Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-04-11

excltement, ready for any wild orgy.
II only once turned loose. That it
would be turned loose, and also d.
rected, the man lying on his face in
the grass felt fully assured. He smiled
grimly, wishing he might behold
"Black Bart's" face when he should
discover the flight Of his intended VIC
tins. But there was no time to lose;
every moment gained, added to their
chance of safety.
Are those horses tied there by the
blacksmith's shop7" he asked, point
ing.
The negro stared in the direction in
dicated, confused by the shadows
thrown by the dim lights.
Il reck'n dey am. Massa Jack;
done make out fo'''
Then two Of them must belong to
US; come on, boy"
He ran forward, crouching behind
every chance cover, and keeping we'll
back behind the line of shacks. A
slight depression In the prairie helped
conceal their movements, and neither
spoke until they were crouching to-
gether beside the wall of the shop.
Then Neb, teeth chattering, managed
to blurt out:
60 de Lawd's sake. yer don't actu-
ally mean ter steal dem hosses?"
Keith glanced about at the others
dim, black shadow.
Sure not; just borrow EN-"
But OATS hangin' lob in dis yere
country, Massa Jack"
Sure 1t is II they catch US. But
we'd be strung up anyway, and We
can't be hung twice. Besides there is
a chance for us With the ponies, and
none at all without. An hours start
In the saddle, Neb, and this bunch
back here will never even find our
trail; l pledge you that Come. boy,
stay close with me-"
1t was the quiet, confident voice Of
assured command, of one satisfied
with his plans, and the obedient negro,
breathing hard, never dreamed of OPP
position; all instinct of slavery held
him to the dominion of this white mas
ter. Keith leaned forward, staring at
Iu0 OIL ll1G VI uCoOiSSo PCAASo SASu W
the rail. Success depended on his
choice, and he could judge very little
in that darkness. Men were strag-
Cling in along the street to their right,
on foot and horseback, and the sa-
loon on the corner was being we'll pat
ronized. A glow Of light streamed
forth from its windows, and there was
the sound of many voices. But this
narrow alley was deserted, and black.
The fugitive stepped boldly forward.
afraid that otherwise he might startle
the ponies and thus create an alarm.
Guided by horseman's instinct he
swiftly ran his hands over the animals
and made quick selection.
Here, Neb, take this fellow; lead
him quietly down the bank" and he
thrust the loosened rein into the
blacks hand.
An instant later he had chosen his
own mount, and was silently moving
in the same direction. although the
night there was so black that the
obedient negro had already entirely
vanished. The slope of the land not
only helped cover their movements,
but also rendered it easy for them to
and one another. Fully hundred yards
westward they met, where gully led
directly down toward the river. There
was no longer need for remaining on
foot, as they were a sufficient distance
away from the little town to feel no
tear of being discovered, unless by
some drunken straggler. At Keiths
command the negro climbed into his
saddle. Both ponies were FESTIVE, but
not vicious, and after plunge or two.
TO test their new masters, came easily
under control. Keith led the way.
moving straight down the gully, which
gradually deepened, burying them in
Its black heart, until it finally de-
bouched onto the river sands. The
riotous noises of the drunken town
died slowly away behind, the night
silent and dark. The two riders could
scarcely distinguish one another as
they drew rein at the edge of the wa
ter. To the southwark there cleaned
cluster of lights, marking the posi-
ton of the camp Of regulars. Keith
drove his horse deeper into the stream
and headed northward, the negro fol-
lowing like a shadow.
There was ford directly opposite
the cantonment, and another, moro
dangerous, and known to only few,
three miles farther up stream. Keep
ing well. within the waters edge, 80
as to thus completely obscure their
trail, yet not daring to venture deep for
fear of striking quicksand, the plains
man set his pony struggling forward,
until the dim outline of the bank at
his right rendered him confident that
they had attained the proper point for
crossing. He had been that way only
once before, and realized the danger Of
attempting passage In such darkness,