Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-05-30

LAMBS Sake, You Doan Mean "a
Steal Dem Hosses7"
the iron grating being blotted from
sight. Keith, staring in that direction.
failed to perceive any distant glimmer
Of star, and decided the night must be
cloudy, and that time for action had
come. Guided by Neb's pipe bowl
he touched the boy on the shoulder
Knock out your ashes, and shuttle
about lively with your feet. while /
pry up the board"
In spite OF his slenderness. Keith
possessed unusual strength, yet no ex-
ertion on his part served to start the
lcosened plank sufficiently for their
purpose. Ripping a strip from the
bench he managed to pry the hole
somewhat larger, arranging the bench
itself so as to afford the necessary
leverage, but even then his entire
weight failed to either start The
spikes, or crack the plank. Some al.
tercation began IN the other room, the
sound of angry voices and shutting
feet being plainly audible. It was clear
to Keith that they must take the
chance Of a noise, and no better time
than this could be chosen.
Here, Neb. take hold with tnc. ana
Ueur down-put your Whole weight on
it, boy"
The two flung themselves upon the
end Of the bench. leaplng up and down
so as to add weight to power Some
thing had to give, either the stout
wood of their improvised lever or clss
the holding of the plank For an in
slant it seemed likely to bc.the for.
ner; then, with a shriu screech. the
long spikes yielded and the board
suddenly gave. With shoulders IN
serted beneath, the two men heavod
II still higher, ramming the bench be
low so as to leave the opening clear.
This. was now sufficiently ample for
the passage of q mans body, and
Keith, lowering himself, discovered
the earth to be fully four feet below.
The negro instantly Joined him, and
they began creeping about in the dark
ness, seeking some way out A rudely
laid foundation OF limestone along OBJ
sructed their patch to the open air.
This had been laid in mortar. but of
Inferior quality, so that little difficulty
was experienced IN detaching sufi-
Client to obtain hand hold Working
silently, not knowing what watchers
might be already stationed without,
they succeeded in loosening enough OF
the rock to allow them to crawl
through. lying GREATNESS in the open.
Accustomed as they were to the
darkness, they could yet see little
They were upon the opposite side
from the town, with no CLEAN of lights
visible, prairie and sky blending to-
gether into spectral dimness, with no
sound audible but the continued quar-
rel In the front room of the Jail. Keith
crept along to the end of the building
from where he could perceive the
lights Of the town twinkling dimly
through the intense blackness. Evil
IDENTIFY the regular evening saturnalia
had not yet begun, although there was
already semblance of life about the
numerous saloons, and an occasional
shout punctured the stiffness. A dog
howled in the distance, and the pound
Ing of swift hoofs along the trail told
VI AANSh AL nun ittNCI anu
the single street Of Carson City would
be alive with humanity, eager for any
excitement, ready for any wild orgy,
If only once turned loose. That It
would be turned loose, and also d.
rected, the man lying on his face in
the grass felt fully assured. He smiled
erimly. wishing he might behold
"Black Bart's" face when he should
discover the flight of his intended vic
Tins. But there was no time to lose;
every moment gained, added to their
chance Of safety.
Are those horses tied there by the
blacksmith's shop?" he asked, point
Ing.
The negro stared in the direction in
dicated, confused by the shadows
thrown by the dim lights.
4 reck'n dey am. Massa Jack; l /
done make out fo'"
Then two of them must belong to
us; come on, boy"
He ran forward, crouching behind
every chance cover, and keeping well
back behind the line OF shacks. A
slight depression in the prairie helped
conceal their movements. and neither
spoke until they were crouching to-
gether beside the wall of the shop.
Then Neb, teeth chattering, MANAGED
to blurt out: