The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-02-21
ing and the keel boat, where it rested
hoy,

ing and the keel boat, where it rested
against the bank.
A little farther on he found the spot
where Slosson had launched the skiff
the night before. The keel Of his boat
had cut deep into the slippery clay;
more than this, the impress of the
small shoe was repeated here, and just
beside it was the print of child's
bare foot.
He no longer doubted that Betty
and Hannibal had been taken across
the bayou to the cabin, and he ran
back up the path the distance of a
mile and plunged into the woods on his
right, his purpose being to pass around
the head of the expanse of sluggish
water to 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 floundered across
acre-wide patches of green slime and
black mud, which at each step threat.
ened to engulf him in their treacher'
Gus depths, until at the end of an hour
he gained the southern side of the
clearing and firmer 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 were very
modest improvements adapted to their
owners somewhat flippant pursuit OF
agriculture While Darlington was
still staring about him, the cabin door
swung open and woman stepped out.
1t was the girl Bess. She went to a
corner Of the building and called
loudly:
Joe! Oh, joel"
Darlington glanced in the direction
of the keel boat and an instant later
saw Slosson Chamber over it's side. The
tavern keeper crossed to the cabin,
where he was met by Bess, who placed
in his hands what seemed to be a
wooden bowl With this he slouched
off to one of the outbuildings, which
he entered. Ten or fifteen minutes
slipped by, then he came from the
shed and after securing the door, re-
turned to the cabin. He was again
met by Bess, who relieved him of the
BOWL they exchanged few words
and Slosson walked away and after
ward disappeared over the side of the
keel boat.
This much was clear to the Ken
tuckian; food had been taken to some
one in the shed-to Betty and the boy
more likely to George.
He waited now for the night to
come, and to him the sun seemed fixed
in the heavens. At Belle Plain Tom
Ware was watching it with shud-
dering 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 it's 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 it's wooden hing
es when he pushed it open, but as 1t
swung back the last remnant of the
days light showed him some dark
object lying prone on the dirt floor.
He reached down and his hand rest
ed on mans booted foot.
George" Darlington spoke softly,
but the man on the floor gave no sign
that he heard, and Darlington ques-
tioning touch stealing higher he found
that George-if it were George-was|
lying on his side with his arms and
legs securely bound. Thinking bel
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 the
negro came under his fingers and he
discovered the reason of his silence.
He was as securely gagged as he was
bound.
Listen, George-it's Carrington-l|
am going to take off this gag, but
don't speak above a whisper-they
nav hear u.s." And he cut the cords
that held the gag in place.
uLJou, va, Uot bora Mac'r. CARING