The Washington herald., 1911-11-05
CHAPTER XIV.
Prisoners.

In the face of Bettys indignant pro-
test slosson and the man named Bunker
climbed into the carriage.
Don't you be scared, ma'am," said
the tavern keeper, who smelt strongly OF
whisky. 'I wouldn't lift my hand ag'in
no good-Iooking female except in kind
ness"
How dare you stop my carriage?"
cried Betty, with a very genuine anger
which for the moment dominated all her
other emotions. She struggled to her
feet, but SIosson put out heavy hand
and thrust her back.
There now" he urged soothingly.
Why make a fuss? We amt going to
harm you; We wouldn't for no sum of
money. Drive on, Jim-drive like hell!'
This last was addressed to the man who
had taken Georges place on the box,
where a fourth member of Slosson's band
had forced the coachman down into the
narrow space between the seat and dash
board and was holding pistol to his
head while he sternly enjoined silence.
With a word to the horses Jim swung
about and the carriage rolled OF through
the night at a breakneck pace. Betty s
shaking hands drew Hannibal closer to
her side as she felt the surge Of her
men-where could they be taking her
and for what purpose? The events of the
past week linked themselves in tragic
sequence in her mind. What was Il she
had to fear? Was II Tom for whom
these men were acting? Tom who would
profit greatly by her disappearance or
death!
They swept past the entrance at Belle
Plain, past a break in the wall Of the
x1yha he la HOh Of ats
showed Betty the cornfield she and Han
nibal had but lately crossed, and then on
into pitchy darkness again. She clung to
the desperate hope that they might meet
some one on the road, when she could
cry out and give the alarm. She held
herself in readiness for this, but there
was only the steady pounding OF the big
them forward. At last he abruptly
checked them, and Bunker and Slosson
sprang from their seats.
Get down, ma 'amr' said the latter.
Where are you taking me"' asked
Betty, in a voice that shook IN spite OF
her efforts to control 1t.
You must hurry, ma'am," urged Slos-
son impatiently.
"I won't move until I know where you
intend taking me-" cried Betty. IF am
Mr.. slosson laughed loudly and IN
diligently.
"You amt. If you don't want to walk,
I'm man enough TO to tote you. We
amt far to go, and I've tackled jobs
I'd heap less heart fo' in my/time." he
concluded gallantly. From the opposite
side OF the carriage Bunker swore nerv-
ously. He desired to know II they were
to stand there talking all night. Shut
your filthy mouth, Bunker, and see you
keep tight hold of that young rip-sta-
ver" said Slosson. He's perfect eel
I've had dealings with him afore!"
You tried to kill my Uncle Bob-at
the tavern, you and Capt. Murrell. I
heard you, and 1 seen you drag him to
the riverr" cried Hannibal
slosson gave a start Of astonishment
at this.
why amt he hateful - he exclaimed
aghsst. See here. young feller, that's
no kind Of way fo' you to take to a
man who has riz his ten children"
Again Bunker swore. while Jim told
Slosson to make haste. This popular
clamor served to recall the tavern keeper
to a sense of duty.
''Ma'am, like should tote you, or will
you walk?" he inquired, and reaching
out his hand took hold of Betty.
'TlI> walk" said the girl quickly,
shrinking from the contact :
Keep close at my heels. Bunker, you
tuck along after her with the boy"
What about this nigger?" asked the
fourth man.
Fetch him along with u.s." said Slos-
son. They turned from the road while
he was speaking and entered a narrow.
path that led on through the woods. ap-
parently in the direction Of the river.
A moment later Betty heard the carriage
drive away. They went onward In ST.
lence for little time, then Slosson spike
over his shoulder.