The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-08-02
CHAPTER XIX fcontinued)

AS they stumbled forward through
the thick abscurity he continued his
personal revelations, the present en-
terprise having reused whatever there
was of sentiment slumber1ng In his
soul. At sst they came out on a
wide bayou, a white mist hung above
1t, and on the low shore leaf and
branch were dripping with the night
dews. Keeping close to the waters
edge Slosson led the way to point
where skin was drawn up on the
bank.
Step in, ms'am," he said, when he
had launched 1t.
Il will go no farther!" said Betty
in desperation. She felt an over
mastering fear, the full horror OF the
unknown lay hold of her, and she gave
a piercing cry for help. Slosson swung
about on his heel and seized her. For
a moment she struggled to escape.
but the mans big hand pinioned her.
mo more of that!" he warned. then
he recovered himhelf and laughed.
You could yell til! YOU was black in
ldCc, oAeu lhCi OS NJ
one to hear you"
Where are you taking me?" and
Betty's voice falterea between the
sudden sobs that chohed her.
Just across to Geol &c Hicks S.
For what purpose?"
You'll know in plenty OF time"
And Slosson leered at her through the
darkness.
Hannibal is to go with me?" asked
Betty tremulously.
"gure!" agreed Slosson affabIy.
'Your niger, too-quite party
Betty stepped into the skiff. She
felt her hopes quicken-she was think
ing of Bess; whatever the girls mo-
tfves, she had wished her to escape.
She would wish it now more than
ever since the very thing she had
striven to prevent had happened.
Slosson seated himself and took up
the oars, Bunker followed with Han
nibal and they pushed on. No word
was spoken until they disembarked on
dressed Bunker.
"I reckon / can manage that young
rip-staver; you go back after Sherrod
and the nigger," he said.
He conducted his captives up the
bank and they entered a clearing.
Looking across this Betty saw where
q cabin window framed a, single
square of light They advanced to-
ward this and presently the dark out
line Of the cabinet itself became dis
tinguishabIe. moment later Slos-
son paused, door yielded to his
hand, and Betty and the boy were
thrust into the room.
Here's yo' guests, old LADY," said
Mr.. Slosson. Mrs. Hicks rose from
the three-legged stool on which she
was sitting.
Hand me the candle, Bess." she
ordered
At one side OF the room was a steep
flight OF stairs which gave access to
the loft o-erhead. Mrs. Hicks, by a
gesture, signitied that Betty and Han
nibal were to ascend these stairs !:
they d,d so and found themselves on
a narrow landing inclosed by a par,
tition OF rough planks; this partition
was pierced by low door
In yonder." she said briefly. nod.
ding toward the door
"Wait!" cried Betty in a whisper.
NO." said the woman with an al.
most masculine surliness of tone Il
got nothing to say" She pushed them
into the attic. and, closing the door
fastened it with a stout wooden bar.
Beyond that door, which seemed to
have closed on every hope. Betty held
the tallow dip aloft, and by it's uncer
tain and Pickering Ilgnt surveyed her
prison. The briefest glance sutf1ced
The room contained two shake-down