The Detroit times., 1911-11-14
CHAPTER xxxlll.
lContInuedl.

Joe! oh. joel"
Darlington glanced in the direction
OF the keel boat and an instant later
saw Slosson Chamber over its side
The tavern.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 outbuild
ings. which he entered. Ten or If
teen minutes slipped by, then he
came from the shed and after secur
ing the door. returned TO the cabin
He was again met by Bees, who re-,
heved him of the bowl; they OK,
changed a few words and Slosson
walked away and afterward dlsap'
peared over the side OF the keel boat.
This much was clear TO the Ken
tuckian: 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
fixed In the heavens. At Belle Plain
Tom Ware was watching il with a
shuddering sense of the swiftness OF
its flight. But at last the tops of the
tall trees obscured II; 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
listen. and fancied he heard difficult
breathing from within. The door
creaked hideousiy on it's wooden
hinges when he pushed It open. but
as II 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
tioning touch stealing higher he found
that George-if II were George-was
lying on his side with his arms and
legs securely bound. Thinking ht
slept, the Kentuckian shook him gent
ly to arouse him.
"George?" he repeated. still bending
above him. This time an inarticulat'
murmur answered him. AT the same
instant the woolly head OF the Negro
came under his fingers and he dis
covered the reason OF his silence. Hs
was as securely gagged as he wa!
bound.
Listen, George-it's Darlington
am going TO take on this gag. bu
don't speak above whisper=the!
may hear u.s." And he cut the cords
that held the gag in place.
How yo' get here. Mas'r Gazing
TONI asked the Negro guardedly, al
the gag fell away.
Around the head OF the bayou"
"Lawd!" exclaimed George, In {
tone of wonder
Where's Miss Betty"
She's In the cabin yonder-fo' the
love OF God, cut these here othe1
ropes with yo' knife. Mas'r Ca1ngtor
I'm peri!~lin' with 'em!" Darlington
did as he asked. and grooming. Georg'
sat erect. I'm like was gone tt
sleep all over" he said.
You'll feel better in a moment
Tell me about Miss Malroy?"
They done fetched US here las
night was drivin' Missy into RIA
leigh-her and young Mas,r Hazard
when TO men stop us in the road"
WHO were they, do you know?
asked Darlington.
"Lawd-what's that?'
Darlington, knife in hand swunt
about on his heel. A lanterns ligh
flashed suddenly in his face and Bes'
Hicks. with a low startled cry break
Ing from her lips, paused in the door
way. Springing forward, Carringtor
seized her by the wrist.
Hush" he grimly warned.
what are you doin' here" de
manded the girl. as she endeavoret
to shake off his hand, but Caring
ton drew her into the shed and clos
| ing the door, set his back against II
There was a brief silence during
which Bess regarded the Kentuckiar
with a kind of stolid fearlessness
She was the first to speak. Il reck
on you.all have come after Miss Nal
row" she observed quietly.
Then you reckon right" answered
Darlington. The girl studied hin
from beneath her level brows.
And you.all think you can TAX,
her away from here" she speculated
II amt afraid OF yo' knfe-you-al
might use II fast enough on a man
but not on me. I'll help you" sh,
added. Darlington gave her an In
credulous glance. you don't bellev,
me? What's 10 hinder my calling TO
helm? That would fetch our men nj