Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-04-01


set his back against It. There was q
brief silence during which Bess ~
Rarded tho Kentuckian with Q kind Of
otolN fearlessness. She was the first
to speak. II reckon you-all have come
after Miss Marcy" she observed
quietly.
Then you reckon right" answered
Darlington. Tho girl studied him
from her level brows.
And you-all think you can take
her away from here" she speculated.
II amt afraid Of yo' knife-you-all
might use It fast enough on q man.
but not on me. I'll help you,' she
added. Darlington gave her IN in.
credulous glance. You don't believe
me? That would fetch our men up
from the keel boat. No-yo-alrs 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, yo' hands shakin' now. Mr..
Carrington!"
'.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- pilot-you.
alrs got to act qutck!"
Darlington hesitated
why do you want Miss Malroy to
escape?" he said.
The girls mood changed abruptly.
, She scowled at him.
II reckon that's private matter.
Amt it enough TO you.all to know
that l do? I'm showing how 1t can
be done. Them four men on the keet
boat are strangers in these parts.
they're waiting TO- pilot, but they
don't know who he'll be. I've heard
you.all was river-man; what's to
hinder yo' taking the pilots place!
Looks like yo' was willing to risk yo'
life TO- Miss Malroy or you wouldn't
be here"
"I'n ready" said Darlington. his
hand on the door.
."No. you ain't-jest yet" interposed
the girl hastily. Listen to me first.
They's a dugout tied up bout hun
dred yards above the keel boat: you
must get that to cross in to the other
side Of the bayou. then when yore
ready to come back yo're to whistle
three times-it's the signal we're ex
pecting-and III row across TO- you In
one of the skiffs."
Can you see Miss Malroy in the
meantime?"
III I want to. they's nothin' to him
der me-" responded Bess sullenly.
TELL her then began Caring
ton, but Bess interrupted him.
II know what 20 want. She amt
to cry out or nothin' when she sees
you-all. got sense enough TO that"
Darlington looked at her curiousiy.
This may be q serious business for
your people," he said significantly.
and watched her narrowly
'And you-all may get killed. reck-
in II yo' want to do anything bad
enough you don't mind much what
comes after" she answered with .
hard little laugh. as she went from
the shed.
"Cor1e!" 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.
Eyes, Mas'r."
Then go down into tho water and
drag the canoe FATHER along the shore
and for Gods sake, no sound!" he
cautioned.
They placed q 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 CaIngton. 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: I
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 90 thick hero recently"
II reckon you'd better keep away
from the big house yet q WHILE" said
Darlington. Instead Of going there,
stop at the Belle Plain landing. You'll
ind . raft tied up to tho shore: It be-
longs to . man named Cavendish. Tell
him what you know-that I've found
Miss Malroy and the boy: tell him to-
cast of and drift down here. I'll run
the keel boat aground the FIRST chance
get. 30 tell him 20 keep . sharp
lookout"