Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-09-06
cHApTER vi. fcontInued.)


CHAPTER vi. (continued.)
In the tavern the three men were
driuking-Murrell with the idea that
the more Yancy came under the IN
huence of Slosson's corn whisky the
easier his speculation would be man
aged. Mr.. Yancy on his part believed
that If Murrell went to bed reason
ably drunk he would sleep late and
give him the opportunity he coveted,
to quit the tavern unobserved at
break of day.
when yo' get to feelin' like sleep,
young boss, Mas'r Slosson he says
show yo' to yo' chamber" 1t was
Slossons boy Eph.
Eyes, you can show me my cham
ber," Hannibal said.
Eph secured tin candlestick with
q half-burnt candle in It and led the
way into the passage back Of tho bar.
They mounted fight 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.
This heah's yo' chamber" he
said, and preceding his companion In
to the room, placed the candle on
chair.
The moon was rising and Hannibal
went to the open window and glanced
out. For a 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 thSy would be
out of his way, kicked off his trousers,
blew out the candle and lay down.
Yaucy had become more and more
convinced as the evening passed that
Murrell was bent on getting him
drunk. and suspicion mounted darkly
to his brain.
Have drink with mel" cried Slos-
son, giving way to drunken laughter.
The captains dropped out, and
low 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
fixed on Murrell. He realized that II
the latter could prevent it he vas
ed his glance from MurrelTs fa:e.
Scowling now, the captains eyes
blazed back their challenge as y he
thrust his right hand under his coat.
Fair play don't know who you
are. but know what you want!" sa1G
Yancy, the light in his frank gray
eyes deepening. Murrell laughed ans
took a forward step. At the same mo.
ment SIosson snatched up heavy
club from the back of the bar and
dealt Yancy a murderous blow. A
single startled cry escaped the
Scratch Hitler; he struck out wildly
as he lurched toward Murrell, who
drew his knife and drove it into his
shoulder. Yancy dropped heavily to
the floor.
How long the boy slept he never
knew, but he awoke with start and
a confused sense of things. 1t was
evidently very late, probably long
after midnight-but where was his
Uncle Bob?
He sank back on his pillow intent
and 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
his mind.
He slid from the bed, and for q
long moment stood cold and shaking
his every sense on the alert Vita
Infinite caution he got iuto 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 down on his
knees lowered his rife, letting the
muzzle fall lightly against the side OF
the shed as it left his hand. then he
lay fiat 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
euf5i~g