Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-03-30


the bayou 10 the cabin. and he raA
back up the path the distance OF q
mile ana plunged into the woods On
his rieht. his purpose being to pass
around the head OF the expanse OF
sluggish water 10 a point from which
he could later approach the cabin.
But the cabin proved to be better
defended than he had foreseen; and
AS he advanced. the difficulties Of the
task he had set himself became al
most insurmountable; yet sustained
as he was by his imperative need. he
tore his way through the labyrinth OF
trailing vines. or fioundered across
acre-wide patches OF green slime and
black mud, which at each step threat
ened 10 engulf him In their PREACHER
Gus depths. until at the end OF an
hour he gained the southern side OF
the clearing and iirmer footing
within the shelter OF the woods.
Here he paused and took stock OF
his surroundings. The two or three
buildings Mr.. Hicks had erected stood
midway OF the clearing and we're very
modest improvements adapted TO their
owners somewhat tiippant pursuit OF
agriculture. While Darlington was
still staring about him. the cabin door
swung open and woman stepped
forth. Il was the girl Bess. She went
to corner OF the building and called
loudly:
Joel Oh. joel"
Darlington glanced in the direction
OF the keel boat and an instant later
saw Slosson Chamber over its side.
The tavernkeeper crossed to the cab
In. where he was met by Bess, who
placed in his hands what seemed to
be q wooden bowl. With this he
slouched of TO one OF the outbuild-
ings, which he entered. Ten or mr.
teen minutes slipped by. then he came
from the shed and after securing the
door, returned to the cabin. lie was
again met by Bess, VINO relieved him
OF the bowl; they exchanged few
words and Slosson walked away and
afterward disappeared over the side
OF the keel boat.
This much was clear 10 the Ken
tuckian: food had been taken TO some
one In the shed-to Betty and the
boy!-more likely 10 George.
lie waited now for the night 10
come, and to him the sun seemed
fixed IN the heavens. At Belle Plain
Tom Ware was watching II with
shuddering sense OF the swiftness OF
its flight But at last the tops OF the
tall trees obscured it; it sank quickly
then and blazed a ball of fire beyond
the Arkansas coast. while its dying
glory spread aslant the heavens. turn
ing 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 hideously on its wooden
hinges when he pushed II open. but "a
II swung back the last remnant o,
the days light showed him some dark
object lying prone on the dirt floor.
lie reached down and his hand rested
on q 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 ana
legs securely bound. Thinking hs
slept, the Kentuckian shook him gent
ly TO arouse him.
GEORGE" he repeated, still bend
Ing above him. This time an inartic-
ulate murmur answered him. At the
same instant the woolly head OF tho
negro came under his fingers and no
discovered the reason of his silence.
lie was as securely gagged as he was
bound