Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-07-18
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|llIg in bis face and Bess


ed the girl, as she endeavored to shake
of his hand, bat Darlington drew her
into the shed, and closing the door.
Get his back against It. There was a
brief silence dering which Bess re-
garded the Kentucl1ian with kind Of
stolid fearlessnass. She was the first
70 speak. 81 reckon you-all have come
after Miss Mafroy," she observed
quietly. 3
'Then you reckon right" answered
Darlington The girl studied him
from her level sbrows,
And you-all think you can take
her away from here" she speculated.
'T amt afraideo Of yo' knife --you-alt
might use it fast enough on man,
but not on me- III help you" she
added. Carringtop gave her an I'M
credulous glanea. "'You don't believe
met That would fetch our men up
from the keel boat. No--yo-ali's 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, 8ulIr
throated laughter.
why, yo' hands shaKin' now, mr..
Carringtonl" &
you know me?"
'Yes, / seen you once at Boggs'.~
She made an impatient movement
"You cant do nothing against them
70 men unless / help you. Miss NAL
roy's to go down river tonight;
they're only waiting fo' q pilot--you'
ell's got TO actquickl" aa.I .f# 81
Carrinyton hesitatedsrs as5e $500
why do you want Miss Malroy to
escaDe?" he said a1ssa ggn ts a
The girls mood changed abruptly.
She scowled at him.
Il reckon that's private matter,
Amt It enough 70 you-an TO know
that l do? Tn showing how It can
be done. Them four men on the keel
boat are strangers in these parts,
they're waiting. TO- a plot but they
don't know who be'H be- I've heard
you-all was a riEer-man; what's TO
hinder 20 taking the pilots placer
Looks like yo .was willing to risk yo'
life TO- Miss Nalroy or you wouldn''
be here"
I'm ready,'g said Darlington, his
hand on the door,
mo, you aiD't-1est yet" interpoBed
the girl hastily. Listen to mo first.
They's q dugont tied up bout hun.
dred yards above the keel boat; you
must get that q cross in to the other
side Of the bayou. then when yo're
--g-, 80 100, ~ 1, a,,gr t,,,t,o - .uhsgfio
three times-it's the signal were ex
pectlnE--and III row across TO you in
one Of the skiffs"
Can you see Miss Malroy in the
meantimeH sHaE Coy
III want 10. they's nothin' TO hin
der me-" responded Bess sullenly.
TEL her then.-" began Caring
ton, but Boss Interrupted him,
IT know what 20 want. she amt
to cry out or nothin' when she sees
youAlL 7 got sense enough TO that"
Darlington looked at her curiously
This may be serious business for
your people," he said significantly
and watched iier narrowly.
"And you.all may get killed / reck
in II 20 want to DO anything bad
enough you don't mind much what
comes after" she answered with a
hard little laugh, rs she went from
tho shed.
Comet" said Darlington TO the no
gro, when he had seen the cabin door
close on Bess and her lantern; and
they stole across ths Clearing. Reach
ing the bayou side they began noise
less search for the dugout, which they
quickly found, end Darlington turned
70 George. eau you swim3" he
asked,
yes, Masr"
Then 60 down sinfo the water and
drag the canoe farmer along the shore
and for Gods sake, no sound" he
cautioned.
They placed a second hundred
yards betywn themselves and the kee
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
~ about the head OF the bayou.
George" he at length said, bend
ing toward tse negro; my horse IA
tied IN tho woods on tho rIght-hand
side Of tho road jnst whore you were
taken from the carriage last night
you can We 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 /
been here heaps Of times fotchin' let
ters TO Masr Tom" added George.
who were the letters for?" asked
the KantUcldan, greatiy surprised.
''They was TO that Captain Murrell;
seems like Rim aud Masr Tom was
mixed UP In a sight OF business"
When was this recently7" in.
CURED Darlington. lie was turning
over this astonishing statement of the
slave over in his mind
Well, no, MAST; seems like they
amt so thick here recently"
II reckon you'd better keep away
from the big house yet WHILE" said
Darlington. Instead of going there,
stop at the Belle Plain landing. You'll
find raft tied mp to the shore; 1t be-
longs 10 q man named Cavendish. Tell
him what you llnow--that I've found
Miss Malroy and the boy; tell him To