The new era., 1912-05-02
CHAPTER VI. (continusci.)

thar trail.
CHAPTER VI. (Continusd.)
In the tavern the three mon were
drinking-Murrell with the idea that
the moro Yancy came under the in.
,duenoe Of Slosson's corn whisky the
easier his speculation would be man
aged. Mr.. Yancy on his part believed
that II Murrell went to bed reason.
ably drunk he would sleep late and
give him the opportunity he coveted.
to quit tho tavern unobserved at
break Of day.
when 20 get to feelin' like sleep.
young boss. Mas'r Slosson he says l
show yo' to yo' chamber" It was
slosson's boy Eph.
Yes, you can show me my cham
bsr." Hannibal said. d
Eph secured a tin candle-stick with
. half.burnt candle In 1t and led the
way into the passage back OF tho bar.
They mounted flight Of stairs and
passed down a narrow hall. This
brought them to the back Of the
building, and Eph pushed open the
door on his right.
said, and preceding his companion in
to the room, placed the candle on a
chair.
The moon was rising and Hannibal
went to the open window and glanced
out. For moment he considered the
night, not unaffected BY its beauty.
then, turning from the window, he
moved his bundle and rife to the
foot Of the bed, where they would bo
out OF his way. kicked on his trousers.
blsw out the candle and lay down.
Yaucy had become more and more
convinced as the evening passed that
Marrell was bent on getting him
drunk, and suspicion mounted darkly
n his brain.
Have a drink with mel" cried Slos-
son, giving way to drunken laughter.
The captains dropped out, and l
TOW it's about time TO these here
festivities to come to an end. I'm
thinking some OF going to bed my
SELF" said Yancy. He kept his eyes
fxed on Murrell. He realized that II
the latter could prevent 1t he was
not to leave the bar. He never shift
Cd his glance from Murrell's face.
ScowIing now. the captains eyes
blazed back their challenge as he
thrust his right hand under his coat.
"Fair play don't know who you
are, but know what you want!" said
Yancy, the light in his frank gray
eyes deepening. Murrell laughed and
trsok a forward step. At the same mo-
u,ent Slosson snatched up a heavy
club from the back of the bar and
dealt Yancy murderous blow. A
single startled cry escaped the
Scratch Hitler; he struck out wildly
~ he lurched toward Murrell. who
drew his knife and drove 1t into his
shoulder. Yancy dropped heavily to
the floor.
How long the boy slept he never
knew, but he awoke with a start and
confused sense OF things. 1t was
evidently very late, probably long
after midnight-but where was his
Nncle Bob?
He sank back on his pillow intent
aud listening. A chilling terror that
gripped him fast and would not let
him go, mounted to his brain.
Where was his Uncle Bob? Why
didn't he come to bed? Memories OF
Idle tales OF men foully dealt with in
these lonely taverns flashed through
hts mind.
He slid from the bed, and for a
long moment stood cold and shaking.
hts every sense on the alert. With
infinite caution he got into his trous-
ers and again paused to listen, since
he feared his least movement might
betray him. Next he secured his
pack, and was ready for flight.
Encountered by his belongings, but
with no mind to sacrifice them, he
stepped out upon the shed and made
his way down the slant Of the roof to
the caves. He tossed his bundle to
the ground and going Gown on his
knees lowered his .:ee. letting the
muzzle fall lightly against the side Of
the shed as 1t left his hand, then he
lay fat on his stomach and. feet first.
wriggled out into space. When he
could no longer preserve his balance,
he gave himself a shove away from
the caves and dropped clear Of the
building.