The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-08-03

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to her feet. but Slosson put out
heavy hand and thrust her back.
There now" he urged soothingly.
why make a fuss? We amt going
to harm you; we wouldn't for no sum
of money. Drive on, Jim-drive like
hell" This last was addressed to
the man who had taken Georges place
on the box. where a fourth member
of Slosson's band had forced the
coachman down into the narrow space
between the seat and dashboard. and
was holding a pistol to his head while
he sternly enjoined silence.
With a word to the horses Jim
swung about and the carriage rolled
of through the night at a breakneck
pace. Betty's shaking hands drew
Hannibal closer to her side as she
felt the surge of her terrors rise with
in her. Who were these men-where
could they be taking her-and for
what purpose? The events OF the past
week linked themselves In tragic Sc
quence In her mind. What was 1t
she had to fear? Was 1t Tom for
whom these men were acting? Tom
who would profit greatly by her dis
appearance or death!
They swept past the entrance at
Belle Plain. past break in the wall
of the forest where the pale light OF
stars showed Betty the cornfield she
and Hannibal had but lately crossed,
and then on into pitchy darkness
again. She chung to the desperate
hope that they might meet some one
on the road, when she could cry out
and give the alarm. She held herself
in readiness for this, but there was
only the steady pounding OF the big
bays as Jim with voice and whip
urged them forward. At last he abb
ruptly checked them, and Bunker and
Slosson sprang from their seats.
Get down, ma'am!" said the lat
ter.
Where are you taking me?" asked
Betty, in voice that shook In spite
of her efforts to control it.
You must hurry. ma'am." urged
Slosson impatiently.
Il won't move until know where
you intend taking mel" said Betty.
IF l am to die"
Mr.. Slosson laughed loudly and In
diligently.
You amt. II you don't want to
walk, I'm man enough To- to tote you.
We amt far to go. and I've tackled
jobs I'd heap less heart To- In my
time" he concluded calamity. From
the opposite side of the carriage
Bunker swore nervously. He desired
to know II they were to stand there
talking all night. shut your filthy
mouth, Bunker, and see you keep tight
hold Of that young rip-staver." said
Slosson. Hes a perfect eel-i've
had dealings with him afore!"
You tried to Kill my Uncle Bob
at the tavern. you and Captain Muir
rell. heard you. and. seen you dral
| him to the river!" cried Hannibal
Slosson gave a start OF astonish
ment at this.
why, amt he hateful?" ne ex
claimed aghast. See here. young
Teller, that's no kind of q way To- YOU
to talk to a man who has riz bill
ten children!"
Again Bunker swore, while Jim tolt
Slosson to make haste. This popular
clamor served to recall the tavern
keeper to a sense of duty.
"Ma'am, like l should tote you. o.
will you walk?" he inquired. ant
reaching out his hand took hold o
Betty.
I'll walk" said the girl quickly
shrinking from the contact.
Keep close at my heels. Bunker
you tuck along after her with tn
boy"
What about this nigger?" aske,
the fourth man.
/ Fetch him along with US" SAT-
Slosson. They turned from the roa'
while he was speaking and entered
narrow path that led on through tn
woods, apparently In the direction o
the river. A moment later Bett.
heard the carriage drive away. The,
went onward in silence for q littl
time, then Slosson spoke over hi
shoulder.
Yes, ma'am, I've riz ten children
but none of 'em was like him
trained 'em up to the minute!" MI
Slosson seemed to have passed con
pletely under the spell of his domei
tic recollections, for he continue
with just q touch Of reminiscent SAD
ness in his tone. There was all toll
four Mrs, Slossons: two OF 'em wa
South Carolinians. one was from Geo
gia, and the last was widow lad
out Of east Tennessee. Shed burie
three husbands, and l figured "
could start perfectly even" The II