a hundred
yards above the keel boat; you must get
that to cross in to the other side of the
bayou, then when yo're ready to come
back yo're to whistle three times-its