Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-01

between themselves ana the keei Dod
in this manner, then he had Georg'
bring the dugout to the bank, ant
they embarked. Keeping within th'
shadow of the trees that fringed TIT
shore. Darlington padded SILENT!
about the head OF the bayou.
George" he at length said, bending
toward the negro; my horse Is tiet
in the woods on the right hand side o.
the road Just above where you wer'
taken from the carriage last night
you can be at Belle Plain inside of ar
hour"
Look here. Mas'r Ca'ington. those
folks yonder y kin to Boss Hicks. i
he gets his ! Ids on me first dom
you reckon he'll stop my mouth. beer
here heaps Of times fotchin' letters TO
Masr 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 a sight Of business"
when was this-recently?" inquired
Darlington. He was turning this as.
tonishing statement of the slave over
in his mind.
well, no, Mas'r; seems like they
amt 80 thick here recently"
II reckon you'd better keep away
from the big house yet a while" said
Darlington. Instead Of going there
stop at the Belle Plain landing. You'll
find a raft tied up to the shore, 1t be-
longs to a man named Cavendish. Tell
him what you know. That I've found
Miss Malroy and the boy, tell him to
cast off and drift down here. I'll run
the keel boat aground the first chance
get, so tell him to keep a sharp look
out"
A few minutes later they had sep
arated, George to hurry away In search
Of the horse, and Darlington to pass
back along the shore until he gained
a point opposite the clearing. He whis-
tied shrilly three times, and after an
interval Of waiting heard the splash
Of oars and presently saw a skiff steal
out Of the gloom.
Who's there?" 1t was Bess who
asked the question.
Darlington" he answered.
Lucky you amt met the other man, u
she said as she swept her skiff along
side the bank.
Lucky for him, you mean. I'll take
the oars" added Darlington as he en-
tered the skiff.
Slowly the clearing lifted out Of the
darkness, then the keel boat became
distinguishable; and Darlington check
ed the skiff by a backward stroke OF
the oars.
Hello" he called.
There was no immediate answer to
his hail, and he called again as he
sent the skiff forward. He felt that
he was risking all now.
What do you want?" asked a sur
ly voice.
You want Slosson!" quickly prompt.
ed the girl In a whisper.
II want to see Slosson!" said Car
rington glibly and with confidence,
and once more he checked the skiff.
who be you?"
"Murrell sent YOU" prompted the
girl again, In a hurried whisper.
"Murrell-" And in his astonishment
Darlington spoke aloud.
"Murrell?" cried the voice sharply.
sent met" said Darlington quick
ly. as though completing an unfinished
sentence. The girl laughed nervously
under her breath.
Row closter!" came the sullen COM
mand, and the Kentuckian did as he
was hidden. Four men stood in the
bow Of the keel boat, lantern was
raised aloft and by its light they look
ed him over. There was a moments
silence broken by Darlington, who
asked:
(which one OF you is Slosson?" And
he sprang lightly aboard the keel
boat.
I'm Slosson," answered the man
with the lantern. The previous night
Mr.. Slosson had been somewhat under
the enlivening and elevating influence
of corn whisky. but now he was his
own cheerless self, and rather jaded
by the passing Of the hours which he
had sacrificed to an irksome RESPONSE
bility. What word do you fetch from
the captain. brother?" he demanded.
Miss Malroy is to be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with surprising flu
ency.
Say, we're five able bodied men
risking our necks to oblige him! You
can get married a damn sight easier
than this II you go about 1t right
I've done 1t lots Of times" Not un-
derstanding the significance Of Slos-
sons allusion to his own matrimonial
career, Darlington held his peace. The
tavern-keeper swore again with un-
impaired vigor. you'll find mighty
few men with more experience than
me-" he asserted, shaking his head.
But If you say the word"
I'm all for getting shut of this!'
answered Darlington promptly. with
a sweep of his arm. call these pref
ty close quarters!"
Still shaking his head and mutter-
ing, the tavern-keeper sprang ashore
and mounted the bank. where his
slouching figure quickly lost itself In
the night
(To be Continued).