The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-20

but not on me. IN help you,S she
added. Darlington gave her an in
credalous glance. "You don't believe
met That would fetch our men up
from the keel boat. No-yoaIls knife
wouldn't stop mel"
Don't be too sure Of that" said
Darlington sternly- The girl met the
menace OF his words with soft. full
throated laughter.
why, 20 hands shakin' now, Mr.
Carrlngtonl"
You know met"
"Yes, seen you once at Boggs'."
She made an impatient movement.
you can't do nothing against them
To- men unless ! help you. Miss Nal
roy's to go down river tonight;
they're only waiting To- a pilot-you-
airs got to act quick!"
Darlington hesitated.
why do you want Miss Malroy to
escape?" he said.
The girls mood changed abruptly
She scowled at him.
Il reckon that's private matter.
Amt it enough TO you-aIl 10 know
that l do? I'm showing how 1t 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 river-man; what's to
hinder yo' taking the pilots place!
Looks like 20 was willing to risk yo'
life TO Miss Malroy or you wouldn't
be here"
I'm ready" said Darlington. his
hand on the door.
mo, you ain't-jest yet" interposed
the girl hastily. Listen to me first.
They's 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 exr
pecting-and I'll row across TO- you in
one of the skiffs."
Can you see Miss Malroy in the
meantime?"
IF want to, they's nothin' to hin
der me-" responded Bess sullenly.
Tell her then" began Caring
ton, but Bess interrupted him.
Il know what yo' want. She amt
to cry out or nothin' when she sees
you-an. l got sense enough TO that %
Darlington looked at her curiously.
This may be a serious business for
your people," be said significantly,
and watched her narrowly.
'And you-al may get killed. reck.
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 noise
less search for the dugout, which they
quickly found. and Darlington turned
to George. Can you swim?" he
asked.
Yes, MaSr,"
Then go down into the water and
drag the canoe farther along the shore
and for Gods sake, no soundl" he
cautioned.
They placed a second hundred
yards between 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.
George" he at length said, bend
ing toward the negro; my horse is
tied in the woods on the right-hand
side of the road just where you were
taken from the carriage last night
you can be at Belle Plain inside OF an
hour"
Look here, Mas'r Ca'ington, those
folks yonder is kin to Boss Hicks. Ii
he gets his hand on me first don't
you reckon he'll stop my mouth?
been here heaps of times fotchin' let
tiers TO Mas'r Tom," added George.
Who were the letters for?" asked
the Kentuckian, greatly surprised.
They was TO that Captain Murrell;
seems like him and Mas'r Tom was
mixed up in sight of business"
When was this-recently?" in
quired Darlington. He was turning
over this astonishing statement of the
slave over In his mind.
Well, no, Mas'r; seems like they
amt so thick here recently"
Il reckon you'd better keep away
from the big house yet a WHILE" said
Darlington. Instead of going there,
stop at the Belle Plain landing. You'll
find a raft tied up to the shore: it be-
longs to a man named Cavendish. Tell
him what you know-that I've found
Miss Malroy and the boy; tell him to
cast off and drift down here. I'll run
the keel boat aground the first chance
I get, so tell him to keep q sharp
lookout"