Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1912-05-23

knew, but he awoke With start ana
. confused sense Of things. II was
evidently very late. probably long
after midnight-but where was his
Uncle Bob?
He sank back ON his pillow intent
and listening. A chilling 5error that
gripped him fast and wodd not let
him go. mounted to his bralp.
Where was his Uncle Hobf Why
didn't he come to bed? Memories OF
idle tales OF men foully deslt with In
these lonely taverns fiashkd through
his mind.
He slid from the bed. and for a
long moment stood cold AID shaking.
his every sense on the aert. with
Infinite caution he got inb his trous-
ers and again paused to listen. since
he feared his least movement might
betray him. Next he secured his
pack, and was ready for Hight.
Encountered BY his belongings. but
with no mind to sacrifice them, he
stepped out upon the shed and made
his way down the slant Of the roof to
the caves. He tossed his bundle to
the ground and going down on his
knees lowered his rifle, letting the
muzzle fall lightly against the side OF
the shed as 1t LETT his hand, then he
lay fiat on his stomach and, feet first.
wriggled out into spacs When he
could no longer preserve his balance,
he gave himself q shove away from
the caves and dropped clear OF the
building.
AS he recovered himself he was
sure he heard door open and closc.
and threw himself prone on the
ground. where the black shadow cas-
by the tavern hid him. At the same
moment two dark figures came from
about corner OF the building. He
could just distinguish that they car
ried some heavy burden between them
and that they staggered as they
moved.
They passed out OF sight, and
breathless and palsied. Hannibal crept
about a corner OF the tavern. He
must be sure!
Presently he heard q distant sound
"a splash-sure!y 1t was a splash.
A little later the men came up the
lane. to disappear In the direction OF
the tavern. Hannibal peered after
them. His very .terfors, while they
wrenched and tortured him, gave him
a desperate kind Of courage AS the
gloom hid the two mem, he start ii
forward again. Hssfeached the end
of the cornfield. climbed q fence, and
entered q -deaSspifE timber. In
the long wet graz 1G&nd where
the men had dras1ta their burden.
He reached down angfsWept his hand
to and fro-once-&y1ce-the third
time his little palm 6ame away red
and discolored.
There was the nSak pale Fremont
ton OF dawn in the sky, and as he
hurried on the light grew, and the
black trunks Of trees detached them
selves from the white mist that filled
the woods and which the dawn made
visible. There was light enough for
him to see that he was following the
trail left by the men. He emerged
upon the bank OF the ELK river. white
like the woods with It's ghostly night
sweat.
The dull beat of the child's heart
quickened as he gazad out on the
swift current that was hurrying on
with its dreadful seciet. Then the
full comprehension OF fis loss seemed
to overwhelm him and he was utterly
desolate. Sobs shook him, and he
dropped on his knees. holding fast to
the stock Of his rifle.
Uncle Bob-Uncle Bob, come
back! Can't you come back!" he
walled miserably. Presently he stag
gered to his feet. AS he glanced
about, he saw almost at his feet a
dug-out. made from q single poplar
log. 1t was secured to an overhang-
ing branch by a length OF a wild
grapevine. With one last fearful look
on across the deadening In the direc-
ton OF the tavern, he crept down to
the waters edge and entered the
canoe. In a moment, he had 1t free
from its lashing and the rude craft
was humping along the bank in spite
OF his best efforts with the paddle.
then favoring current caught It and
swept 1t out toward the center of the
stream.
The next insta;lment of this cap:.
tai story will appear in the next issue
of Tho Chropiclo