The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-04-04
CHAPTER TX.
The Family on the Raft.

The Family on the Raft.
That would unquestionably have
been the end of Bob Yancy when he
was shot out into the muddy waters
of the Elk river, had not Mr. Rich
lard Keppel Cavendish, variously
known as Long-Legged Dick, and
Chills-and-Fever Cavendish, of Lin
coin county, in the state of Tennes-
see, some months previously and
after unprecedented mental effort on
his part, decided that Lincoln county
was no place for him.
Mr.. Cavendish's paternal grandpar-
ent had drifted down the Holston and
Tennessee; and Mr.. Cavendish's
father, in his sons youth, had poled
up the Elk. Mr.. Cavendish now de-
ltermined to float down the Elk to it's
juncture with the Tennessee, down
the Tennessee to the Ohio, and il
need be, down the Ohio to the Mis-
sissippi, until he found some spot ex-
actly suited to his taste.
With this end in view he had toiled
through the late winter and early
spring, building himself raft on
which to transport his few belongings
and his numerous family.
Thus 1t happened that as Murreu
and Slosson were dragging Yancy
NpWn the lane, Cavendish was 3usti
Epunding q bend in the Elk, quar-
~ of a mile distant. Leaning loose
. against the long handle Of his
keep, he was watching the lane OF
W1ght water that ran between the
hack shadows cast by the trees on
ekher bank.
He heard dull splash, and caught
Raght Of some object in the eddy that
swept alongside. Mr.. Cavendisn
promptly detached himself from the
handle of the sweep and ran to the
edge Of the raft.
It was q face, livid and blood
streaked. Dropping on his knees he
reached out a pair Of long arms and
made q dexterous grab, and his fin
gers closed on the collar of Yancy's
shirt. He drew Yancy close along
side, and pulled him clear OF the wa
Ter. Mr.. Cavendish began hurried
examination of the still figure.
there's a little life here-not much.
POLLY" he called.
This brought Mrs. Cavendish from
one Of the two cabins that occupied
the center of the raft. When she
caught sight OF Yancy she uttered a
shrek.
Her cry had aroused the other deni-
zens of the raft. Six little Caven-
dishes. each draped in single gar
ment, tumbled forth from their shell
ter.
II reckon we'd better lift him on to
one Of the beds-get his wet clothes
of and wrap him up warm" said
Polly.
"Oh, put him in our bed!" cried all
the little Cavendishes.
And Yancy was borne into the
smaller of the two shanties. where
presently his bandaged head rested
on the long pillow. Then his wet
clothes were hung up to dry along
with the family wash, which fluttered
on a rope stretched between the two
shanties.
The sheriff had brought the judges
supper. He reported that the crowd
was dispensing, and that on the whole
public sentiment was not particularly
hostile; indeed, he went so far as to
say there existed a strong uDdercur-
rent of satisfaction that the Jail
should have SO speedily justified it.
self.
Presently the sheriff went his way
into the dusk of the evening, and
night came swiftly to fellowship the
judges fears. A single moonbeam
found it's way into the place, making
1 thin rift in the darkness. The
Judge sat down on the three-legged
stool, which, with shake-down bed,
furnished the jail.
Where was Solomon Mahaffy, and
where Hannibal? He felt that Ma
hairy could fend for himself. but he
experienced a moment Of genuine
concern when he thought of the child.
Then-there was scarcely audi
BILE rustic on the margin Of the woods,
a dry branch snapped loudly. Next q
stea1thy step sounded in the clear
ing. The Judge had an agonized
vision of regulators and lynchers.
The cautious steps continued to ap-
proach. A whisper stole into the
jail. "a ~. r
Are you awake. Price3' It was Ma
hairy who spoke.
God bless you, Solomon Mahany!"
cried the Judge unsteadily.
I've got the boy-he's with me-"
said Mahaffy. 80
God bless you BOTH" repeated tho
6dge brokenly. Take care Of him,
Solomon. feel better now, knowing
he's IN good hands"
-Please, judge It Was Hannibal. 8
{ ''''YeS, dear lad 81 q s.35 .;ts
I'm mighty sorry that ten dollars
] Iuaned you Va btd hut you don't
need ever To- by i back! L were