Putnam patriot., 1912-05-17

Il night. was drivin' Missy into Ral- eigh-her and young Mas'r Hazard-l when fo' men stop Us in the road !
 "Who were they. do you know?", asked Darlington.
 "Lawd-what's that?'
 Darlington, knife in hand. swung about on his heel A lanterns hght flashed suddenly in his face and Bess Hicks. with low startled cry break ing from her lips, paused in the door way. Springing forward Darlington seized her by the wrist.
 "Hush," he grimiy warned.
 What are you doin' here?" demand ed the girl, as she endeavored to shake off his hand, but Darlington drew her into the shed. and closing the door. set his back against it, There was & brief silence during which Bess re- garded the Kentuckian with a kind of stolid fearlessness. She was the first to speak. T reckon you-all have come after Miss Mslroy." she observed quietly.
 Then you reckon right" answered Darlington. The girl studied him from her level brows.
 And you-all think you can take her away from here she speculated. "I aint afraid Of yo' knlfe-you-ali might use 1t fast enough on man. but not on me. Hi help you" she added. Darlington gave her an in credulous glance. You don't believe me? That would fetch our men up from the keel boat. No-yo-alrs knife wouldn't stop mel"
 Don't be too sure of that" said Darlington stsrnly. The girl met the menace of his words with soft, full. throated laughter.
 why, yo' hands shakin' now. MT. Carrington!"
 You know me2"
 "Yes, I seen you once at Boggs'." She made an impatient movement. You can't do nothing against them fo' men unless l help you. Miss Nal, roys to go down river tonight; they're only waiting fo pilot-you. alrs got to act quick
 Darlington hesitated
 Why do you want Miss Malroy to eseape?n he said.
 The girls mood changed abruptly She scowled at him.
 T reckon that's a private matter. Amt it enough fo' you-all to know that I do? I'm showing how it can be done. Them four men on the keel boat are strangers in these parts, they're waiting fo' a pilot, but they don't know who he'll be. I've heard you-all was a riyer-man; what's to hinder yo taking the pilots place? Looks like yo' was willing to risk yo life fo Miss Malroy or you wouldn't be here"
 I'm ready" said Darlington, his hand on the door.
 No, you ain't-jest yet" interposed the girl hastily. Listen to me first. Theys a dugout tied up bout a hun dred yards above the keel boat; you must get that to cross in to the other side of the bayou, then when yo're ready to come back yo're to whistle three times-it's the signal we're ex pecting-and I'll TOW across fo' you in one of the skiffs."
 Gan you see Miss Malroy in the meantime?"
 "If I want to, they's nothin' to hin- der me-" responded Bess sullenly.
 Tell her then" began Caring ton, but Bess interrupted him.
 "I know what yo' want. She ain't to cry out or nothin' when she sees you-all. I got sense enough fo' that" :"
 Darlington looked at her cur1ously.
 This may be a serious business for your people," he said significantly, and watched her narrowly.
 And you-all may get killed. I reek- in if yo' want to do anything bad enough you don't mind much what comes after" she answered with a hard little laugh, as she went from the shed.
 "Comel" said Darlington to the ne gro, when he had seen the cabin door close on Bess and her lantern; and they stole across the clearing. Reach ing the bayou side they began a noise less search for the dugeut, which they quickly found, and Darlington turned to George. Can you swim?" he asked.
 Yes, Mas'r."
 Then go down into the water and drag the canoe farther along the shore and for Gods sake, no sound!" he cautioned.
 They placed a second hundred yards betwen themselves and the keel boat in this manner, then he had George bring the dug-out to the bank, and they embarked. Keeping within the shadow of the trees that fringed the shore. Darlington padded silent ly about the head of the bayou.
 .s. --- t---.h -aid hanh-
 ITO Re Continued l