The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-07-06

the iron grating being blotted from
sight Keith, staring in that direction,
failed to perceive any distant gIimmer
of star, and decided the night must be
cloudy, and that time for action had
COME. Guided by Neb's pipe bowl
he touched the boy On the shoulder.
Knock out your ashes, and shuttle
about lively with your feet, while ]
pry up the board"
In spite of his slenderness, Keith
possessed unusual strength, yet no ex
ertion on his part served to start the
loosened plank sufficiently for their
purpose. Ripping strip from the
bench he managed to pry the hole
somewhat larger, arranging the bench
itself SO as 10 afford the necessary
leverage, but even then his entire
weight failed 70 either start the
spikes, or crack the plank. Some al
tercation began In the other room, the
sound of angry voices and shuffiins
feet being plainly audible. 1t was clear
TO Keith that they must take the
chance of noise, and no better tina
than this could be chosen
Here. Neb, take hold with me. ani
bear down--put your whole weight ON
1t, boy"
The two flung themselves upon the
end of the bench, feaplng up and down
SO 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, with a shrill screech, the
long spikes yielded and the board
suddenly gave. With shoulders In
serted beneath. the two men heaved
1t still higher. ramming the bench be-
low SO as to leave the opening clear.
This was now sufficiently ample for
the passage Of q 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 rudeiy
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 difficulty
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 breathless 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 55llackness. Evi-
IDENTIFY the regular evening saturnaiia
had not yet begun, although there was
already semblance of life about the
numerous saloons, and an occasional
shout punctured the stiffness. dog
howled In the distance, and the pound
Ing OF swift hoofs 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
IL only once turned loose. That II
would be turned loose. and also d.
rected, the man lying on his face IN
the grass felt fully assured. He smiled
erimly, wishing he might benoio
Black Bart's" face when he should
discover the fight 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
biacksmith's shop?" he asked. point
Ing.
The negro stared IN the direction IN
dioated. confused By the shadows
thrown by the dim lights.
Il reckn dey am. Massa Jack;