The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-05

the drumming of hi; own heart. He
went on. Il tell you, to save him
self, John Murrell will implicate the
rest OF us; we've got to get him free,
and then, by hell-we ought to knock
him in the head; he isn't fit to live,"
The jail amt built thatn hold
him." muttered Hicks.
"Of course, he can't be held"
agreed Ware. And he'll never be
brought to trial; no lawyer will dare
appear against him, no jury will dare
to find him guilty; but there's Hues.
what about him." He paused. The
two men looked at each other for a
long moment.
Where did they carry the cap
tain?"
IL don't know"
1T looks like the Clan was in a
hell-fired hOle-but shucks. What
will be easier than to fix Hues ?-and
while they're fixing folks they'd bet
ter not overlook that old fellow Price.
He's got some notion about Fentress
and the boy" Mr. Hicks did not con-
slider 1t necessary to explain that he
was himself largely responsible for
this.
How do you know that?' demand
ed Ware.
He as good as said So" Hicks
looked uneasily at the planter. He
knew himself to be compromised. The
J Cfr
an admission from him that Murrell
would not condOne If 1t came to his
knowledge. He had also acquired a
very proper and wholesome fear of
Judge Slocum Price. He stepped close
to Wares side. "Whatll come OF the
girl, Tom? Can you figure that out?"
he questioned, sinking his voice al.
most to a whisper But Ware was in
capable of speech, again his terrors
completely overwhelmed him. IL
reckon you'll have to find another
overseer. I'm going to strike out for
Texas" said Hicks.
Wares eyes met his for an instant.
He had thought of flight, too; was
still thinking of 1t, but greed was as
much a part Of his nature as fear;
Belle Plain was prize not to be light
ly cast aside, and 1t was almost his.
He lurched across the room to The
window. If he were going to act, the
sooner he did so the better, and gain
respite from his fears. The read
down the coast slid away before his
heavy eyes; he marked each turn,
then q palsy of fear shook him, his
heart beat against his ribs, and he
stood gnawing his lips while he gazsd
up at the sun.
do you get what l say, Tom? l
am going to quit these parts" said
Hicks. Ware turned slowly from the
window.
"All right, Hicks. You mean you
want me to settle with you, is that
it," he asked.
Yes, I'm going to leave while 1
can; maybe 1 can't later on said
Hicks stolidly. He added: II am 60
ing to start down the coast as soon
as 1t turns dark, and before it's day
again I'll have put the good miles be-
tween me and these parts"
You're going down the coast7"
and Ware was again conscious of the
quickened beating of his heart. Hicks
nodded. See you don't meet up with
John Murrell," said Ware.
"Tll take that chance. 1t seems a
heap better to me than staying here"
Ware looked from the window. The
shadows were lengthening across the
lawn.
Better start now. Hicks" he ad-
vised.
III wait until 1t turns dark"
You'll need horse"
II was going to help myself to one.
This amt no time to stand on cere-
mony," said Hicks shortly.
"Slosson shouldn't be left In the
lurch like this-or your brothers
folks"
They'll have to figure it out for
themselves, same as me-" rejoined
Hicks.
You can stop there as you go by"
NO." said Hicks. Il never did be.
ieve in this damn foolishness about
the girl, ana won't go near Georges
-"
II don't ask you to go there: You
can give them the signal from the
head of the bayou. All want is for
you to stop and light fire on the
shore. They'll know what that means.
I'll give you horse and fifty dol
lars for the job"
Hicks eyes sparkled. but he only
said:
Make 1t twice that and maybe We
can deal"
Racked and tortured, Ware hesi-
tated; but the sun was slipping into
the west; his windows blazed with
the hot light.
You swear you'll do your part?"