The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-02-09

euo OI tho DenCn, l0ap1ng up ana dOWn
 so as to add weight to power Some
 thing had to give, either the stout
 wood of their improvised lever or else
 the holding of the plank For an in
 stant it seemed likely to be the for
 mer; then, with a shrill screech. the
 long spikes yielded and the board
 suddenly gave. With shoulders in
 serted beneath, the two men heaved
 1t still higher, ramming the bench be-
 low so as to leave the opening clear.
 This was now sufficiently ample for the passage of a 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 ob- structed 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 cient 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 breathless 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 gleam 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. Xvi dently 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 of fresh arrivals. An hour later and 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 1t would be turned loose, and also di- rected, the man lying on his face in the grass felt fully assured. He smiled grimly, wishing he might behold
 0td<CA DBL 1dCS WACA ki0 oAASAA0 discover the flight of his intended vic- tims. But there was no time to lose; every moment gained. added to their chance of safety.
 Are those horses tied there by the shop?" he asked, point ing.
 The negro stared in the direction in- dicated, confused by the shadows by the dim lights.
 q reck'n dey am, Massa Jack; 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:
 "Fo' de Lawd's sake, yer don't actu- ally mean ter steal dem hosses ?"
 Keith glanced about at the others dim, black shadow.
 Sure not; just borrow 'em."
 ouL odt D a hhhSAA JOD IA MAE SO>D Massa Jack"
 Sure it is if they catch us. But we'd be strung up anyway, and we can't be hung twice. Besides there ts B chance for us with the ponies. and i none at all without. An hours start n the saddle, Neb, and this bunch back here will never even find our trail; I pledge you that. Come. boy, stay close with me"
 It was the quiet, confident voice of assured command, of one satisfied 1 with his plans, and the obedient negro. breathing hard, never dreamed of op- position; all instinct of slavery held nim to the dominion of this white mas- ter. Keith leaned forward. staring at the string of deserted ponies tied to the rail- Success depended on his choice, and he could judge very little n that darkness. Men were strag- kling in along the street to their right. ,n foot and horseback, and the sa- oon on the corner was being well pat ronized. A glow of light streamed forth from it's windows, and there was the sound of many voices. But this narrow alley was deserted, and black The fugitive stepped boldly forward. afraid that otherwise he might startle the ponies and thus create an alarm. Guided by a horseman's instinct he swiftly ran his hands over the animals and made quick selection.
 Here, Neb, take this fellow: lead him quietly down the bank" and he thrust the loosened rein into the blacks hand.
 An instant later he had chosen his ,wn mount, and was silently moving h the same direction, although the night there was so black that the obedient negro had already entirely vanished The slope of the land not