The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-07-26
CHAPTER XIX.
Prisoners

Prisoners.
In the face of Betty's indignant pro-
test Slosson and the man named
Bunker climbed into the carriage.
Don't you be scared, ma'am," said
the tavern-keeper, who smelt strongly
of whisky Il wouldn't lift my hand
agin no good-looking female except
in kindness"
How dare you stop my carriage?"
cried Betty, with a very genuine an
ger which for the moment dominated
all her other emotions. She struggled
to her feet, but Slosson put out .
heavy hand and thrust her back.
There now" he urged soothingIy.
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 Slossons 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
off through the night at 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.
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 corntield she
and Hannibal had but lately crossed.
and then on into pitchy darkness
| again. She clung 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 aam!" 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 tmpatiently.
Il won't move until l know where
you intend taking mel" said Betty.
IF / am to die"
| diligently.
You amt. If you don't want to
walk, I'm man enough TO- to tote you.
| We amt far to go, and I've tackled
| jobs Id a heap less heart TO in my
time," he concluded gallantly. From
the opposite side of the carriage
Bunker swore nervously. He desired
to know If 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. He's perfect eel-Ive
| had dealings with him afore!"
You tried to kill my Uncle Bob
DIT luc IdfCiu, yOu anu SoplaAh 4hu
rell. heard you, and I seen you drag
him to the river!" cried Hannibal.
| Slosson gave a start of astonish-
ment at this.
why, amt he hateful?" he ex-
claimed aghast. See here, young
feller, that's no kind of a way TO you
to talk to a man who has riz his
| ten children!"
Again Bunker swore, while Jim told
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, or
will you walk?" he inquired, and
reaching out his hand took hold OF
Betty.
III walk" said the girl quickly
shrinking from the contact.
Keep close at my heels. Bunker,
you tuck along after her with the
boy"
What about this nigger?" asked
| the fourth man.
Fetch him along with u.s. said
Slosson. They turned from the road
while he was speaking and entered a
narrow path that led of through the
woods, apparently in the direction OF
| the river A moment later Betty
heard the carriage drive away. They
went onward in silence for a little
time, then Slosson spoke over his
shoulder.
Yes, ma'am, I've riz ten children,
but none of 'em was like him
trained 'em up to the minute!" Mr..
| Slosson seemed to have passed COM
| pletely under the spell of his domes-
| tic recollections, for he continued
with Just a touch of reminiscent sad
ness in his tone. There was all told
| four Mrs. Slossons: two OF 'em was
South Carolinians, one was from Geor-
gia, and the last was a widow lady
| out of east Tennessee. She'd buried
| three husbands, and | figured we
could start perfectly even." The in
| trinsic fairness Of this start made its
strong appeal. Mr.. Slosson dwelt up
on it with satisfaction. She had
three to her credit. l had three to
mine; neither could crow none over
the other"
CTO BE CONTINUED.)