The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-12-27
PAGE EIGHT
CHAPTER xxi.

CHAPTER XII
The Cabin Across the Bayou.
Tom Ware was seated alone over
Eis breakfast. He had left his bed
as the pale morning light crept across
THE great fields that were alike his
pride and his despair-what was the
use of trying to sleep when sleep was
an impossibility! He was about to
quit the table when big Steve entered
che room to say tAere was white
fellow at the door.
"Fetch him along in here," said
Ware.
The white fellow delivered pen
ciled note from Murrell. When he was
gone, the planter ordered his horse:
As Ware rode away from Belle Plain
he cursed Murrell under his breath.
His own inclination toward evil was
never robust; he could have connived
over a long period of years to despoil
Betty Of her property, but murder
and abduction was quite another
thing.
Three miles from Belle Plain he en-
tered a bride path that led toward
the river. A growth of smaller timber
was standing along the waters edge,
but as he drew nearer, those better
ments which the resident of that lone
~ spot had seen fit to make for his
own convenience, came under his
scrutiny; these consisted of log cab
in and several lesser sheds.
Landing, he advanced toward the
cabin. As he did so he saw two women
at work hecking fax under an open
Shed. They we're the wife and daugh-
ter of George Hicks, the overseer's
Brother.
Morning, Mrs. Hicks" he said, adj
dressing himself to the mother, a
a1ulking ruffian of woman. ANYBODY
with the captain?"
Colonel Fentress is"
"Humph!" muttered Ware. He
moved to the door of the cabin and en-
tered the room where Murrell and
Fentress were seated facing each 9th
eer across the breakfast table.
t'Welr, what the devil do you want
of me, anyhow" demanded the plant
"How's your sister, Tom?" inquired
Murrell.
81 reckon she's the way you'd ex-
pect her to be-" Ware dropped his
voice to q whisper.
s.John, you'll ruin yourself with
your damned crazy infatuation!" 1t
was Fentress who spoke.
mo I won't, Colonel, but I'm not
going to discuss that. All. want is
FOR Tom to 60 to Memphis and stay
there for a couple of days. When he
come back Belle Plain and it's mig
gers will be as good as his. l am 60
ing to take the girl away from there
tonight. How soon can you get away
from here, Tom?" he asked abruptly
"By God. can't go too soon!" cried
the planter, staggering to his feet. He
gave Fentress hopeless beaten look.
<'You're my witness that first and last
Eve no part in this!"
The colonel shrugged his shoulders.
Murrell reached out hand and rest
ed it on Wares arm.
Keep your wits, Tom, and within q
week people will have forgotten all
about Norton and your sister. ! am
going to give them something else to
worry over"
Ware went from the cabin.
<'LoOk here, how about the bOy-are
you ready for him if l can get my
hands on him? I'll send him either up
or down the river and place him in
safe keeping where you can get him
at any time you want
''This must be done without VIC
lence joint" stipulated Fentress.
Certainly, 1 understand. Which
shall it be-up or down river"
"Could you take care of him below
at Natchez for me?" inquired Fen
tress.
'As well there as anywhere"
<'Good!" said Fentress, and took his
leave.
Three-quarters of an hour slipped
by, then, piercing the silence, Murrell
heard a shrill whistle; it was twice
repeated; he saw Bess go down to the
landing again. A half hour elapsed
and a man issued from the scattering
growth of bushes that screened the
shore. The newcomer crossed the
clearing and entered the cabin. He
was young fellow of twenty-four OF
five, whose bronzed face wore reck
less expression.
well, Captain, what's doing?" he
asked,
eff anythings to be done, now is the
time, Hues. What have you to report?'
"Well, I've seen the council of eacf
Cldu uINlSlOu. lucy are 11pc W oIdi
this thing Off"
Murrell gave him moment Of
moody regard.
Twice already I've named the day
and hour. but now Pm going to put il
;. through" He set his teeth and thrust
out his jaw.
Captain, you're the greatest fellow
I'M America! Inside OF week mer
who have never been within five hun
,dred miles of you will be asking Of
/, each other who John Murrell is!'
Z Murreli had expected to part with
Hues then and there and for ell time
but Hues possessed qualities which
might still be of use.
SsHues, you must start back across
Tennessee. Make it Sunday at mid
night-that three, days off," Uncon
sciously his voice sank to whisper.
Sunday at midnight" repeated
Hues slowly.
''When you have passed the word in
to middle Tennessee, turn south and
make the best of your way to New Or
leans Don't stop for anything-pusf