The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-08-29

| ger OF meeting 1t IL the middle OF
the. stream. The current was quite
rapid, and before be was aware Of it
he was close to the boat. 1t was evi-
dently ferryboat, and Mark. who
knew the location Of Browns ferry
from the maps. judged that it was the
boat belonging there.
But Mark was concerned with other
considerations besides his local ton just
then. he was TOO late to get out OF
the way unobser7ed by swimming
aside. He made up his mind in
twinkling what to do. Drawing sew
eral long breaths be filed his lungs
with air, and then putting bis head
down and his feet up be threw him
self under water. He had often been
beneath the surface for a considerable
time, but never as long as now. He
remained under as long as be thought
be possibly could. and then staid awhile
longer. When be came to light again
the boat was a hundred yards above
him and to the west Of him.
Another mile brought him to an is
land. He remembered it on his map
as Williams island, and knew that it
was about two miles long. He recalled
the fact that the only creek flowing
into the river in this vicinity entered
it midway between the north and south
end Of this island, and on his right. If
he remembered Alright. He had about
mile to go to reach the mouth Of
this creek.
Striking out, he directed his course
to the eastward of the island and swan
very near to the east bank OF the
river. Along this be doated with
scarcely a stroke. except to keep in
close to the shore. watching eagerly
for the mouth Of the creek. Fortunate
" when be reached it he discovered 1t.
and where be had supposed he would
find it. With few lusty strokes be
was in it and soon at place where
be could rest in the water with his
feet on terra 6rma.
But the knowledge that the dogs
would soon be upon him prevented a
rest of long duration. Perhaps party
would cross the neck of Moccasin point.
thus cutting off a greater part Of the
long distance over which be had float
ed. The thought added new terror,
and be began to. wade and to swim
alternately. as was necessary, up the
creek. Presently be came to the cross
ing of road. He drew himself up on
to it and looked around. AS scout
he had long been accustomed to keep
his mind fixed on points along the
paths he Travelled, in order that he
might know them again. As soon as
he saw the little bridge-if It could
be called a bridge-he knew that he
was on the Chattanooga pike. over
which he had passed few days be-
fore. and at the junction Of the creek
running near the FANS plantation.
Mark had not considered what he
would do in case he should succeed In
getting safely across the river. While
in jail he felt that once out and
across the Tennessee he would feel as
sured Of safety. Now this had been
accomplished. he began to realize that
but half the battle had been won. In
deed there were more chances that be
would be retaken than that he would
ever reach the Union lines.
He wrung the water from bis clothes
and put them on, shielding his face
with his sunbonnet for, though he had
no mirror to inspect his features. be
fancied they must be streaked with
burnt cork softened by water. Then
setting out toward the Fain plantation
he deliberated what be should do
It was now between eleven and twelve
o'clock-so Mark judged by the moon
being on the meridian-and he knew
that all the Fains were asleep. he
reached the corner Of the yard and was
about to enter it when he heard q
cletter Of boots behind him. he had
hardly time to vault the fence and
crouch behind it when troop Of horse
men crossed the bridge over the creek.
4uey OIc" kO1l OA %AC oA%A~A oANS -~0S
hundred yards away from him Mark
heard a voice:
Lieutenant, take ten men and SCOUT
the bank Of the river from this on to
the next creek. where will make an
other detail"
The lieutenant with his men broke
away from the column. which moved
forward. passing within fifty feet OF
where Mark lay crouching.
Mark was fox a few moments so
completely overcome By the narrow
ness Of his escape that he seemed to
have no power to move. If be had
been five minutes later, his capture
would have been almost certain. for
they would likely have discovered him
between the road and the river, which
space they were evidently intending to
scour.
He got up, and getting on the outside
Of the fence walked beside portion Of
it which led back from the road. design
ing to enter the negro quarters IN the