Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-03-14
CHAPTER TX.
The Family on the Raft.

inc OU tUC MATT
That would unQuestionably have
been the end of Bob Yancy when he
was shot out into the muddy waters
Of the Elk river, had not MIR. Rich
ard Keppel Cavendish. varioIsly
known as Long Legged Dick. and
Chlllsand.Feyer Cavendish. OF Lin.
coin county, in the state of Tennes-
see. some months previously and
after Unprecedented mental effort on
his part. decided that Lincoln county
was no place for him
Mr. CGyendish's paternal grandpar.
eut had drifted down the Holston and
Tennessee; and Mr. Cavendishs
father. In his sons youth. had poled
up the Elk Mr.. Cavendish now de-
termlued 20 float down the Elk to It's
juncure with the Tennessee. down
the Tennessee TO thu Onto, and II
need be- down the Ohio to the Mis-.
sissiupi. until he found some spot ex-
actly suited 10 his taste
With this end in view he had toiled
thrcUrh the ate winter and early
spring. building himself raft on
which to transport his few belongings
and MS numerous family.
Thus II happened that as Nurrel!
and Slosson we're dragging YAM
down the lane, Cavendish was Just
rounding a bend In the Elk quar-
ter OF mile distant. Leaning loose
ly against the long handle OF his
sweep. he was watching the lane OF
bright water that ran between the
black shadows cast by the trees on
either bank.
He heard q dull splash. and caught
sight OF some object in the eddy that
/ swept alongside. Mr. Cavendish
promptly detached himself from the
handle of the sweep and ran to the
edge of the raft
II was a face. liyid and blood.
streaked. Dropping on his knees he
reached out pair Of long arms and
made a dexterous grab. and his fin
/ gers closed on the collar OF Yancy's
shirt. lie drew Yancy close along
side, and pulled him clear Of the wa.
/ ter. Mr.. Cavendish began hurried
examination of the still figure.
There's little life here-not much.
/ Polly" he called
This brought Mrs. Cavendish from
one of the two cabins that occupied
the center OF the raft When she
caughs sight oil Yapcy she uttered a
shrek.
Her cry had aroused the other DENT
gems OF the raft. Six little Caven-
dishes, each draped in a single gar
ment, tumbled forth from their shell
ter.
Il reckon we'd better lift him on 10
one of the beds-get his wet clothes
OF and wrap him up warm" said
Polly.
oh. put him in our bed" cried all
the little CavCndishes
And Yancy was borne into the
smaller OF the two shantes. where
presently his bandaged head rested
on the long pillow. Then his wet
clothes we're hung up TO dry along
with the family wash. which iiuttered
on a rope stretched between the two
shanties.
.
The sheriff had brought the Judge s
supper. lie reported that the crowd
was dispensing. and that on the whole
public sentiment was not particularly
hostile: indeed. he went so far as "a
say there existed strong undercur
rent OF satisfaction that the jail
should have so speedily justified II
self.
Presently the sheriff went his way
into the dusk Of the evening, and
night came swiftly 10 fellowship the
Judges fears A single moonbeam
found its way into the place, making
a thin rift In the darkness. The
Judge sat down on the three legged
stool. which, with a shake-down bed
furnished the jail
Where was Solomon Mahaffy, anC
where Hannibal? He felt that Ma
hairy could fend for himself. but h,
experienced a moment of genuin,
concern when he thought Of the child
Then-there was a scarcely audi
BILE rustic on the margin of the woods
dry branch snapped loudly. Next 1
stealthy step sounded in the clear
ing. The Judge had an agonizec
vision of regulators and lynchers
The cautious steps continued 10 ap
proach. A whisper stole into IN,
jail.
Are you awake. Price," II was Ma
haffy who spoke.
God bless you. Solomon Mahary,'
cried the Judge unsteadily.