The Lamar register., 1912-05-15

CudlT.
The moon was rising and Hannibal
went to the open window and glanced
out. For a moment he considered the
night, not unaffected by its beauty,
then, turning from the window, he
moved his bundle and rifle to the
foot Of the bed, where they would be
out Of his way. kicked on his trousers,
blew out the candle and lay down.
Yaucy had become more and more
convinced as the evening passed that
Murrell was bent on getting him
drunk. and suspicion mounted darkly
to his brain.
Have drink with mel" cried Slos-
son. giving way to drunken laughter.
The captains dropped out. and
low it's about time TO- these here
festivities to come to an end. I'm
thinking some Of going to bed my.
SELF" said Yancy. He kept his eyes
fixed on Murrell. He realized that II
the latter could prevent 1t he was
not to leave the bar. He never shift
ed his glance from. Murrells face.
blazed back their challenge as he
thrust his right hand under his coat,
Fair play-I don't know who you
are. but know what you want!" said
.Yapcy. the light In his frank gray
eyes deepening. Murrell laughed and
took forward step. At the same mo-
ment Slosson snatched up q heavy
club from the back of the bar and
dealt Yancy q murderous blow.
single startled cry escaped the
Scratch Hitler; he struck out wildly
as he lurched toward Murreli. who
drew his knife and drove It into his
shoulder. Yancy dropped heavily to
the door.
How long the boy slept he never
knew, but he awoke with q start and
. confused sense OF things. 1t was
evidently very late. probably long
after midnight-but where was his
Uncle Bob?
He sank back ON his pillow intent
and listening. A chilling terror that
gripped him fast and would not let
him 20. mounted to his brain.
Whore was his Uncle Bobf Why
didn't he come to bed? Memories OF
idle tales Of men fouily dealt with in
these lonely tavsrns flashed through
his mind.
He slid from the bed. and for q
long moment stood cold and shaking.
his every sense on the alert. With
INFINITE caution he got into his trous-
ers and again paused to listen. since
he feared his least movement might
betrAy him. Next he secured his
pack. and was ready for flight.
Encountered BY lis belongings, but
with NO mind 70 sacrifice them. he
stepped out upon tho shed and made
his way down the slant OF tne roof to
the caves. He tossed his bundle to
the ground and going down on his
knees lowered his rife. letting the
muxxle fall lightly against the side OF
the shed a. II left his hand, then he
lay nat on his stomach and. feet first.
wrigglsd out into space. When he
could no longer preserve his balance.
he gave himself . shove away from
the caves and dropped clear Of the
building.
~ hs recovered himself he was
sure he heard q door open and close.
and threw himself prone on the
ground. where the black shadow cast
by the tavern hid him. At the same
moment two dark figures came from
about . corner OF the building. He
could Just distinguish that they car
ried some heavy burden between them
and that they staggered A. they
moved.
They passed out Of sight. and
breathless and paisisd. Hannibal crept
about . corner OF the tavern. He
must be sure!
Presently he heard . distant sound
"A splssh-surely It was . splash
A little later the men came up the
lane. to disappear in the direction OF
the tavern. Hannibal peered after
them. His very terrors. while they
wrenched and tortured him. gave him
4 desperate kind OF courage. AZ the
gloom hid the two men. he started
forward again. He reached the end
Of the cornfeld, climbed . fence. and
entered q deadening OF timber. In
the long wet grass he found where
the men had dragged their burden.
He reached down and swept his hand
to and fro-once-twice-the third
time his little palm came away red
and discolored.
There was the first pale Fremont
ton OF dawn In the sky, and a. ne