The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-08-18
AfALE OF THE PLANS

monplace robbery, would account for
the deed, OF for the desperate efforts
now being made to conceal it.
Some way. these questions, thus
surging upon him. became a call Ia
live. to fight, to unravel their mystery.
The memory of hat sweet-faced wom-
an who had bent above him when the
fever began its mastery, appealed to
him now with the opportunity of serv-
ice. He might be able to clear this,
bring to her the truth, rave her from
despair. and hand over to Justice the
murderers of her husband. II was up
to him alone to accomplish this-no
one else knew what he knew, suspect
ed what he suspected. And there was
but one way-through escape. To re-
main there in weak surrender to fate
could have but one ending, and that
swift and sudden. He had no doubt
as to BLACK Bart's' purpose, or Of his
ability to use the Red Light" outfit
as desired. The whole plan was clear
ly evident, and there would be no de-
lay in execution-all they were wait
ing for was night, and a lax guard. He
glanced about at the walls of the
room, his eyes grown hard, his teeth
clenched.
"Neb," he said shortly, II guess that
was your outfit all right, but they
were not killed by Indians. They
were run down by a gang from this
town-the same fellows who have put
you and me in here. / don't know
what they were 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
failed to get what was wanted In
Carson, and so they trailed the party
to 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 VI both ~ best they
can. These fellows won't want any
trial-that would be liable to give the
whole trick away-but they have got
to put us where We won't talk. There
is an easy way to do this. and that is
by a lynching bee. Do you get my
drift, Neb?"
The whites of the negro's eyes were
very much in evidence. hts hands grip
ping at the bench on which he sat.
"Fo' de Lawd. yes. Massa Jack, I
sho' does. corroborates de whole
thing"
Then you are willing to take .
chance with met"
"Willin'! Why. Massa Jack, Tse
overjoyed; I amt gwine leave yer no
mo-. Use sho' gwine ter be yo' niger.
What yo' gwine ter do?"
Keith ran HIS eyes over the walls.
carefully noting every popularity.
Well remain here quietly Just as
long as 1t is daylight, Neb," he replied
finally, but we'll 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 n effort to
get out?"
The negro came Owe to him, and
bent down.
II was layin' on a board what I'd
worked loose at one end" he whfs-
pered h%oarsely. back OBJ de bench,
but I couldn't jerk It nut wid'out
something ter pry ii up wild"
Where is 1T"
Right we're, Massa Jack"
It vas q heavy ~twelveinch plank,
part of the flooring. and the second
from the side-wall. Keith managed
TO get a grip text to the black ingers,
and the two pressed II 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 a two-f0ot space there" he
reported. as they let the board settle
silently down into position. 1.-THE back
part Of this building must be set up on
piles. I 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 a place where they could ex-
ert a leverage. The thick banks were
tightly spiked down. Nor did the
wallis OTTER any better encouragement
Keith lifted himself to the grated
window. getting q glimpse of the
world without, but finding the iron i'm.
movable, the screws solidly imbedded
in the outside wood. He dropped to
the floor, feeling bafled and discour
aged.
1T will have to be tho plank hack
of the bench, Neb." he announced
briefly. wiping the perspiration from
his face. Get down there, and work
IL a. loose as you can without making
any noise. while I keep my ear to the
door and listen for any Interruption
They took turns at this labor, dis.
covering . loose nail which Uvs an
opening purchase 1t the crack. thus
enabling the insertion Of q small wood
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