The Pleasantville press., 1912-05-08
aid slosson Murrell glanced about

stood he referred to the state of trade.
He looked from one to the other OF
the two men. AS his eyes rested on
Murrell, that gentleman raised the
first three fingers OF his right hand.
The gesture was ever SO little, yet it
seemed to have tonic effect on Mr..
Slosson. What might have developed
into smile had he not Immediately
suppressed 1t, twisted his bearded
lips as he made an answering move
ment "Eph, come here, you!" Slos-
son raised his voice. This call
brought half-grown black boy from
! about corner of the tavern, to whom
| Murrell relinquished his horse.
Lets liquor" said the captain over
his shoulder, moving off in the direc-
tion of the bar.
Come on, Nevvy!" said Yancy fol-
lowing, and they all entered the tav-
ern.
well, here's to the best of good
luckl" said Murrell, as he raised his
| glass to his lips.
Same here" responded Yancy.
Murrell pulled out roll of bills, one
Of which he tossed on the bar. Then
after moments hesitation he de-
tached second bill from the roll and
F, turned to Hannibal
Here, youngsteT-a present for
| you," he said good-naturedly. Hanni-
bal, embarrassed by the unexpected
gift, edged to his Uncle Bob's side.
"Thank you, SIR said the boy.
Lets have another drink" sug-
gested Murrell
Presently Hannibal stole out into
the yard. He still held the bill in his
hand, for he did not quite know how
to dispose of his great wealth. After
debating this matter for a moment he
knotted it carefully in one corner OF
his handkerchief
| In the tavern the three men were
drinking-MurrelI with the idea that
the more Yancy came under the in
| fiuence of Slosson's corn whisky the
easier his speculation would be man
aged. Mr.. Yancy on his part believed
| that il 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
Slosson's boy Eph.
"Yes, you can show me my cham
ber," Hannibal said.
Eph secured a tin candle-stick with
a half-burnt candle in it and led the
way into the passage back OF the bar,
They mounted fight of stairs and
passed down marrow 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 a
| 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 rifle to the
| foot of the bed, where they would be
out Of his way, kicked off his trousers,
blew out the candle and lay down.
| Yancy had become more and more
convinced as the evening passed that
Murren was bent on getting him
drunk, and suspicion mounted darkIy
! to his brain.
Have a drink with mel" cried Slos-
son, giving way to drunken laughter.
The captains dropped out, and
low it's about time fo' 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 il
| the latter could prevent it he was
| not to leave the bar. He never shift
| ed his glance from MurreIHs face.
/ Scowiing now, the captains eyes
blazed back their challenge as he
thrust his right hand under his coat.
Fair play-I don't know who you
are, but know what you want!" said
/ Yancy, the light in his frank gray
eyes deepening. Murreu laughed and
took forward step. At the same mo-
ment Slosson snatched up 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
as he Iurched toward MurrelI, 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 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 fouIly dealt with in