The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-06-29

aolilty 70 use the Red Light OUTFIT
as desired. The whole plan was clear.
~ evident, and there would be no de-
lay IN execution-all they we're wait
Ing for was night, and lax guard He
glanced about at the walls of the
room, his eyes grown hard. his teeth
clenched.
Neb," ne said shortly. 81 guess that
was your outfit all right, but they
were not killed by Indians. They
were run down by gang from this
town-the same fellows who have put
you and me In here. don't know
what they we're after-that's TO be
found out later,-but the fight you put
up at the camp spoiled their game for
once, and led to your arrest. They
tailed to get what was wanted In
Carson, and so they trailed the party
10 the Cimmaron Crossing. Then I
got on their track. and fearing the re-
, suit, they've landed me also Now
they'll get rid of US both as best they
can. These fellows won't want any
trial-that would be liable to give the
whole trick awsy-but they have got
TO put us where we won't talk. There
Is an easy way to do this, and that 10
by a lynchiug bee. Do you get my
drift. Neb?-
The whites of the negro's eyes were
very much in evidence. his hands grip
ping at the bench on which he sat.
'Fo' de Lawd, yes, Massa Jack. I
sho' does. corroborates de whole
thug"
Then you are willing to take a
chance with me?"
"Willin'! Why, Massa Jack, Use
overjoyed; I amt gwine leave yer no
mo- Use sho' gwine ter be yo' niger.
What yo' gwine ter dor"
Keith ran his eyes over the walls.
carefully noting every popularity.
We'll remain here quietly just as
long as It is daylight, Neb," he replied
finally. but Wen try every board and
every log to discover some way out.
Just the moment 1t grows dark enough
to slip away without being seen we've
got to hit the prairie. Once south OF
the Arkansas we're safe, but not until
then. Have you made any effort to
get out?"
The negro came over to him, and
bent down.
II was layin' on a board what I'd
worked loose at one end" he whis-
pered hoarsely, back OBJ de bench.
but | couldn't jerk It out wid'out
something ter pry II up wild"
Where is it?"
Right we're, Massa Jack"
Il was a heavy twelve-inch plank.
part OF the flooring. and tho second
from the side-wall. Keith managed
to get grip next to the black fingers,
and the two pressed 1t up far enough
for the white man to run one arm
through the opening up to his shout
der and grope about below.
There's two-foot space there" he
reported, as they let the board settle
silently down into position. THE back
part Of this building must be set up on
piles. | reckon we could pry that
plank up with the bench, Neb. but it's
liable to make considerable racket.
Let's hunt about first for some other
weak spot"
They crept across the floor. testing
each separate board, but without dis
covering place where they could ex-
ert a leverage. The thick planks were
tightly spiked down Nor did the
walls ofrer any better encouragement
Keith lifted himself to the grated
window, getting a glimpse of the
world without, but finding the iron Inn
movable, the screws solidly imbedded
In the outside wood He dropped to
the floor, feeling baffied and discour'
aged.
ut will have to be the plank back
OF the bench, Neb." he announced
briefly. wiping the perspiration from
his face. Get down there. and work
1t as loose as you can without making
any noise, while keep my ear to the
door and listen for any Interruption.
They took turns at this labor, dis
covering loose nail which gave an
opening purchase at the crack. thus
enabling the insertion OF small wood
en- block. and insuring space for
GOOD finger grip when the right time
came A sleepy Mexican brought In
their dinner, and set It down on the
bench without word. but on his re-
turn with supper. the marshal accom-
panied him, and remained while they
ate, talking to Keith. and staring
about the room. Fortunately, the SIN
gle window was to the west. the last
rays OF the sun struck the opposite
wall, leaving the space behind the
bench in deep shadow. Whatever
might be the plans OF BLACK Bart
and his cronies, Keith was soon con.
vinced they were unknown to Hicks,
who had evidently been deceived into
thinking that this last arrest had
created no excitement, a.
That's why We picked yer up %
early" he explained. genially. 'baF'
said II we got to yer afore the boys
woke up they'd never hear nuthin'
bout It, an so thar wouldn't be no
row. He didn't even think thard De
emmy need o. keepin' special guars
ter-nieht. but reckon | won't take
no such chance as that, an I'll nave
couple O. deputies prowlin' round Ter
luck. When Carson does wake up.
she's hell"
He left them tobacco and pipes, and
went away evidently convinced that
n. had nerformed his full duty. the